The Founder Institute (http://fi.co), the World’s Largest Startup Accelerator, announced today that it is exploring a new chapter launch in Lisbon this Spring 2014.
In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert [Lisbon photo via Shutterstock] feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 8,100 companies, which have created over 30,000 new jobs. The company's mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
If you'd like to help bring this great program to Lisbon, then fill out an Interest Form. If enough people complete this form by Sunday, March 2nd 2014, then the Founder Institute will formally launch a Lisbon Chapter for the Spring of 2014.
In order to test demand in Lisbon, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events;
- How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 6:00pm, Dec 18, 2025 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/384624
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 6:00pm, Dec 30, 2025 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/384889
- Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 4:00pm, Jan 06, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/383286
- Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 6:00pm, Jan 14, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/386029
- Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 1:00am, Jan 21, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/384374
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 6:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/382186
- Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 6:00pm, Feb 02, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/383947
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 1:00am, Feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/383834
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 6:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/385143
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 6:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/385477
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 6:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/385316
Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Lisbon will be Carlos DaSilva, a successful entrepreneur who has taught at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, and Luis Amado, a serial startup founder who has been coaching entrepreneurs for the past decade.
"The Founder Institute chapter in Lisbon will be a great opportunity for adding a Sillicon Valley start-up community pragmatic and demanding spirit to the similar bridge, diverse culture and leasure offer we already experience in Lisbon.” - Luis Amado
Other successful entrepreneurs who have signed on to mentor founders in the program include:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Adam C Kirst: Founder and CEO, Brev
- Admar Neto: Founder and Cofounder, Northern and Paraty Brazil by UTMB
- Alberto Ferreira: Co Founder, Cervejaria Baden Baden
- Alex Santos: Founder and General Partner, Chamaeleon
- Alexandre Veiga: Strategic Innovation Partner, Elephant Ventures LLC
- Alexandre Dinkelmann: CO-FOUNDER, ONYO
- Alexandre Bezerra: CEO & Founder, Amachains
- Alexandre Uehara: Palestrante e Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa, Innov8
- Alexandre Augusto Mosquim: Gerente de Inovação, Hospital Albert Einstein
- Aline Catiusce: COO, Softsul Sistemas
- Alisson Mendonça: CEO & Founder, FAARO
- Altair Emboava de Araujo: Gestor, Hitt - Hub de Inovação Tecnológico de Taubaté
- Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
