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Since launching in Melbourne in 2014, the Founder Institute has helped launch several promising companies in the region, like CoinCraft, Echo Wearables, and KidUpTo, and our efforts in Melbourne have also been profiled by several high profile media channels.

Now, the Founder Institute is exploring launching a new semester in Melbourne this year.

If you'd like to help bring a new semester to Melbourne, then fill out an Interest Form, or attend a free event. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (Feb 15, 2027), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a new 2016 semester.

The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program for talented and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are serious about launching a startup, the Founder Institute can give you the structured process, constant feedback and evaluation from expert mentors, and global network of entrepreneurs you need to start an enduring company. In addition, the Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.

In order to test demand for a Melbourne - Australia Spring 2027 semester, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Melbourne:

Melbourne Events:

  • Founder Night Out: Meet Melbourne’s AI Founders, Investors and Operators: 6:30pm, Oct 08, 2026 (Australia/Melbourne): https://FI.co/e/405076

Global or Regional Events:

Leaders of the world’s fastest-growing startups have used the Founder Institute to transition from employee to entrepreneur, test their startup ideas, build a team, get their first customers, raise funding, and more - like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, and Appota. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

Running the Founder Institute's efforts in Melbourne include local startup leaders Ian Hopkinson (Founder, Mad Scientist Digital) and James Kyd (Advisor, LaunchVic).

Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Melbourne Founder Institute program include:

  • Alex Sy: Managing Director, ATLAS Business Consulting and Mentoring Services
  • Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group

  • And many more to be announced.

 

Help bring a new Founder Institute semester to Melbourne and fill out an Interest Form today.

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