Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed stage accelerator and startup launch program, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Nordics Spring 2026 Semester!
If you want to build a startup in Stockholm and could use expert training and feedback, then apply to the Stockholm Founder Institute today, or attend a free event.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (Mar 01, 2026) will have their application fees waived (typically $50), and if you enroll by the Early Deadline you are also eligible for Founder Institute Fellowships.
Since launching in Stockholm in 2017, the Founder Institute has helped launch several promising companies in the region, and our efforts in Stockholm have also been profiled by several high profile media channels.
To celebrate the launch, the Stockholm Founder Institute will provide several free startup events for the general public, where you can meet top entrepreneurs and learn more about the program:
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 2:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/392262
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 2:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390216
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 2:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/394730
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390719
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 6:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/395788
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/395621
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 6:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/392443
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 6:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/394058
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 6:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/394558
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 2:00am, May 19, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390332
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/395477
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 6:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390451
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 2:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/388526
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 2:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/393229
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 2:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/393548
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390589
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/393352
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 6:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/391141
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 2:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/391342
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/392969
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 2:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/391622
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 2:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/390865
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/393482
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 6:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/393106
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 2:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/391485
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 6:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Stockholm): https://FI.co/e/391028
Leaders of the world’s fastest-growing startups have used the Founder Institute to transition from employee to entrepreneur, test their startup ideas, build a team, get their first customers, raise funding, and more - like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, and Appota. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Running the Founder Institute's efforts in Stockholm are local startup leaders Anders Lindlöf (Founding Partner, Desifer AB), Christian Fredriksson (Partner, consultant and angel investor, Desifer AB), and Joel Sunnehall (Founding Partner, Desifer AB).
For the upcoming program, we have a number of significant developments and changes with the aim to attract the best aspiring entrepreneurs and create top notch tech companies:
- Strengthening the FI team with a new program manager, Nedim Efendic, an investment banker turned entrepreneurship researcher turned startup advisor: Investment banker at Raiffeisen Investment and UBS. Previously teacher at Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship and researcher with focus on startup accelerators at Stockholm School of Economics, as well as visiting scholar at Stanford. Ex Interim CFO at award winning Fintech startup Transfer Galaxy
- Adding a full time entrepreneur to the FI team, Randy Cottin, as an Entrepreneur In Residence. Randy is CEO of Loogup, an AI-powered Real Estate Platform. He's previously Rocket Internet's venture country and regional manager for Central America and highlighted among top 10 Entrepreneurs by Revista Gerente
- Increased emphasis on teams. Founding teams with a product demo or MVP but typically without significant funding, revenue or traction
- More developments to be presented sooon!
In addition, some of Stockholm's top entrepreneurs will mentor founders in the program, providing them with expert training, feedback, and evaluation. The list of mentors for the Nordics Spring 2026 includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Almir Krso: Founder I CEO, Venturab AB
- Amanda Evans: Chief Growth Officer, Enigio
- Amanda Enocksson Gyllenberg: COO l Portfolio Manager l Partner, VNTRS
- Andreas Svendsen: Senior Consultant / Engagement Manager, Rouse AB
- Andrew Hennigan: Lecturer, Coach, Writer, Andrew Hennigan Consulting
- Anette Nordvall: Venture Partner, Butterfly Ventures
- Anjali Westwood: Founder, Maternia Care
- Annika Vangstad: Head of Group Creative , Nordea
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Bilal Zahoor: Bilal Zahoor, scalecraft
- Caroline Wachtmeister: Principal, Industrifonden
- Charlotte Christensen: Executive Director, Fintocat
- Charlotte Ekelund: Investor & External Relations Director, Sting
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Christian Schaffner: CEO, 61st Digital Agency
- Dennis Kibirev: Marketing Exec | Venture Growth Strategist, Top 1% Rated Startup Mentor
- Dennis Surendra: CEO & Founder, IdeaBits AB
- Donnie Sc Lygonis: Innovation Strategist & Business Coach, KTH Innovation
- Dr. Hanan El Basha: Strategic AI & Growth Advisor to SMEs & Scale-Ready Businesses, The Business Doctor
- Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
- Emelie Gustafsson Maistedt: Founder & CEO, Gemme & Co-founder & CEO, Gemme
- Emil Jerndal: Head of M&A, Effektify
- Erik Afzelius: COO, UnTap!
