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The New Normal means New Opportunities: today, the world needs more entrepreneurs to help lead the way in building a brighter future for all.

The Founder Institute, the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Rwanda. While the Silicon-Valley based network has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, entrepreneurs in Rwanda can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's proven processes to build an enduring company that can survive and thrive in the years to come in an uncertain world.

Applications to the first ever Rwanda Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/kigali

Since 2009, our highly-structured accelerator programs have helped entrepreneurs at the earliest stages grow quickly, know what to do next, and make connections with the largest community of startup advisors.

It all starts with our renowned ‘FI Core’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of FI Core then receive free access to our advanced ‘Founder Lab’ accelerators for years to come, and can get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding. 

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Rwanda, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs all from the comfort of home:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession

The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Kigali include local startup leaders Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., Clarisse Iribagiza, King Nganimana, and Maria Mayanja.

Opportunities are flourishing in Kigali. There's now a growing ecosystem of support here for entrepreneurs - and Founder Institute can increase any aspiring technology entrepreneur's chances of success in Rwanda, by providing the necessary founder mindset, structure, and network - with a direct link to Silicon Valley!

In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor participating entrepreneurs in the Rwanda Virtual 2022 Founder Institute program, including:

  • Adedayo Dayo-Dunmoye: Principal Partner, ThinQfam Consulting Services
  • Amon Munyaneza: Advisor, ESG Analytics
  • Ayodeji Agboola: CEO, Akowe
  • Bade Aluko: Managing Partner, White Hibiscus Capital
  • Blessing Abeho: Applications Engineer, ChargePoint
  • Catherinerose Barretto: Co Founder, Binary Institute of Technology
  • Christophe Mutabazi: General Partner , Deep Tech Africa
  • Clarisse Iribagiza: Founder, DeepTechAfrica
  • David Wafula: CFO, Contour Global
  • Demilade Oluwasina: International Trade & Business Program Lead, African Leadership University
  • George Mwangi: Finance Manager, Christian Life Assembly
  • Israel Bimpe: CEO, irembo
  • Jefferson Rumanyika: Senior Investment Associate, Proximity Ventures
  • Jess Roussos: Co-Founder, BluLever Education
  • Jonathan Okanlawon: Co-Founder/Board Executive , Global Croft Ltd
  • Jonathan Bower: Research Director, Laterite
  • Joseph Abakunda: Chief Strategy Officer, Rwanda Space Agency
  • Katharina Hartwig: StAfrica Project Lead Rwanda, StAfrica
  • Lillian Secelela Madeje: Founder, Niajiri Platform
  • Maria Mayanja: Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University Africa
  • Nasser Kanesa: DSSD Component Manager, GIZ
  • Noorie Karimbocus: Senior Manager, EY Mauritius
  • Opeyemi Awoyemi: CEO, Fast Forward Fund
  • Philip Gasaatura: Country Director, Katapult
  • Richard Rusa: Product Manager, Irembo
  • Ricky Katsuya
  • Stanley Mukasa: Senior Program Manager , CMU-Africa
  • Yvonne Wambui: Data Engineer, Hepta Analytics

  • And many more to be announced.

The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, and the results speak for themselves: FI Alumni have raised over $1.85BN in funding, and are building impactful businesses across 200+ cities and 100+ countries all across the globe (see the FI 50 Report here).

Join us in Rwanda to get funded and build a global business. 

Apply to the Rwanda Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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