Two of North America's largest tech ecosystems, Silicon Valley and the Toronto / Waterloo corridor, are joining forces to launch companies that will help humanity build a bright new future.
The Founder Institute Silicon Valley and Toronto accelerator programs will run virtually and concurrently, giving Founders unprecedented access to shared resources across both networks such as expert mentors, investors, strategic partners and startup founders.
If you want to help build the post-COVID 19 future, then apply to the Toronto Summer 2026 Founder Institute today.
The FI Toronto and Waterloo programs have launched over 200 startup companies in the corridor over the last 5 years. Led by Sunil Sharma, Managing Director of Techstars Toronto and co-host of the Collision conference, the goal of the united program is to help Founders build technology companies that will positively affect humanity. Two FI Alumni from the most recent Toronto program are now part of the upcoming Techstars Toronto program.
The Founder Institute is one of the leading startup ecosystem builders in the world,” says Sunil Sharma, “we have launched 185+ companies with practically zero budget and startup leaders around the world are starting to take notice.
FI Silicon Valley’s Advanced Technology Accelerator is led by Ryan Micheletti, Head of Global Operations for the Founder Institute, and Mike Suprovici, Managing Director of Portfolio Success and Head of FI’s Fundraising Accelerator, Funding Lab. The Palo Alto based program runs in partnership with NASA Ames Research Center and focuses on building deep tech companies ranging from Space Tech, AI, Quantum Computing and Health Tech.
Now, more than ever, we need our best and brightest working together to solve problems on a global scale,” says Ryan Micheletti, “We must lead the world towards positive change, and there is no better way to do this than through entrepreneurship.
FI Toronto will be awarding a series of partner fellowships to Founders working on technologies that can help address the COVID-19 Pandemic, which will allow Founders to join the 14 week accelerator program for free.
In addition, the program will be hosting several free startup online events in Toronto over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 8:00pm, Apr 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394677
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 8:30pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394696
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 8:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394707
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 12:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394751
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 12:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395706
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395539
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 12:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394625
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 12:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394622
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 12:30pm, May 04, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394943
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 8:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394963
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, May 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395396
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394994
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394654
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395046
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395075
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395099
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395131
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395157
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395184
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395209
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395232
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395258
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395283
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395304
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395327
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395355
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the devoted support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
Join us in Toronto and help build the future.
Apply to the Toronto Summer 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
