The Founder Institute (http://FI.co), the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, announced today that it is exploring a new semester launch in Nairobi in 2015.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 9,000 companies - including fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more. 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 a semester to Nairobi, then fill out an Interest Form. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (May 18, 2026), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a 2015 program.
The Founder Institute is a part-time, four-month program where promising entrepreneurs can "learn by doing" and launch a company through structured training courses and expert feedback from business mentors. Plus, you are not required to quit your day job to participate, so you can begin building a business around your ideas without putting your livelihood at risk.
In order to test demand for a 2015 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events:
- [Restricted] Kenya – South Africa 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (Online Networking Event): 7:00pm, May 11, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/396463
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Stop Guessing: How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days : 7:00pm, May 12, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/396695
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 3:00pm, May 18, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/390342
- How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors with Lubna Forzley: 7:00pm, May 19, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/396365
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 7:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/395425
- Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 7:30pm, Jun 01, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/398121
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 7:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/390502
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 3:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/388511
- What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 7:00pm, Jun 09, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/396197
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 3:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/393234
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 3:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/393531
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 7:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/390640
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 3:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/393357
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 7:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/391192
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 3:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/391324
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 7:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/392974
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 3:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/391604
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 3:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/390916
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 7:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/393487
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 8:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/393111
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 4:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/391474
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 8:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Africa/Nairobi): https://FI.co/e/391052
Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Nairobi are Collins Mugodo (Founder/CEO, Ideas Spot), Jeremy Riro (Management Consultant, Open Capital Advisors), and Judith Owigar (Co-Founder and Operations Director, Akirachix).
At the Founder Institute, founders not only get the skills required to transition from employment and pursue their dreams, but also create valuable networks that help their startups to thrive thereafter.” - Jeremy Rio
Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Nairobi Founder Institute program include:
- Abdulaziz Omar: Founder and CEO, SaveApp Limited
- AGGREY ANDUURU: A, ESSENTIAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
- Agnel Nadida: Managing Partner, Ndindi and Nadida Advocates LLP
- Ann Gitari: Entrepreneurship Skills Development Trainer, The Writing Agency Kenya
- Anne Salim, Qhala
- Antony Kimani: Investor | Entrepreneur | Newton Venture Fellow
- Benson Maweu: Founder, Yuuji Shopping Ltd
