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 Munich - Germany Spring 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Munich's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Munich - Germany Spring 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Munich over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 7:00pm, Jan 14, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386013
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Why Startups and Small Businesses Require Different Policy Approaches: 7:00pm, Jan 20, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386595
- Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 2:00am, Jan 21, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/384358
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 7:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/382185
- FI Germany Pitch Marathon: Pitch Training Bootcamp with Rikke Klitskov: 6:30pm, Jan 27, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386728
- FI Germany Fall 2025 Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies: 7:00pm, Jan 29, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386736
- Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 7:00pm, Feb 02, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383927
- How to Transform Your Region into a Hub for Cross-Border Entrepreneurship: 7:00pm, Feb 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/387085
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 2:00am, Feb 10, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/383820
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 7:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385124
- Startup Funding in Germany: 2026 Market Overview & Fundraising Insights: 6:00pm, Feb 18, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386734
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 7:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385460
- Zoom Meet & Greet with Munich Directors & Alumni: 7:00pm, Feb 25, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386732
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 7:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/385297
- [Restricted] Munich – Germany Spring 2026 VIP Launch Mixer (Online Networking Event): 7:00pm, Mar 04, 2026 (Europe/Berlin): https://FI.co/e/386730
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 Munich program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Claudia Schaller, Francisco Tavira, Jennifer Schwade, Magdalena Muttenthaler, and Nathan Evans. In addition, some of Munich'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 8,300 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 Munich and help build the future.
Apply to the Munich - Germany Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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