This is the time to rebuild: the world needs entrepreneurs, perhaps now more than ever, 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 Minneapolis. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Minneapolis 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 this “new normal.”
Applications to the first ever Minneapolis Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building an impactful technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/minneapolis.
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 7,000 Alumni raise over $1.8BN 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 Minneapolis, 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 : 12:00pm, Jul 29, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352497
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Aug 05, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352598
- How to Achieve Product-Market Fit: Insights from Seedstars: 12:00pm, Aug 07, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352599
- What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 12:00pm, Aug 12, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352600
- The Startup Founder’s Guide to Building AI Products Quickly & Easily : 12:00pm, Aug 14, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352601
- Launching a U.S. Company: Insights & Pitfalls to Avoid with Mark Milastsivy: 11:00am, Aug 15, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/353932
- Pitch Lounge: Practice Pitching Your Business Idea to Startup Experts : 12:00pm, Aug 19, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352602
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Warren Packard (Operating Partner at AI Fund): 11:00am, Aug 22, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352603
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with a Venture Capitalist: 7:00pm, Aug 26, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352604
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Aug 28, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352605
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder: 7:00pm, Sep 02, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352678
- What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 7:00pm, Sep 09, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352679
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 12:00pm, Sep 16, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352680
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Sep 23, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352681
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Sep 25, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352682
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Oct 02, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352741
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 7:00pm, Oct 14, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352742
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 7:00pm, Oct 23, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352743
- What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 12:00pm, Oct 30, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352744
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder : 12:00pm, Nov 04, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352805
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Nov 06, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352806
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 7:00pm, Nov 18, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352807
- What is Entrepreneur DNA? Insights from 15 Years of Social Science Research: 7:00pm, Nov 25, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352808
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 12:00pm, Nov 27, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352809
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 12:00pm, Dec 02, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352810
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 12:00pm, Dec 04, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352811
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 12:00pm, Dec 09, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352812
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 12:00pm, Dec 16, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352813
- Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 7:00pm, Dec 23, 2024 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/352814
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Minneapolis include local startup leaders Jason Jacobsohn and Cory Warfield,
Opportunities are flourishing in Minneapolis. 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, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Minneapolis - Chicago Fall 2024 Founder Institute program, including:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Ablorde Ashigbi: CEO, 4Degrees
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Aditya Nath: Head of Sales NA, Mobilisights, A Stellantis Company
- Aidan Salvi: Founder, Angel Investor, Advisor, Technologist, Multiple
- AJ DeLeon: CEO, Innovare
- Alex Glenn: Founder, Automated.af
- Alex Gorsuch: Co-founder, CTO, Ascent Integrated Tech
- Alex Lambert: Venture Capital Manager, mHUB
- Andrew Lee: CEO, Esper
- Andrew Loulousis: Vice President of Strategy and Venturing, TechNexus Venture Collaborative
- Ashish Rangnekar: CEO & Co-Founder, BenchPrep
- Aviv Shalgi: CEO, Solar Simplified
- Bart Carlson: CEO, Azuba
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Blake Allsmith: CEO, Jumpdocs.com
- Bob Gillespie: Managing Partner, REACH Commercial
- Bob Matteson: CEO, Relivable
- Brad Schnitzer: Program Manager, Techstars Chicago
- Brad Spirrison: CEO, Grown In
- Brian Lee: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Roamli
- Cate Brady: Founding Director, Bulk AG Innovations
- Charles Kwon: Managing Partner, Concitor
- Chereesca Bejasa: CEO, Zenevate, LLC
- Chris Sorensen: Founder & CEO, Lake Forest Venture Management
- Chris Foltz: Entrepreneur In Residence, Founder Institute + Responsible Solutions Ltd + IRG 100 CMO's & Change Agents
- Christina Holloway: Executive Coach, Compass Enterprises LLC
- Cory Warfield: Chief Connection Officer, Coryconnects
- Dan Ushman: Founder and CEO, TrendSpider
- Daniel Roberts: Founder, Scout Alarm
- David Culver: Co-Founder, VentureSHOT
- David Douglas: Founder & CEO, Yolobe Inc.
