Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier idea-stage accelerator and startup launch program, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Midwest Fall 2026 Semester!
If you want to build a startup in Chicago and could use expert training and feedback, then apply to the Chicago Founder Institute today, or attend a free event.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (Jun 30, 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 Chicago in 2011, the Founder Institute has helped launch several promising companies in the region, like Better Weekdays, DigitalGroundUp, and Easy Beauty, and our efforts in Chicago have also been profiled by several high profile media channels.
To celebrate the launch, the Chicago Founder Institute will several free startup events for the general public, where you can meet top entrepreneurs and learn more about the program:
Midwest Events:
- Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago: 6:00pm, Jul 02, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/401280
Global or Regional Events:
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 11:00am, Jul 08, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/401616
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 10:00am, Jul 09, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/402011
- Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 12:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/402138
- How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 11:00am, Jul 14, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/401848
- How to Use AI to Test Your Startup Idea Fast: 3:30pm, Jul 16, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/402101
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398664
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, Jul 28, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/401137
- Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 11:00am, Aug 04, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398730
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398703
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398638
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398757
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 7:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399727
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398781
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 11:00am, Sep 15, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398272
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398804
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/398817
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Chicago): https://FI.co/e/399044
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 Chicago are local startup leader Jason Jacobsohn, Managing Director of Reliable Venture Partners and an advisor to over 100 emerging businesses on investment and strategy.
In addition, some of Chicago's top entrepreneurs will mentor founders in the program, providing them with expert training, feedback, and evaluation. The list of mentors for the Midwest Fall 2026 includes:
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Ablorde Ashigbi: CEO, 4Degrees
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Aditya Nath: Head of Sales NA, Mobilisights, A Stellantis Company
- Aidan Salvi: Founder, Angel Investor, Advisor, Technologist, Multiple
- AJ DeLeon: CEO, Innovare
- Alex Glenn: Founder, Automated.af
- Alex Gorsuch: Co-founder, CTO, Ascent Integrated Tech
- Alex Lambert: Venture Capital Manager, mHUB
- Amit Bhanot: Venture Partner, Loyal VC
- Andrew Lee: CEO, Esper
- Andrew Loulousis: Vice President of Strategy and Venturing, TechNexus Venture Collaborative
- Andy Cwik: Co-Founder & CEO, hubub
- Ashish Rangnekar: CEO & Co-Founder, BenchPrep
- Aviv Shalgi: CEO, Solar Simplified
- Bart Carlson: CEO, Azuba
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Benjamin Seidman: Co-Founder, Mella Pet Care
- Blake Allsmith: CEO, Jumpdocs.com
- Bob Gillespie: Managing Partner, REACH Commercial
- Bob Matteson: CEO, Relivable
- Brad Schnitzer: Program Manager, Techstars Chicago
- Brad Spirrison: CEO, Grown In
- Brian Lee: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Roamli
- Cate Brady: Founding Director, Bulk AG Innovations
- Charles Kwon: Managing Partner, Concitor
- Chereesca Bejasa: CEO, Zenevate, LLC
- Chris Sorensen: Founder & CEO, Lake Forest Venture Management
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Christina Holloway: Executive Coach, Compass Enterprises LLC
- Cory Warfield: Chief Connection Officer, Coryconnects
- Craig Zingerline: Founder and CEO , Growth Minded
- Dan Ushman: Founder and CEO, TrendSpider
- Dan Bauer: President, Bauer & Associates, Inc.
- Daniel Roberts: Founder, Scout Alarm
- David Culver: Co-Founder, VentureSHOT
- David Douglas: Founder & CEO, Yolobe Inc.
- David Rosen: CEO, Acrelic Group
- David Zaretsky: CEO, Chief Scientist & Co-Founder, Snips Media
- David Hurst: CEO, Orbital Transports
- David Kirshenbaum: Founder/Connector in CHief, www.MeadeConnect.com
- Derick Jiwan: Founder, Upbound Partners LLC
- Desiree Vargas Wrigley: Chief Innovation Officer & Executive Director of TechRise, P33
- Don Bora: Principal Technology/Owner and Co-Founder, Eight Bit Studios
- Eddie Patzsch: Co-Founder, PartnerPortal.io
- Eric Broughton: CEO, OK2Charge
- Fernando DeLeon: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Innovare
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
- Garry Cooper: CEO/ Co-Founder , Rheaply
- Gary Gaessler: SaaS Community Builder, Nylas, Co-Founder of CloudElements
- Gavenraj Sodhi: Senior Product Manager, Hitach Vantara
- Gavin Martin: Founding Partner, onPurpose Growth
- Genevieve Thiers: Founder, Sittercity
- George Powell: Founder, CEO, Easy Beauty
- George Khalife: Vice President, U.S. Capital Formation, Toronto Stock Exchange
- Gigi Kizhakkechethipuzha: Founder, ImpelHub
- Greg Jaros: Founder & CEO, PocketKnock
- Heather Holmes: CEO & Founder, Genivity
- Jacqueline Kuehl: Managing Director, Digital Marketing Concentration, DePaul University
- James Napier
- Jason Randolph: Head of Marketing, JuiceX
- Jason Jacobsohn: Managing Director, Propellant Ventures
- Jean Bordelon: Vice President of Data Management, Bounteous
- Jed Abernethy: Corporate Innovation and Startup Executive, Entrepreneur / Digital Transformation
- Jeff Lyons: Operating Director, City Capital Advisors, LLC
- Jeff Hyman: Chief Talent Officer, Strong Suit Executive Search
- Jeff Weber: Founder, Chalenj
- Jeffrey Coney: Executive Coach and Mentor
- Jeremy Baras: Director of Business Development, Startup Space
- Jill Miller: CEO, Lunum
- Joe Bezdek: Co-founder, DivX, Inc.
