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 Romania - Central Eastern Europe Fall 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Romania's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Romania - Central Eastern Europe Fall 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Bucharest over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days: 4:00am, Jul 23, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/402950
- How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days: 4:00am, Jul 23, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/403092
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 7:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/401119
- Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 7:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398722
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 3:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398705
- How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Aug 12, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/403225
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 3:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/399851
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 7:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398794
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 7:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398262
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 7:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/399055
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 core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
The Bucharest program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alex M. Dascalu (Lead Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe), Cee Admin (Admin, Founder Institute CEE), Ivan Germanov (Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute HQ), Ivaylo Ivanov (Director, Founder Institute CEE), Lyubomir Kolev (Associate, Founder Institute CEE), Nika Kapanadze (Georgia Director, Founder Institute), Raluca Samuilescu (Associate, Founder Institute).
In addition, some of Romania's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Bucharest Founder Institute includes:
- Alex M. Dascalu: Lead Director, Founder Institute Central Eastern Europe
- Lukas Korous: CTO & Co-Founder, https://flaerobotics.ai/
- Sam Olawale: Founder, DGL
- Tudor Popp: Founder, Beyond Space
- And many more to be announced.
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 Romania and help build the future.
Apply to the Romania - Central Eastern Europe Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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