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 Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Winter 2026 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Rio de Janeiro's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Rio de Janeiro over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 1:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403440
- What Do Brasil’s Investors Look For? Pitch Live and Find Out: 6:00pm, ago 19, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403886
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 9:00pm, ago 25, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399752
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395206
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 1:00pm, set 08, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/401166
- How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 9:30pm, set 14, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/403579
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398304
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395221
- Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 1:00pm, out 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395151
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395280
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:00pm, out 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395120
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 2:00pm, nov 03, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395303
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 10:00pm, nov 17, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395312
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 2:00pm, dez 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395350
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 Rio de Janeiro program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Ricardo Motta and Guilherme Baumworcel together with Founder Institute Brazil team (Nima Kaz, Bruno Ceschin, Paloma Lecheta, Ana Paula Camargo and Miguel Barreto). In addition, some of Rio de Janeiro'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 Rio de Janeiro and help build the future.
Apply to the Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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