- Amit Grinvald: Strategic Communication Expert, Public Speaking Coach, Community Builder & Experience Architect, ..
- Ana Pires: Head of International Partnerships, Softex
- Ana Julia Ferreira: Project Management Officer (PMO), Radix Investimentos
- Ana Paula Zamper: Director, Leading Digital Reinvention program, Saint Paul School
- Ana Paula Vitelli: President and Chairwoman of the Board, British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil
- Ana Teresa Maia: CEO, expressTEC
- Ana Teresa Maia: CEO & Co-Founder, expressTEC
- Andre Almeida: Founder, Business Portugal
- Andre Lin: Expert em Projetos de Inovação Aberta, FENASBAC
- ANDRE TCHERNOBILSKY: Board member, Founder, CEO, Innovation and Impact Projects
- André Costenaro: Director of Business Development and Innovation, OCP
- André Forte: Head of Business Development for the Arts, UPTEC
- André Flórido: Partner, Altaz Capital
- Andrea Monti: Managing Director Impact and Sustainability, Founder Institute
- Andrea Cerqueira: Sales, Marketing and Customer Success Director, Motivart
- Andreea Marinescu: CEO, Tech Add-Venture
- Andries Oudshoorn: angel investor, advisor and board member, Amachains
- Angela Lupi: Co-Founder, Nebula Prima
- Anshul Punhani: Fractional CMO, Subjektiv
- António Santos: Founder, Windcredible
- Augusto Terra, Food Venture Hub
- Benny Goldenberg: Founder and CEO, La Guapa Empanadas Artesanais
- Bernando Tavares: CTO, Granter.ai
- Bruna Marchi: CEO & Founder, Descomplicando o Inglês Jurídico
- Bruna Losada: Vice-Diretora-Geral | Deputy Dean & COO, Saint Paul Escola de Negócios
- Bruno Dequech Ceschin: Co-founder & CFO, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
- Bruno Okamoto: Founder, EUNERD
- Bruno Avillez: Partner, Adsum Business Consultoria
- Bruno Gutman: International Lawyer (Brazil & Portugal) , Lawyer
- Caetano Maffra: Co Founder, Cuia Tech
- Carla De Calvo Dantas: CLV Founder and Lawyer, CLV Advogados
- Carlos Nogueira: Head of Sales, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
- Carlos Souza: Administrador , CSELOR
- Carlos Resende: Founder, Techstars Startup Digest
- Carmine Masiello: Entrepreneur and Angel Investor, KCYMA Studios Ltd
- Carolin Wais: Partner, Plug and Play Ventures
- Carolina Aguiar: Global Scientific Director - Digital Engagement, Specialty Care, GSK
- Carolina Amorim: Ex-Founder , Emotai
- Cesar Thomé: CFO, Levitar
- Cesar Tureta: Founder, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- César Morais, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- Cintia Mano: CEO, COREANGELS
- Claudio Gianturco Gulisano: Managing Partner, Lean Business Research (www.leanbr.org)
- Claudio Las Casas Alelaf: CEO, Argenprom Brasil
- Claudio Santiago: Partner, EscapeTime Brasil
- Claudio Colucci: Managing Director, FocusMarket R C M
- Clovis Castelo Junior: Head of Research /Member of the Board /Lecturer, FATEC USA / ClienteSA
- Cristiana Cruz, ScaleUp Porto
- Cristina Santos: Comunicação e Gestão do Conhecimento de TI, Braskem
- Daniel Dinelli
- Daniela Coimbra Swiatek: Especialista em Inovação, Nowy Swiat Pesquisa e Assessoria
- Daniela Motta: Co-Founder, Clinica Motta & Almeida
- Daniela Simão: Audit Committee Member, BANCO NACIONAL DE ANGOLA
- Daniele Cabral: CEO & Founder, DAAD Transformando Pessoas
- Dawn Chen: Business Angel, COREangels Lisbon
- Denise Pereira: CEO, Denise Curi, Phd
- Diego Perez: Legal, Compliance & Co-Founder, StartMeUp Crowdfunding
- Diego Simon: Founder & CEO, B2B Master
- Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
- Eder Campos: Mentor e Investidor Anjo | CX | Modelo de negócios | Cultura, FDC - Fundação Dom Cabral
- Edson Ferro: Diretor de Operações Empresariais, SIMPOSS Assessoria Empresarial.
