TheFunded Founder Institute (FFI or the Institute) helps founders launch innovative companies by providing training, services, and company-building assignments - such as incorporating the business, filing provision patents, and setting up books and records. The Institute offers a four month program, called a Semester, hosted initially in the Bay Area and then expanding to locations around the world. The program participants, the Founders, receive extensive training in weekly sessions overseen by three Mentors – two seasoned CEOs and one domain expert for each topic.
The driving beliefs behind the Institute are that (1) great founders are often overlooked by the current entrepreneurial ecosystem, and that (2) innovative startups have a dramatic positive effect on the global economy. Startup companies consume resources intelligently, put people to work in efficient ways, and produce market driven products at lower costs. Helping smart people start new companies should, in fact, help the global economy.
TheFunded Founder Institute has launched this blog to provide regular updates on the 2009 summer semester. The blog will be updated with information on Mentors, Sessions, venues, and partnerships.
Here are some upcoming milestones for the Institute:
- On April 17th, 2009, the Founder application form will be launched at www.founderinstitute.com. Applicants can preapre the materials ahead of time by reviewing the information under Founder Applications in the nvaigation.
- Founder mentorship Sessions will begin on either May 12th, 2009, or May 19th, 2009 in the Bay Area, depending on the number of applications and the efficiency of the screening process.
There are a lot of exciting developments in the works. Stay tuned!
