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 South Carolina. While the Silicon-Valley based network has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, entrepreneurs in South Carolina 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 South Carolina Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/columbia.
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.
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in South Carolina, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs all from the comfort of home:
- Corporate Innovation in Action: How to Overcome Roadblocks: 1:00pm, May 08, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371092
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 1:00pm, May 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366478
- Future-proofing CPG Brands: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth: 10:00am, May 15, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371042
- Lessons Learned Raising from Top Silicon Valley VCs: AMA with Rajeev Behera: 12:00pm, May 29, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371284
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370638
- How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 1:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371407
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370781
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371834
- Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 1:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372035
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371675
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370400
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to South Carolina include local startup leaders Angela Coxe (Beaufort Digital Corridor), Jess OBrien (Beaufort Digital Corridor Foundation), Rich Conte.
Opportunities are flourishing in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina, 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 South Carolina 2023 Founder Institute program, including:
- Angela Coxe: Program Manager, Beaufort Digital Corridor
- Chris Heivly: Managing Director, Build The Fort
- Chuck Hannon: Startup Mentor, Don Ryan Center for Innovation
- Ed Jopeck: President, Next Third Ventures
- Eric Siano: Managing Director, Fractional CMO, Blue Leopard LLC
- Eric Thome: Director, Venture South
- Gary Baldwin: Co-Founder, Medical Access Partners
- Henrik De Gyor: Co-Founder, My DAM Services
- Herbert L. Drayton III: Managing Partner, HI Mark Capital
- Jamie Dement: Director of Technology & Cybersecurity Initiatives, SC Competes
- Jamie Fleming: Founder, 1212 Design
- Jason Loia: Chief Growth Officer, Webscale Networks
- Jess O'Brien: Executive Director, Beaufort Digital Corridor
- Jim Stritzinger: CEO, Revolution D, Inc
- Joe Floyd: Co-Founder & CEO, Swaggy
- Katherine Butkevich: Founder | CEO, Realign Advisors
- Lee Macilwinen: Director, SC Launch, SCRA
- Matt D'angelo: Client Services Partner, IFS North America
- Raquel Padgett: Executive Director, EforAll Lowcountry
- Rick Case: Founder, CaseFactor
- Serephina Ha: Managing Director, Founder Institute - Los Angeles
- Shane Snipes: Founder, Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Program (CEEP)
- Tim Johnson: Co-Founder, CEO, Longship Legal, LLC
- 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 South Carolina to get funded and build a global business.
Apply to the South Carolina 2023 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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