- Eduardo Iwai: CPO - Investor, Alice Education
- Eduardo Martucci: Product Owner, Exactaworks · Full-time
- Eduardo Mendes: Senior Sales Executive - Financial Services , SAS
- Elcio Morelli: Founder, Health Angels Br
- Eliana Miadaira: CEO & Founder, Portal do Sorriso
- Elisa Tarzia: Co-Founder & Vice President of the Board of Directors, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
- Ely Dirani: Associate Professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
- Emily Coelho: Head da Jornada do Empreendedor , SMU Investimentos
- Erica Fridman Stul: Managing Partner, Sororité
- Fabiana Alves: Marketing & Communications Manager, Comgás
- Fabiano Porto: Executive Director, Global Regeneration Institute
- Fabiano Rangel: Head : Organizational and Institutional Development , Leão Alimentos e Bebidas
- Fabio D´Novaes: Co-Founder e CEO, Born Global Partner
- Fabio Frazão: Founder and Director, Mexeri.ca
- FABIO TOMAZ: COO, ENERGY REVIEW
- Fábio Póvoa: Managing Director, Smart Money Ventures
- Fábio De Faria: Advogado, N Partners
- Fabiola Benvenuti: Human Resources Advisor, Dentsu
- Fahima Farahi: Co-Founder & CEO, WiseWorld.ai
- Felipe Brasileiro: co-founder & CEO, Parafuzo
- Felipe Dos Santos: Co-Founder, Play2sell
- Felipe Wasserman: PARTNER , BABUXCA
- Felipe Giannetti: Managing Partner, StartSe
- Felipe Maruyama: Diretor de Operações, programas e projetos, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, Business Angel & Coach, Founder Institute Germany
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, convestec GmbH
- Fernando Zago: CEO, Grupo Zago: Banco Afro ; IVUUP ; Levee ; ÉSSE ; Zago Consultoria, Engenharia e Meio Ambiente
- Fernando Jardim: President, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
- Filipa Pinto de Carvalho: Co-Founder , AGPC / RedBridge Lisbon / Here Partners
- Flavio Galvão: CEO & Founder, ECP Ambiental / Canal Poluição
- Francesco Weiss: Co-Founder & CEO, eRa - Retail Analytics
- Franco Torres: Associate, Brunel Partners
- Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
- Franklin Ribeiro: Head Startup Ecosystem, Investe Sao Paulo
- Gabriela Accorsi: CPO e Co- Founder , La Decora
- Gabriela Marques Teixeira: Head of Digital Solutions, Stefanini
- Gianfranco Vento: CEO , Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino
- Gil Belford: Director, Corporate and Business Development, City Storage Systems
- Giovanna Claro: Founder & General manager, eHeadset
- Gonçalo Consiglieri: COO & Co-Founder, Visor.ai
- Guilherme Cabral: Founder/CEO, Vacalabs
- Guilherme Yata: Founder-CEO, S3 Projects
- Guilherme Terrengui: Founder, Sumsub
- Gustavo Maierá: BizDev, mesttra
- Gustavo Bakai: CEO, Voit
- Henrique Macedo: Socio/Partner, GAAP Consultoria & Corpservices Group
- Henrique Cruz: Head of Growth & AI, ROWS
- Henry Suzuky: CEO & Founder, Axonal Consultoria Tecnológica
- Humberto Matsuda: Managing Partner, Matsuda Invest
- Humberto Pereira: Co-Founder and CEO, Rows
- In Hsieh: Empreendedor especialista em Ecommerce
- Isabel Carapeta: Founder & CEO, Simplifyer
- Isaque Gabriel Da Silva: Co-founder e CLO , ENERGY REVIEW
- Ivan Germanov: Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute
- Ivan E. Germanov: Certified Coach, Founder Institute
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Jean Gatt: Co-founder & CTO, Shortimize.com
- Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, Quick Digital
- Joana Pinto: CEO & Co-Founder, Clynx Health
- João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
- João Nunes Rosado: Head of Portfolio, Unicorn Factory Lisboa
- João Afonso: Startup Founder and Head of Business Development - CCI, UPTEC
- João Gabriel Chebante: Consultor, Sucellos
- Jon Fath: CEO, Rauva
- Jonathan Alba
- Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
