Now is the time to rebuild: in 2021, the world needs entrepreneurs to lead the way in creating a brighter future for all.
As a result, the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Venezuela. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Venezuela can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company that can survive and thrive in the “new normal” or 2021 and beyond.
Applications to the first ever Venezuela Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building an impactful technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/caracas.
The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding, and build something that matters. So whether you already have a business or are still in the idea-phase, now is the time to act.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 8,900 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Venezuela, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 8:00am, mar 16, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/387629
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 12:00pm, mar 17, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/388870
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 11:00am, mar 19, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/389885
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, mar 23, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/388450
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 12:00pm, mar 24, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/389078
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 9:00pm, mar 26, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/392142
- Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 12:00pm, mar 31, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/392486
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 8:00pm, abr 07, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390095
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 8:00pm, abr 13, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/389410
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 12:00pm, abr 14, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390668
- From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 12:00pm, abr 20, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/392350
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 8:00pm, may 18, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390239
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, jun 02, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390400
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, jun 15, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/393124
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, jul 06, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/392775
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390538
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, ago 10, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/393247
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, ago 10, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/391090
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/391223
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, sep 01, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/392864
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, sep 21, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/391502
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, oct 05, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390814
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, oct 13, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/393377
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 1:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/393002
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 9:00pm, nov 17, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/391361
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 1:00pm, dic 01, 2026 (America/Caracas): https://FI.co/e/390951
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Venezuela include local startup leaders José Acuña, Marco Villegas and Sandy Gómez.
In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Caracas Virtual 2021 Founder Institute program, including:
- Alberto Parra: CEO and Founder, BRIX (www.brix.net.br)
- Alberto Sadde: Founder, Meaningful
- Alberto Vicentelli: Founder & CEO, CarValue
- Alejandra Carreno Garzon: CEO and Founder, Meixter Ltd.
- Alejandra Perez: Founder, Investability
- Alejandra Copeland: Pitch Storytelling Expert, Ok Yes
- Alejandro Echeverría: Cofounder, Tugruero
- Alejandro Ernesto Romero Saenz, Lotux Ventures
- Alexander Gomez: Director Ejecutivo, Innoven by SquareOne
- Alexandra Delsol: Partner, A2 Legal, S.C.
- Alfonso Riera: Director, Front Consulting Group
- Álvaro Miguel Cabrera: DIRECTOR, Founder Institute Valencia
- Ana Abdala: Growth | Product & Marketing Ops, Meaningful
- Andrea Fabianna D'andrea: Abogada, D'Advice Legal
- Andrés Mejía: Partner, LEGA Abogados
- Andrés Urquiola: CEO and Founder, Val-u
- Angela Ocando: Course Director, Platzi
- Antonio Figueroa: CEO and Founder, DonDemand.io
- Antulio Moya: Associate, SquareOne capital
- Aracelis Nass: Senior Business Program Manager, Microsoft
- Ariadna García: Founder & Chief Revenue Officer, WIBO
- Armando Goncalves: CEO and Founder, Apetoi
- Arnoldo Matheus: MBA Associate, 777 Partners
- Astrid Chedid: Regional Director for LAC and Spain, Annual Investment Meeting
- Boris Ackerman: CFO, Fanemotional
- Carlos Jimenez: CIO, AXS FUND
- Carlos Perez: CEO and Founder, Entrein
- Carlos Mosquera: CEO, Solidus Capital
- Carlos Heinze: Co-Founder and Director, Tu Gruero
- Carlos Echeverria: Co-Founder and Director, Fancision
- Carlos Riera: CEO and Founder, meit!