- Bolanle Afuye: Head of Digital Services, TPAY MOBILE
- Brian Maphosa: Business Coach , TBD NA NA
- Brian Mogeni: CEO and Co-Founder, https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmogeni/
- Brian Ngaira: UX Researcher & Developer, Made by People
- Bruce Lucas: Founder, Olotu Square
- Cephas Karanja: Digital Transformation Director, ADK Technologies
- Cynthia Mburugu: Ms , Optimum Options Limited
- Delila Kidanu: Co-Founder & COO, Koa Technology
- Denis Karema: CEO, SokoFresh
- Dr Mohsin Zahid: CEO, Neuron Solutions
- Edwin Alum: CEO, Mula Export
- Erick Mokaya: Founder, Mwango Capital
- Eunice Nyandat: CEO, MBM Labs
- Evans Wadongo: Partner, Wadson Ventures
- Faith Chege: Portfolio Coordintor, EEP Africa
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Fatuma Dabassa: Founder-CEO, Urembo hub limited-https://urembohub.com/
- Folarin Salami: Information Security and Systems Lead, IDInsight
- Gbenga Owolabi: Mr., Pendaxia Limited
- Glenn Digollo: Co-Founder & CSO, PeerCarbon
- Grace Kabicho: General and Finance Manager, Izon Production Limited
- Haris Ali: Founder and CEO, Vertechx Technologies
- Harry Mwangi: Vice President of Sales, EGM Securities
- Ife Oyedele: Co-founder, Kobo360
- Ivan Ivanka: Founder & CEO, Markster
- Jan Okonji: Founder, Business Growth Solutions
- Joanne Mutsekwa: Ms, Daylio|T Advisory
- Joe Ndirangu: Senior Legal Officer, Equity Group Holdings Plc and Equity Group Foundation
- Joel Wanjohi, Equator
- Jonathan Okanlawon: Co-Founder/Board Executive , Global Croft Ltd
- Kanyi Ohawa: Director, All and Sundry Ltd
- Ken Oloo: Founder and Team Lead, Filamujuani
- Kessiena Majemite: Founder/Managing Partner, CeedCap
- Kirumba Mwaura: CEO, MSCA ltd
- Kitawa Wemo: Founder, MAMA Social Ventures
- Lanre Aina, ATHLST CO. LLC
- Lemuel Abishua: Product Manager, The Room
- Leonard Korir: CEO, MobiDev
- Lewam Kefela: Investment Director, Partech Partners
- Lilian Wambua: Operations Manager, Crosswise Works
- Lincoln Njogu: Founder, Devs Kenya
- Linus Wahome: CEO, ManPro
- Lujain Abbas: Legal and Compliance Lead, Lami Technologies Limited
- Mandela Winnie: Product Associate, Amref Health Africa
- Maureen Macharia: CEO, Spindle Design
- Meghan Mc Cormick: Co-Founder & CEO, OZE, & Dare to Innovate
- Mercy Kimalat: CEO, ASSEK
- More Argwings-Kodhek: Director of Marketing, Marketing Maasai
- Muthoni Wachira: Founder and CEO, ABC Studio
- Mutugi M'Narobi: Managing Director, Made by People
- Nadia KANOUN: CEO, Senior Adviser, Trainer & Coach, IHSCEN for Startups
- Ndambuki Mutie: Senior Lead-Talent Acquisition, M-KOPA
- Njoki Munene: Community & Social Media Manager, Sahihi Africa
- Noreen Likimani: Program and Project Manager, MBM Africa
- Nurudeen Elias: Chief Operating Officer, Robert & John Ltd.
- Ochieng' G. Akatch: Partner, MO Advocates LLP (MO Legal)
- Oliver Wainaina: Lead Software Engineer, Sauti Salama
- Olusola Amusan: Founder/CEO, Coven Works
- Oluwatomisin Ashimolowo: Strategy Consultant, Profectus Capital
- Ozioma Agaecheta: CEO , Jupytec Innovation Labs
- Paul Breloff: CEO / Co-Founder, Shortlist
- Paul Angatia: Commercial Director, Zeno Consulting Services
- Paul Kioi: Group Information Systems Manager, FCS
- Peter Ongera: Founder Director, African Homestay and Safaris
- Rachel Ndungu: CEO, Biashara Africa
- Rashaan Campbell: Senior Advisor, Director of Business Development, Pumapa Capital
- Reynolds Mwangi Mungai: Co-founder & CEO, Lukhu Inc.
- Rohan Vaidya: General Manager, Elluminati Inc
- Rose Mary Nakasenge Bbosa: Founder, MARBO GLOBAL INVESTMENTS LTD
- Sean Karanja: Founder, Project Exponential Kenya
- Sheilah Birgen: CEO, The CoRD
- Sheillah Nyang'ara: Founder and CEO, SNN-Realtor
- Shiro Theuri: VP Engineering, Sendy
- Somet Kipchilat: Head of Product, Poa Internet
- Stella Odiwuor
- Stephen Ojji: Principal, Nocopycats LLC
- Sumaiyah Omar: Advocate, Mediator and Arbitrator , IPOA
- Tesh Mbaabu: Founder, Mesozi Group
- Tessie Omulo: Director, Female Founders Kenya
- Tim Dagori: Practice Lead, Technology and Society Practice , Co-creation Hub
- Timame Wanyoike: ., Liquid Intelligent Technologies
- Timothy Kotin: CEO & CoFounder, Superfluid Labs
- Tirus Wanyoike: Lead Solution Architect & Customer Experience, BCK
- Tobi Lafinhan: Co-Founder, Venture for Africa
- Tsedai Chagwedera: Principal, Echovc Partners
- Vennela Subramanyam: Product Manager, Google
- Vincent Aberi: Founder , Hillcroft Technologies
- Wakai Akino: Senior Consultant, Aliquot Ltd
- Wambita Okanya: CEO, Koho Communications
- Wanjiru Chabeda: Independent Consultant, Independent Consultant
- Yobdar Bakri, The Executive Office of East Africa
- And many more to be announced.
Help bring the Founder Institute to Nairobi 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.
(Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya image by Shutterstock)