- Fanny Sjöström: Founder , Swiftr
- Fedja Porobic: Head of Growth, Improove
- Fernanda Torre: CEO, NextAgents
- Filip Veli Gultekin: Angel Investor, Startup Advisor
- Fredrik Rosengren: Accelerator Manager & Business Coach, Sting
- Funda Sezgi: Co-founder & MD at Norrsken Impact Accelerator, Norrsken Foundation
- Gabriele Garavini: New Business Development Manager, Telia
- Gabrielle Ödhammar: Functional Lead Talent Planning, Group People, Nordea
- Gemma Whitehouse: Founder & Director, Ingeniva
- Gustaf-Wilhelm Hellstedt: Startup Coach, H & Partners Global Vision Ltd
- Haider Abdo: Founder & CEO, Returnado
- Hannes Helander: Head of Startup Programs, Connect Sverige Region Öst
- Hannes Rosén: CEO & Co-Founder, StartupTools
- Henrik Reimavuo: Investor, J12 Ventures
- Ida Herbertsson: Head of Fast Track Capital, Minc
- Idowu Akinde: MD/CEO, Impact Hub Lagos
- Isabel Keulen: Investment Manager, Spintop Ventures
- Jenny Gizard: Innovation Advisor, Almi Stockholm
- Jens Wernborg: Director, Startup Grind Hong Kong
- Joachim Widd: COO and Partner, VNTRS
- Joachim Rittfeldt Hofvenschiöld: Co-Founder, uBIT
- Joel De Nes: Full Stack Engineer & Consultant, Co-Founder, Algrow AI
- Johan Johansson: Angel Investor & Board Professional
- John Drakenberg Renander: CEO & Co-founder, Alex Therapeutics
- John Rush: Founder, MarsX Inc
- Jonas Glädt: Chief Operating Officer, Legal Career
- Jonas Åström: Founder & Partner, Recuro
- Jonatan Håkansson: Growth Consultant, Hawkeye Invest
- Jonathan Greechan: Co-Founder & CEO, Founder Institute, GP Founder Capital
- Leif Frykman: Founder & Chairman of the Board, LegalWorks Nordic
- Linus Dahg: Investment Director, Inventure
- Louise Hagen: Partner, Luminar Ventures
- Magret Jokela: Head of Program, Hanken Business Lab
- Malcolm Larri: Founder, Brave Personal Development
- Manish Mishra: Angel Investor
- Mara Rada: Chief Operations and Strategy, Loon (loonbio.com)
- Margarita Triantafyllidou: Angel Investor, RadCap & Daya Ventures l Serial Entrepreneur l Ex- Wall Street
- Marie-Louise Dahl: Principal Innovation & Strategy | Program Manager, Stellar | Mastercard Lighthouse
- Matti Lindberg: Associate, Legal Counsel, Rouse Sweden
- Michael Lantz: CEO, Accedo
- Mikael Blix: CEO & Founder, Heja
- Mikael Angesjo: Startup Advisor & Investor, Crowdcube
- Mikaela Larsell Ayesa: COO, uBIT.vc
- Milena Kraeva: Founder & CEO, Nexus Impact Ventures
- Moaz Hamid: founding partner, mvmt ventures
- Naimul Abd: CEO, Connect Öst & SweBAN - Swedish Business Angel Networks
- Nathan Evans: Founder | Angel Investor | Advisor , AURIS Investment
- Nea Harjanne: CEO, Kiuas
- Niklas Rudemo: Chief Product Officer, StartupTools
- Ola Wassvik: Co-Founder & CTO, Flatfrog Laboratories AB
- Olena Rogozina
- Olena Bochulia: Co-Founder, Severus
- Olga Padulosi: Marketing & Partnerships, AppFollow
- Oskars Jepsis
- Özge Özen Zink: Partnership Manager Entrepreneurs, SEB
- Per Björklund: Partner, Further Than Capital l Angel Investor
- Per Ström, First Gate Invest
- Peter Ingman: Co-Founder
- Peter Carlsson: Partner, Spintop Ventures
- Pouria Kay: Founding Partner, Atlan
- Preben Fjellaker Mathisen: Senior Advisor - Startups, Innovation Norway
- Ragnheidur Magnusdottir: Founder & Chair of the Board, Nordic Ignite
- Raman Ramalingam: Startup recruitment & HR consultant, talentX
- Remi Saint-Jean: Founder, delighting.io
- Resad Zacina: Chief Growth Officer, Ministry of Programming
- Richard Cristina: Principle Director & Founder , Bloom for Start Ups / Innovate U / Founder Institute.
- Rickard Vernet: Head of Legal, Bolago (acquired by Allshares)
- Rita Anson: Co-Founder Nordic Ignite, Secretary General NorBAN Norwegian Business Angels Network
- Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
- Saga Löfgren: Brand Manager, LEIA Health
- Salmine Sassi: Entrepreneur in Residence, Seedstars
- Sameer Sortur: Founding Partner, SquareCircle Ventures
- Sameh Katr: Chairman of the Advisory Board, Boost Turku
- Sandra Jona: Legal Counsel, LW Advisory
- Sara Hjortmar: Senior Associate, Seedrs | Republic Nordics
- Simon Olson: Founding Partner, XY Ventures
- Sofie Marin: Founder & CEO, Arts Dynamics
- Steph Thommen: Founder, purposeful.tech
- Stéphane Nasser: Co-Founder, OpenVC
- Svetlana Stotskaya: Mentor, Techstars Sustainability Paris
- Taylor Ryan: 6x Start-up Founder, Investor, and Web3 Expert, Layer Three Ventures
- Tobias Bard: CEO, Prototyp
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Ulf Linden: Founder and COO, LegalWorks Nordic
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Zen Holmgren: Agency Leader, My Own Marketing Team, Angel Investor
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program for talented and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are serious about launching a startup, the Founder Institute can give you the structured process, constant feedback and evaluation from expert mentors, and global network of entrepreneurs you need to start an enduring company. In addition, the Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.
