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 9,000 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;
Portugal Events:
- Meet the Portugal Startup Ecosystem (In-Person Networking Event): 6:30pm, Jul 16, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392340
Global or Regional Events:
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 5:00pm, Jul 08, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/401620
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 4:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/402038
- Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 6:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/402167
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 5:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/398674
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 5:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/401138
- Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 5:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/398735
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/398704
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 1:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/399853
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 5:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/398793
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 5:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/398277
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 5:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/399054
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, HISOWER
- Alisson Mendonça: CEO & Founder, FAARO
- Altair Emboava de Araujo: Gestor, Hitt - Hub de Inovação Tecnológico de Taubaté
- Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
- Amit Grinvald: Communication Strategist & Pitch Coach, Amit Grinvald Consulting
- 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
- Bernardo Tavares: CTO, Granter
- Bernardo Seixas: CEO and Co-founder, Granter
- 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 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 Digest
- Carmine Masiello: Entrepreneur, Mentor, CTO, 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
- CAROLINE FARIA: Sustainability Specialist, Schneider Electric
- Cesar Thomé: CFO, Levitar
- Cesar Tureta: Founder, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- César Morais, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
- Cintia Mano: Angel Investor
- 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
- Diogo Bhovan: Founder & Lead Investor, DBh Ventures
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Francesco Weiss: Co-Founder & CEO, eRa - Retail Analytics
- Franco Torres: Associate, Brunel Partners
- Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
- 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 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
- Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, Quick Digital
- Joan Isern, Recru
- Joana Pinto: CEO & Co-Founder, Clynx Health
- Joao Pereira: CTO, Build Up Labs
- João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
- João Nunes Rosado: Head of Portfolio, Unicorn Factory Lisboa
- João Afonso: Startup Founder and Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ANJE, Matching Founders
- João Gabriel Chebante: Consultor, Sucellos
- Jon Fath: CEO, Rauva
- Jona S.: Investor, Phira Ventures
- Jonathan Alba
- Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
- Jose Maria Rodríguez Perez: CEO & Founder, CINN
- 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: Founder, School Guardian
- 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 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 Lebre: President, Remote
- Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
- Marco De Biasi: Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director/Conselheiro Fiscal, LGA/Italcam/Mobicity
- 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 Ribeiro Soares: CEO
- 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 Corporativa
- Mayra Castro: Ambassador, Seedstars
- Miguel Amador: Chief Innovation Officer, Complear
- Miguel Alves Ribeiro: Founder and CEO, sheerME
- Misa Nikolic: Co-Founder, Athlon
- 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
- 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
- Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
- Ricardo Oliani: Director, Counselor e Co Founder, ABRAPS / Mosai&CO / Ogliani
- Ricardo Abiz: CEO & Founder, Sppock | polo di innovazione
- Ricardo Pinto Martins: Founder, TRIWI
- Ricardo Carvalho: CTO, Bloq.it
- Rita Costa: CEO, International Career Consultant & Business Partner
- Roberto Soria: AI Transformation | Cloud Solution Architecture | Customer Success Lead | Digital & Business Transformation | Security | Technology, Microsoft
- 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 Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
- Rogerio Augusto Cortes: CEO, Catalisar
- Ronald Goovaerts: Ronald, Magnetic Whisper
- Ruben Lozano: Growth Marketing Manager, Lyssna
- 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
- Sofia Soares: Innovation Ecosystem Builder
- Stevan Markovic: Head of Strategic Growth: LP Community, VC/PE Partnerships & LP-GP Events, AQVC
- 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 9,000 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.
