Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
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 Dubai. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Dubai can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.
Applications to the first ever Dubai Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/dubai.
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.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 8,100 Alumni raise over 1.9BN 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 Dubai, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 5:00am, Nov 11, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/378960
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Kirby Winfield: 10:00pm, Nov 17, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/379384
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00pm, Nov 24, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/379516
- Build Your 2026 Startup Operations Plan: 10:00pm, Dec 01, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/381677
- Hiring for Startups: How to Build Your Team Early: 10:00pm, Dec 08, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/380791
- Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event, with Jenny Fielding: 9:00pm, Dec 10, 2025 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/380913
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (Asia/Muscat): https://FI.co/e/382031
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Dubai include local startup leaders Karan Deep, Sameer Sortur (Founder & CEO , SquareCircle Global), Sandhya Prakash (Founder & Managing Director, Beacon Energy).
Opportunities are flourishing in Dubai. There's now a great ecosystem for entrepreneurs - from crowdfunding platforms to co-working spaces. The Founder Institute can increase an aspiring technology entrepreneur's chance of success by providing the necessary skills and mindset - and a link to the Silicon Valley!
In addition, over 60 of the region’s top startup investors, founders, corporate executives and government establishments have joined the program as mentors to help entrepreneurs in the GCC Fall 2025 Founder Institute program.
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 Dubai and help build the future.
Apply to the GCC Fall 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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