- Jose Maria Rodríguez Perez: CEO & Founder, CINN
- Juliana Gavini: Especialista de desenvolvimento industrial, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
- Junior Borneli: CEO e Fundador da StartSe, StartSe
- Lais Fonseca Alves: Founder & CEO , Precavida
- Laura Gurgel: Founder, Clube de Negócios
- Laurent Serafini: CEO
- Leandro Hernández: Founder, Cuida.Life
- Leo Gmeiner: Program Director, Founder Institute Brasil
- Licinio Januario: Co-Founder, WOLO TV
- Lilian Natal: Head of Communication, DISTRITO
- Lilian Natal: Co-founder
- Lital Aravot: Program Director, Aetion
- Louise Radoor Larsen: Fractional CMO & GTM Advisor, Momentum Marketing
- Lucas De Lima Neto: Executive Diretcor MME & ESG / Partner, Empírica
- Lucas Galvanini: Co-Founder & Sales Director, KnowCode
- Lucas Oliveira: Portfolio Manager, COREangels Atlantic
- Luis Valente: CEO and Co-Founder, iLoF
- Luis Valent
- Luis Felipe Adaime: CEO & Founder, Moss.Earth
- LUIZ EDUARDO LEAO: Gerente de Tecnologias Educacionais, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
- Luiz Fernando Silva: Especialista em Gestão Estratégica, Ltrainning Planejando Ideias e Negócios
- Lurdes Gramaxo: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
- Manuel Rodrigues: Legal, OW Ventures
- Marcelo Costa: Management Advisor, Valoração Consultoria
- Marcelo Vivacqua: Founder and CEO, Associação Brasil Internacional de Inventores, Cientistas e Empreendedores Inovadores - ABIPIR
- Marcelo Bella: C-Level, Mentor e Investidor Anjo, Picpay
- Marcelo Lebre: President, Remote
- Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
- Marcio Mendes: CEO & Founder, Marketing Sustentável
- Marco De Biasi: Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director, FI/LGA /LAAS
- Marcos Olmos: Head of VC, VOX Capital
- Marcos Cacalis: Head of Innovation and Optimization, Kashimir Consultoria e Gestão Empresarial
- Marcos Avila: CEO & Founder, THERA CONSULTING
- Marcus Maida: socio, PMM
- Maria Vilar: CEO, Immersiv
- Mariana Guarini: Membro do Conselho de Administração , MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
- Mario Alves: Co-Founder & CEO, TAIKAI & LayerX
- Mario Rodrigues: CEO , IBNVendas
- Maurizio Calcopietro: Managing Partner, Core Angels Atlantic
- Mayra Motta: Sócia, Mayra Motta Advocacia
- Mayra Castro: Ambassador, Seedstars
- Melquizedeque Macêdo
- Miguel Amador: Chief Innovation Officer, Complear
- Miguel Alves Ribeiro: Founder and CEO, sheerME
- Misa Nikolic: CEO, Resonator – Creative Tech Hub
- Monica Lobenschuss: CEO, Vendas Exponenciais
- Nando Gaspar: CEO, Conexão Empreendedora
- Nara Iachan: CMO, Cuponeria
- Neusa Andrade: CEO & Founder, Indiip- Intelligent Drug Information and knowledge Integration Platform LLC
- Nima Kaz: Co Founder, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
- Nuno Fernandes: Co-Founder and CEO, Dig-IN
- Nuno Madeira do Ó: Managing Director, Sciencehouse Consultancy
- Nuno Fernandes: CEO & Co-Founder, DIG-IN
- Odete Afonso Duarte: Corporate Communication Branding , ESG Executive, Consultant
- Otávio César Cafundo De Moraes: CEO , Brasil Diverso
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Pâmela Ponce: CEO, IAPRENDI & ELA S/A
- Pâmela Ponce: Founder e CEO, IAPRENDI
- Patricia Lacerda: CEO & Founder, FOL Solutions
- Paula Machado: CEO & Founder, Meister Safe System, Look2You
- Paulo Faria: CEO & Founder, OTSE Finance
- Paulo Carneiro: Manager, Craton-Roche
- Pedro Henriques: Founder and CEO, BRIDGE IN
- Pedro Almeida: Venture Capital Investor, Armilar
- Pedro Rocha: Founder and CEO, Sagescan
- Pedro Grilo: Investment Manager, Portugal Ventures
- Pedro Coutinho: CEO, Founder and Investor, WATERDOG
- Peixoto Accyoli: Chief Executive Officer, RE/MAX Brasil
- Rafael Sampaio: CEO Brasil, NovaRed
