It is time to build the future. Applications Now Open to Founder Institute Rio de Janeiro Virtual 2021

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:

The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 1:00pm, jul 08, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/401691
Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 12:00pm, jul 09, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/402055
Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 2:00pm, jul 09, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/402192
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 1:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395093
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 1:00pm, jul 28, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/401166
Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 1:00pm, ago 04, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395151
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 9:30am, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395120
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 9:30pm, ago 10, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395074
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 9:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395173
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 9:00pm, ago 25, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399752
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395206
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
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 9:30pm, out 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395242
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/395280
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

See all upcoming events

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).