- Joe Born: CEO, Aiwa Corp.
- Joe Lee: CEO, Inverse
- John Dallas: CEO, Enclave Academy and Hillview Partners Network LLC
- John Ernst: Chief Growth & Technology Officer, Founder, Advisor, Entrepreneur, Executive
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Karim Djerboa: Business Development Specialist, MAVENTERSE
- Katie Hench: Co-Founder, Infiniteach
- Kelly Fitzsimmons: Co-Founder, Custom Reality Services
- Kevin Taylor: Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Stetson University
- Kim Rubenstein: Cofounder, Chief Research + Product, Compatibility
- Kord Kutchins: Development Advisor, ESO HUB
- Laurence Hayward: Venture Partner, Independence Equity
- Lavina Ramkissoon: AI Ethics and Technology Policy, African Union
- Louis Morales: President, The Catnip Times
- Maaike Doyer: Founder, Epic Angels
- Marisa Bryce: CEO, Lightning Snow
- Mark Achler: Managing Director, Math Venture Partners
- Mark Phinick: B2B Deal Coach, Let's Make It Rain
- Marsha McVicker: Founder & CEO, Lyla
- Marshall Stanton: Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, Catalina Marketing Corporation
- Matt Mandell: Principal, PayCard.com
- Matthew Miller: Director, Product Strategy & UX, Digital Intent
- Matthew Willis: CRO, MedTechnologies
- Meghan Hoover: CEO, SceneSave
- Michael Carruth: President/Founder, Fiodan Corporation
- Michael Kramer: Founder and CEO, ManageHub, Inc.
- Michael Kelly: CEO, DeveloperTown
- Michael Carney: President, MWC Accounting
- Michael Lamb: Co-Founder & President, nativeMSG
- Mike Kritzman: Founder & CEO, SkillNet
- Mike Anguiano: Founder, SupplyHive
- Mike Moyer: Founder, Fair and Square Ventures, LLC
- Mindi Knebel: Founder & CEO, Kaizan Health
- Miriam Odabe: Founding Principal, reThink Strategy
- Mohammad Hossein Tavangar: Director , Founder Institute Germany
- Moshe Mikanovsky: Product Director, Rootquotient
- Neil Kane: Founder & President, Illinois Partners, LLC
- Nicholas Freeman: Co-founder & Chief Growth Officer, Innovare
- Nick Farina: Co-Founder & CEO, EeroQ
- Nicole Loftus: Founder & CEO, Pop Venture
- Parminder Batra: CEO, TraknProtect
- Patricia Riskind: Head of Global Healthcare, Qualtrics
- Peter Tapling: Managing Director, PTap Advisory, LLC
- Phil Leslie: Founder, Golden Tassel Group
- Pinaki Saha: Founder & CEO, Anshar Labs
- Prateek Mathur: CEO, Activated Scale
- Raakesh Premkumar: Machine Learning Scientist III, Chewy Inc
- Rajanish Karki: Founder, Beats Bazar
- Rajesh Voddiraju: Founder & Group President, HealthiPASS Inc
- Reva Minkoff: Founder and President, Digital4Startups Inc. and DigitalGroundUp Inc.
- Rinku Patel: Co-Founder & CEO, Polysight
- Rod Hart: Founder & Principal Advisor, LayLine Innovation Advisors
- Ronald Franczyk: CTO & Partner, Red Foundry
- Ross Kimbarovsky: Founder and CEO, crowdspring
- Ryan Jeffery: MR, gener8tor
- Sagar Pande: Co-founder, Blaze Power
- Sanjaykumar Patel: Founder -Patent & Trademark Attorney, EXCELON IP - Patent & Trademark Attorneys
- Scott Issen: President & CEO, Future Founders
- Shaniqua Davis: CEO and Founder, Noirefy
- Shawn Park: Founders Team Associate, P33
- Sina Roshan: Cofounder & CPO, Peekage (Techstars 2020)
- Stephen Meade: Founder & CEO, MonetaPro
- Sukhi Singh: Managing Director, SSS Ventures
- Ted Greene: Partner, Old Willow Partners
- Timothy Kelley: CEO, TeleRay
- Tino Go: Founder & CEO, Baru
- Tokiah Kennedy: Head of Platform (S4P), Spotify
- Tom Giles: Founder, Megatron Ventures
- Ujjwal Gupta: Cofounder & COO, BenchPrep
- Vern Chan: Certified Startup Coach, Your Pivot
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- William Furlong: Founder & CEO, SquareStack
- William Mortimore: CEO, Project Foundry
- Yarin Gaon: Strategy & Marketing Specialist, Y.G.
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- 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.
We hope you will join us in Chicago and launch a company in 2017.