- David Rosen: CEO, Acrelic Group
- David Zaretsky: CEO, Chief Scientist & Co-Founder, Snips Media
- David Hurst: CEO, Orbital Transports
- Derick Jiwan: Innovation and Business Development Manager, WinField United at Land O' Lakes
- Desiree Vargas Wrigley: Chief Innovation Officer & Executive Director of TechRise, P33
- Don Bora: Principal Technology/Owner and Co-Founder, Eight Bit Studios
- Eddie Patzsch: Co-Founder, PartnerPortal.io
- Eric Broughton: CEO, OK2Charge
- Fernando DeLeon: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Innovare
- Garry Cooper: CEO/ Co-Founder , Rheaply
- Gary Gaessler: SaaS Community Builder, Nylas, Co-Founder of CloudElements
- Gavenraj Sodhi: Senior Product Manager, Hitach Vantara
- Gavin Martin: Founding Partner, onPurpose Growth
- Genevieve Thiers: Founder, Sittercity
- George Powell: Founder, CEO, Easy Beauty
- George Khalife: Vice President, U.S. Capital Formation, Toronto Stock Exchange
- Greg Jaros: Founder & CEO, PocketKnock
- Heather Holmes: CEO & Founder, Genivity
- Jacqueline Kuehl: Managing Director, Digital Marketing Concentration, DePaul University
- Jason Randolph: Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategic Growth, Tradier
- Jason Jacobsohn: Managing Director, Propellant Ventures
- Jed Abernethy: Corporate Innovation and Startup Executive, Entrepreneur / Digital Transformation
- Jeff Lyons: Operating Director, City Capital Advisors, LLC
- Jeff Hyman: Chief Talent Officer, Strong Suit Executive Search
- Jeff Weber: Founder, Chalenj
- Jeffrey Coney: Executive Coach and Mentor
- Jeremy Baras: Director of Business Development, Startup Space
- Jill Miller: CEO, Lunum
- Joe Bezdek: Co-founder, DivX, Inc.
- Joe Born: CEO, Aiwa Corp.
- Joe Lee: CEO, Inverse
- John Dallas: CEO, Enclave Academy and Hillview Partners Network LLC
- John Ernst: Chief Growth & Technology Officer, Founder, Advisor, Entrepreneur, Executive
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Karim Djerboa: Business Development Specialist, MAVENTERSE
- Katie Hench: Co-Founder, Infiniteach
- Kelly Fitzsimmons: Co-Founder, Custom Reality Services
- Kevin Taylor: Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Stetson University
- Kim Rubenstein: Cofounder, Chief Research + Product, Compatibility
- Kord Kutchins: Principal, Base-K Venture Partners
- Laurence Hayward: Partner, Independence Equity
- Lavina Ramkissoon: AI Ethics and Technology Policy, African Union
- Louis Morales: President, The Catnip Times
- Marisa Bryce: CEO, Lightning Snow
- Mark Achler: Managing Director, Math Venture Partners
- Marsha McVicker: Founder & CEO, Lyla
- Marshall Stanton: Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, Catalina Marketing Corporation
- Matt Mandell: Principal, PayNerd.com
- Matthew Miller: Director, Product Strategy & UX, Digital Intent
- Matthew Willis: COO Americas & General Counsel, Green Planet Group
- Meghan Hoover: CEO, SceneSave
- Michael Carruth: President/Founder, Fiodan Corporation
- Michael Kramer: Founder and CEO, ManageHub, Inc.
- Michael Kelly: CEO , DeveloperTown
- Michael Carney: President, MWC Accounting
- Michael Lamb: Co-Founder & President, nativeMSG
- Mike Kritzman: Founder & CEO, SkillNet
- Mike Anguiano: Founder, SupplyHive
- Mindi Knebel: Founder & CEO, Kaizan Health
- Mohammad Hossein Tavangar: Director , Founder Institute Germany
- Neil Kane: Founder & President, Illinois Partners, LLC
- Nicholas Freemen: Co-founder & Chief Growth Officer, Innovare
- Nicole Loftus: Founder & CEO, Pop Venture
- Parminder Batra: CEO, TraknProtect
- Patricia Riskind: Head of Global Healthcare, Qualtrics
- Peter Tapling: Managing Director, PTap Advisory, LLC
- Phil Leslie: Managing Partner, Workbox Ventures
- Pinaki Saha: Founder & CEO, Anshar Labs
- Rajesh Voddiraju: Founder & Group President, HealthiPASS Inc
- Reva Minkoff: Founder and President, DigitalGroundUp Inc. and Digital4Startups Inc.
- Rinku Patel: Independent Consultant, Board Advisor
- Ronald Franczyk: CTO & Partner, Red Foundry
- Ross Kimbarovsky: Founder and CEO, crowdspring
- Ryan Jeffery: MR, gener8tor
- Sagar Pande: Co-founder, Blaze Power
- Sanjaykumar Patel: Founder & Principal IP Attorney, EXCELON IP - Patent & Trademark Attorneys
- Scott Issen: President & CEO, Future Founders
- Shaniqua Davis: CEO and Founder, Noirefy
- Shawn Park: Founders Team Associate, P33
- Stephen Meade: Founder & CEO, MonetaPro
- Sukhi Singh: Managing Director, SSS Ventures
- Timothy Kelley: CEO, TeleRay
- Tokiah Kennedy: Head of Platform (S4P), Spotify
- Tom Giles: Founder, Megatron Ventures
- Ujjwal Gupta: Cofounder & COO, BenchPrep
- William Furlong: Founder & CEO, SquareStack
- William Mortimore: CEO, Project Foundry
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- 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 Minneapolis and help build the future.
Apply to the Minneapolis - Chicago Fall 2024 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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