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 Porto Alegre - Brasil Winter 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Porto Alegre's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Porto Alegre - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Porto Alegre over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 9:30pm, set 14, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403586
- Break the Idea Loop: Decide What to Build in the Age of AI: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395215
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 28, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398303
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 1:00pm, out 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395153
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395282
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:00pm, out 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395119
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 2:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395302
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 10:00pm, nov 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395315
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 2:00pm, dez 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395349
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 Porto Alegre program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Aline Bortolin, Bruna Petersen, Henrique Caimi Ribeiro, Michel Costa, Nima Kazerooni, and Rafael Nunes. In addition, some of Porto Alegre'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 Porto Alegre and help build the future.
Apply to the Porto Alegre - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
---
