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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 Oakland - San Francisco Fall 2025 program.

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from San Francisco's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Oakland - San Francisco Fall 2025 Founder Institute today.

We will be hosting several free startup online events in San Francisco over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:

  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 10:00am, Jun 02, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/372209
  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
  • How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 10:00am, Jun 04, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371384
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 5:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/372253
  • FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 10:00am, Jun 23, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371810
  • Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 10:00am, Jun 25, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/372011
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 10:00am, Jun 30, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/371651
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Jul 07, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/372337

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 San Francisco program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Cory Wang, Jake Kuczeruk, and Jeni Chang.

In addition, some of San Francisco'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  7,500 Alumni raise over $1.85BN 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 San Francisco and help build the future. 

Apply to the Oakland - San Francisco Fall 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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