- Carlos Jimenez: Founder & CEO, Usefull Agency
- Carlos Alberto Aguiló Santamaría: Co-Founder, ECOEM
- Carlos Eduardo Vargas: Founder, 1001 Ideas & Inter-American Public Innovation Agency
- Carlos H. Brandt: CEO, Proemprendimiento
- Carolina Gómez: Co-Founder, Invertir en Chile
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Claudia Valladares: CEO and Cofounder, Impact Hub Caracas
- Cody Isabel: CEO, CBAi
- Dan Piestun: PhD, Founder, Director, AguaceR
- Daniel Roitbarg: Innovation Manager, FI Buenos Aires
- David Centeno: CEO, 123Pago
- David Carrasquilla: Founder, Ustartups
- Deep Moteria: Founder , Elluminati
- Delfina Guedimin: Global Market Intelligence Leader, Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Denisse Alvarez: Project Manager, Remeny Pharmaceuticals
- Diana Espino: Managing Partner, SquareOne capital
- Diego Borel: CEO and Founder, Geblix
- Diego Salas: Board Member, VP, Head of Strategic Finance, Yummy
- Eduardo Cannizzo: Senior Associate , Seedrs
- Elena Dolinski: Philanthropreneur, Executive Board Member, BASE Capital
- Eleonor MacQuhae: Socia fundadora, Escuela de Pitch
- Esther Bergel: Lawyer, Antequera Parilli & Rodríguez
- Federica Pérez: Product Manager, Karat Financial
- Federico Fernandez Dupouy: Entrepreneurship, Solar Energy, Finance & Investments, OTEPI RENOVABLES
- Fernando Ríos: Director, Startup Grind Caracas
- Fiorella Torres: CFO, Agros
- Franca Messina: CEO and Founder, BRANDINME
- Freddy Montes: Lead Frontend Developer, dotCMS
- Gabriel Monroy: CEO, Colektia
- Gabriel Reyes: Director Founder Institute Venezuela. FI Alumni Team, GNOSIS CONSULTORES LLC
- Gerson Gómez: CEO and Founder, Ridery
- Guillermo Guzmán: GP, AIDA Ventures
- Guillermo Fernandes: Founder & CEO, Blockpliance
- Gustavo Rivas: Entrepeneur, ERC
- Harry López Mendoza: Estratega de innovación, Lean Agile Coach y especialista en Human Centered Design, Consultor independiente
- Haymee I. Perez Cogle: Managing Director, Founder Institute Luanda
- Horacio Velutini: CEO, Fondo de Valores Inmobiliarios, S.A.C.A.
- HORACIO MORENO: S T A R T U P B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T , I N V E S T M E N T A N A L Y S T , E Q U I T Y O P T I O N S T R A D E R, Independent
- Javier Martínez: CEO & Co-Founder, Base Capital
- Jean Clauteaux: CEO and Founder, Uriji
- Jessica Olivan: Cofounder, Velara
- Jesús Delgado: Product Designer, Munily (YC W22)
- Jesús Patiño: Legal Counsel, CH4 Group
- Johana Duarte: CMO, Uriji
- Jose Acuña: External Advisor, Arca Análisis Económico
- Jose Schmucke: CTO, e4Cash
- José Figueroa: No-Code Developer, Orca Lab
- Jose Miguel Farias: Founder, Finbi
- José Rafael Gamero: Financial Security Operations, Nu Bank
- Jose Ramon Campos Castillo: CEO-Founder, Ozeanic Devices S.L.
- Juan Aguilera: CEO - Managing Partner Mexico, eSourceCapital
- Juan Carlos Fernández Alemán: CEO, Open Insurances
- Juan Carlos Ruiz: Founder, Oplus Blue
- Juan Carlos Berzins: Co-Founder, Atienda
- Juan Carlos Castillo: Partner, MENPA
- Juan Jose Franco: Co-founder and COO, Future_is
- Karen Colin: CEO, Startcly
- Laura Fornasari: Finance & Business Development Consultant and Business Angel, consultora independiente
- Lorenzo Camejo: Co-Founder and CTO, Fancision
- Lucylde Gonzalez: Public Affairs Expert, StartYou
- Luis Santiago: CEO, Pegasi Med
- Luis Derlon: Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual
- Luis Narvaez: CEO, SCI-AI
- Luis Fernando Moncada: CEO and Cofounder, InCresc
- Luz Aimara Morales: Directora General, Centro de Innovación y Emprendimiento UCAB
- Marcel Imery: New York Ambassador, Venecápital