- Rafael Campos: VC Portfolio Manager, VOX Capital
- Rafael Angelo Nanis: Coordenador Growth Marketing, Atmosfera Ventures
- Raquel Molina: CEO, Futuriste Tecnologias Inovadoras
- Reinaldo Azevedo: CEO, ENERGY REVIEW
- Renan Basso: CTO | Digital Strategist | Startup Builder, MB LABS
- Renata Bonaldi: CEO & Founder, Sleep Up
- Renata Tomazeli: CEO & Founder, Youfeel
- Renata Marques: CIO Latin America, Natura &Co
- Renato Simon: Managing Partner, LAAS Latin American Angels Society
- Renato Alckmin Lombardi: CEO , REAL INTELLIGENCE Consultoria e Gestão Empresarial
- Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
- Ricardo Oliani: Director, Counselor e Co Founder, ABRAPS
- Ricardo Abiz: CEO & Founder, Sppock | polo di innovazione
- Ricardo Pinto Martins: Founder, TRIWI
- Rita Costa: CEO, International Career Consultant & Business Partner
- Roberto Soria: AI Transformation | Cloud Solution Architecture | Customer Success Lead | Digital & Business Transformation | Security | Technology, Microsoft
- Robson Del Fiol: Channel & Franchising Director, Skyone
- Rodrigo Bindes: CEO e Co Founder, Nutrifresh
- Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo: Founder/CEO, ISBrasil e IBND
- Rodrigo Oliveira: CRO, StayApp
- Rodrigo Oliveira: CEO e Diretor de Estratégias, Plástico Virtual, Blob e Álamo Inteligência Comercial
- Rodrigo Olmedo: Director, uGlobally
- Rodrigo Bombonati S. Moraes: Deputy Director, Samambaia Technological Park - PTS-UFG
- Rodrigo Saad Rodrigues: CEO & Founder, Monitoragua
- Rodrigo Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
- Rodrigo Grossi: Founder and COO, Dynadok
- Rogerio Augusto Cortes: CEO, Catalisar
- Ronald Goovaerts: Ronald, Magnetic Whisper
- Rui Gouveia: CEO, Build Up Labs
- Sanderson Pajeú: Founder & CEO, naPorta
- Sandra Arango: FMCG International C-Level Executive, Ex-P&G/KHC/Reckitt
- Sara Gonçalves: Founder & CEO, Actif
- Sean Tierney: Founder, Problemattic
- Sedef Sahin: Founders’ Mentor | Unlocking Leadership & Growth, Talent Based Co.
- Semi Kim: Sr. Fintech Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Sergio Escobar: CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures, Managing Director, Lalotte Ventures
- Sergio Emanuel Cusmai: CEO and Founder, AIpha-G
- Simone De Carvalho Soares: Founder & Executive Director, Simone Soares Comunicação e Sustentabilidade
- Sofia Jacob Soares: Innovation Ecosystem Builder, Lisboa Innovation
- Tais Scaroni: Especialista em Inovação Aberta, Cogna
- TATIANA YOSHIDA: Innovation and Technology Coordinator, Grupo Energia
- Thiago Pereira: Founder, Advisor BPO
- Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
- Thiago Vieira: CEO, Cybertech
- Tiago Martins Oliveira: Co-Founder, Lev Gestão Empresarial
- Tiago Silva: CTO, Closum
- Tijana Momirov: Startup Consultant - Product Management, StartupSetup
- Tim Ward: Founder , Bid Buddy Pro
- Tomás Penaguião: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
- Vando Ribeiro: CEO, Grupo 2MI
- Vanessa Abrahão: Head of Customer Success , Groove Marketing de Incentivo
- Victor Lugli: Managing Partner, Lugli Group
- Wilian Silva Vieira: CEO , Pitaco Criativo
- And many more to be announced.
Help bring the Founder Institute to Lisbon and fill out an Interest Form today.
About The Founder Institute
The Founder Institute (www.FI.co) is the world’s largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, helping aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies. In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising startup entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 8,100 companies, which have created over 30,000 new jobs. The company's mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
The Founder Institute was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur Adeo Ressi.
