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 Salvador - Brasil Winter 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Salvador's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Salvador - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Nordeste 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: 10:00pm, jul 22, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/402876
- How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days: 10:00pm, jul 22, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403010
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 1:00pm, jul 28, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/401165
- Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 1:00pm, ago 04, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399005
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 9:30pm, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398988
- How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 2:00pm, ago 12, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403290
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 9:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399009
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 9:00pm, ago 25, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399751
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399014
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398954
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399018
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 9:30pm, out 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399022
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399057
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 Salvador program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alekssandre Mesquita, Andre Araujo, Camilo Telles, Jose Soares, Mel Oliveira, Rodrigo Paolilo, and Savio Mota. In addition, some of Salvador'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 Nordeste and help build the future.
Apply to the Salvador - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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