- Marco Villegas: Founder & Director, Arca Análisis Económico
- Marcos Capote: Consulting Manager, OMNIS
- Maria Castro: CEO and Founder, Gigget
- Maria Luke: CEO and Cofounder, Fixme.es
- María Eugenia Chacón: CEO and Cofounder, Solventemos
- María Fernanda Vera: CEO and Cofounder, Wawa
- Mariana Velásquez: Founder - CEO, BRANDDU
- Mariana Jiménez Segura: Deal Flow, Amplifica Capital
- Mariana Suarez: CEO, Bucare Services
- María Victoria Díaz: CEO, Laboratorio de Innovación Digital
- Marisela Cuevas: CEO, NeuroBusiness LLC
- Martha Laura Lopez: Fund Manager, MAYAN CAPITAL FUND
- Matias Mindlin: CEO and Founder, Pinta Libre
- Miguel Melendez: Customer Support and Sales Representative, HQ Rental Software
- Miguel Pérez: CFO, Vikua
- Miguelangel Rivas Vargas: CEO, Mundiluz
- Mike Green: Co-Founder, sirrus7
- Morelia Quintero: General Manager, Impulsa VC
- Nelson Palmero Durán: Socio - Director @ neurainstitute.com, Business Director @ Unikemia
- Nicolas Pacheco: CEO, Clabe Ganadera
- Noelia Rodriguez: ACS Services Sales Representative, Oracle
- Orlando Osorio: CEO & Founder, Meaningful
- Oscar Costero: President of the Board, Wikimedia Venezuela
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Patricia Monteferrante: Coordinadora del Centro de Innovación y Emprendimiento, IESA
- Patsy Salgado: Product Owner, Kavak
- Pedro Berroteran: CEO and Founder, Quipus.App
- Pedro Ornelas: CEO - Cofounder/Mentor, Microlabs/Independent/Newchip
- Pedro Vallenilla: CEO and Cofounder, Cashea
- Rafael Tihanyi: Director of Revenue, Graphite Growth
- Ramon Scott: Founding Partner, InnovaRe Capital México SAPI
- Ramón Escovar: Partner, ESC+G
- Ramón Rodríguez: Co-Founder and Chief Investors Relations, RIDERY LLC
- Randy Cottin: Founder & CEO, Nesta.se
- Raul Perez Gurdian: CEO, Oreka Consulting
- Rebeca Vidal: Ejecutiva Principal, CAF
- Reinaldo Valbuena: Co-Founder, Germinador
- Rene Guerrero: Líder de Innovación e Investigación y Desarrollo, Corporación Ventures
- Ricardo Castillo: Assistant Corporate Controller, Facebook
- Ricardo Fierro: Founder & CEO, PuntoGo
- Ricardo Pedreti: Wholesale Director, Telefonica Vivo
- Roberto Vargas: CEO, Betriax
- Roberto Dumerauf: CEO, Came Pagos
- Roberto Pérez: Marketplace Associate, Finalis
- Rodrigo Franco: Operations Manager, Folionet
- Rodrigo Lepervanche: Partner, Victum Legal
- Rolando Cruzado: President & Founder, PDMA Peru
- Romina Acosta: Consultor - Coach Organizacional - Mentor, Consultora RA
- Rosario B Casas: Co Founder, XR Americas, LLC / Business Creative Partners SAS
- Rosmilar Ceballo: CEO, Atina Energy Services
- Rossanna Ceccato: CEO, REDRESS
- Samuel Gómez Milano: CEO, CoinGroup
- Sandy Gómez: Director, FI Caracas
- Santiago Cervantes: Head of Operations, One Game Studio
- Sebastian Delmont: Principal Engineer, Artemis
- Silvana Liscano: Head of Research , Lunchclub
- Simon Chamorro: CEO-CoFounder, Valiu
- Simon Rausseo, BAM Mentors
- Susie Jaramillo: President and CCO, Encantos
- Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
- Thomas Bardinet: Director, Private Investment Firm
- Vanessa Navarro: Lawyer, Antequera Parilli & Rodríguez
- Victor Charles: COO/CFO and Founder, Coco
- Víctor Hernández: CVO & CEO, HelloSabi
- Wilbert Moreno: CEO, Celeritech
- Yanira Caraza: COO, Startupeable
- Yenni Peña: VP of Operations, Pygma
- Yoel Bello: Cofounder, Orca Lab
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The organization's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in Venezuela and help build the future.
Apply to the Caracas Virtual 2021 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
---
