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 2025 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 2025 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:
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 3:00am, May 08, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372152
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 8:00pm, May 12, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372181
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372214
- How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 8:00pm, Jun 04, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372237
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 3:00am, Jun 10, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372262
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 8:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372290
- Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 8:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372024
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372310
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/372342
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), Eastern Europe, Ewa Geresz (Managing Director, Founder Institute Poland), Ivan Germanov (Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute HQ), Ivaylo Ivanov (Director, Founder Institute CEE), Karolina Wilk-Tryjanowska (Director | Investor Network, Founder Institute Poland), Maria Mihes (Advisor, Start-ups).
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:
- Alexandru Agatinei: CEO, How to Web
- Ante Bilić: VC, SQ Capital
- Luca Stirbat: CEO, Creative Motion & ReaktorX
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 7,500 Alumni raise over $1.85BN 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 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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