Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
At the Founder Institute, we know times are tough, but we also know that economic downturns are a great time to start a business. This isn't just conjecture - the Founder Institute was started in April of 2009 (during the "Great Recession"), and world-leading companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple also took advantage of cost savings during a recession to launch and get their initial traction.
That's why we are excited to announce today that applications are now open for the Germany Fall 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Berlin's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Germany Fall 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Berlin over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
Germany Events:
- Building with AI: Tips for Founders: 7:00pm, Sep 17, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402800
- AI Startup Pitch Marathon: Pitch Training Bootcamp with Rikke Klitskov: 6:00pm, Sep 23, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402801
- AI Impact Startups: Pitch your Idea to experts and investors: 6:00pm, Sep 30, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402803
- All topics: Startup Pitch Practice: Bring your insights and get feedback!: 6:00pm, Oct 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402804
- Startup Funding in Germany: 2027 Market Outlook & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Oct 08, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/402807
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin Startup Networking Cohort Start Edition: 7:00pm, Oct 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404580
- [Restricted] Germany Fall 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (online): 7:00pm, Oct 21, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/391841
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin Startup Networking cozy Edition: 7:00pm, Nov 12, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404911
- Founder Meet & Greet: Berlin In-Person Startup Networking Red Hats Edition: 7:00pm, Dec 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/404548
Global or Regional Events:
- How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 2:30am, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/403538
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 28, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/398297
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 6:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395142
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395271
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 6:00pm, Oct 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395112
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395293
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/395340
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 Agentic program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
The Berlin program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Ana Catarina Rocha, Dirk Lehmann, and Ferdinand Muehlhaeuse. In addition, some of Berlin's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
Join us in Berlin and help build the future.
Apply to the Germany Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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