Last Chance to Help Bring the Founder Institute to Lisbon

The Founder Institute, the World's Largest Startup Accelerator, is in the final stage of testing for the opening of its newest chapter in Lisbon for the Spring of 2014.

The testing phase ends Apr 22, 2026, so if you'd like to help bring this great program to Lisbon, please fill out this form today and then spread the word.

In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 8,900 companies, which have created over 30,000 new jobs. The company's mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

In order to complete the testing phase in Lisbon, the Founder Institute is hosting free startup events this week;

Portugal Events:

Meet the Alumni from the Portugal Founder Institute: 6:30pm, Apr 15, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393691

Global or Regional Events:

Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 1:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392266
Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 1:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390222
How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 1:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394734
Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 5:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390713
How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 5:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395763
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 5:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395595
Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 5:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392399
How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 5:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394023
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 5:30pm, May 04, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/394528
How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 1:00am, May 19, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390285
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 5:00pm, May 26, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/395448
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 5:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390445
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 1:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/388533
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 1:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393188
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 1:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393554
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 5:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390583
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 1:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393311
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 5:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391135
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 1:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391348
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 5:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/392928
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 1:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391628
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 1:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390859
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 5:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393441
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 5:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/393062
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 1:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/391490
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 5:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Europe/Lisbon): https://FI.co/e/390991

See all upcoming events

Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Lisbon are led by Carlos DaSilva, a successful entrepreneur who has taught at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, and Luis Amado, a serial startup founder who has been coaching entrepreneurs for the past decade.

Other successful entrepreneurs who have signed on to mentor founders in the program include:

Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
Adam C Kirst: Founder and CEO, Brev
Admar Neto: Founder and Cofounder, Northern and Paraty Brazil by UTMB
Alberto Ferreira: Co Founder, Cervejaria Baden Baden
Alex Santos: Founder and General Partner, Chamaeleon
Alexandre Veiga: Strategic Innovation Partner, Elephant Ventures LLC
Alexandre Dinkelmann: CO-FOUNDER, ONYO
Alexandre Bezerra: CEO & Founder, Amachains
Alexandre Uehara: Palestrante e Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa, Innov8
Altair Emboava de Araujo: Gestor, Hitt - Hub de Inovação Tecnológico de Taubaté
Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
Amit Grinvald: Strategic Communication Expert, Public Speaking Coach, Community Builder & Experience Architect, Amit Grinvald Consulting
Ana Pires: Head of International Partnerships, Softex
Ana Paula Vitelli: President and Chairwoman of the Board, British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil
Ana Teresa Maia: CEO, expressTEC
Ana Teresa Maia: CEO & Co-Founder, expressTEC
Andre Almeida: Founder, Business Portugal
Andre Lin: Expert em Projetos de Inovação Aberta, FENASBAC
André Forte: Head of Business Development for the Arts, UPTEC
André Flórido: Partner, Altaz Capital
André Dionísio: Co-founder & CEO, ByTheLaw
Andrea Monti: Managing Director Impact and Sustainability, Founder Institute
André Croft De Moura: Founder, Court Master
Andreea Marinescu: CEO, Tech Add-Venture
Andries Oudshoorn: angel investor, advisor and board member, Amachains
Angela Lupi: Co-Founder, Nebula Prima
Anshul Punhani: Fractional CMO, Subjektiv
António Santos: Founder, Windcredible
Augusto Terra, Food Venture Hub
Benny Goldenberg: Founder and CEO, La Guapa Empanadas Artesanais
Bernardo Tavares: CTO, Granter
Bernardo Seixas: CEO and Co-founder, Granter
Bruna Losada: Vice-Diretora-Geral | Deputy Dean & COO, Saint Paul Escola de Negócios
Bruno Dequech Ceschin: Co-founder & CFO, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
Bruno Avillez: Partner, Adsum Business Consultoria
Bruno Gutman: International Lawyer (Brazil & Portugal) , Lawyer
Caetano Maffra: Co Founder, Cuia Tech
Carla De Calvo Dantas: CLV Founder and Lawyer, CLV Advogados
Carlos Nogueira: Head of Sales, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
Carlos Souza: Administrador , CSELOR
Carlos Resende: Founder, Techstars Startup Digest
Carmine Masiello: Entrepreneur, Mentor, CTO, KCYMA Studios Ltd
Carolin Wais: Partner, Plug and Play Ventures
Carolina Aguiar: Global Scientific Director - Digital Engagement, Specialty Care, GSK
Carolina Amorim: Ex-Founder , Emotai
Cesar Tureta: Founder, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
César Morais, iLTDA (Creativity Unltd)
Cintia Mano: Angel Investor
Claudio Gianturco Gulisano: Managing Partner, Lean Business Research (www.leanbr.org)
Claudio Santiago: Partner, EscapeTime Brasil
Cristiana Cruz, ScaleUp Porto
Cristina Santos: Comunicação e Gestão do Conhecimento de TI, Braskem
Daniela Coimbra Swiatek: Especialista em Inovação, Nowy Swiat Pesquisa e Assessoria
Daniela Motta: Co-Founder, Clinica Motta & Almeida
Daniela Simão: Audit Committee Member, BANCO NACIONAL DE ANGOLA
Daniele Cabral: CEO & Founder, DAAD Transformando Pessoas
Dawn Chen: Business Angel, COREangels Lisbon
Denise Pereira: CEO, Denise Curi, Phd
Diego Simon: Founder & CEO, B2B Master
Diogo Bhovan: Founder & Lead Investor, DBh Ventures
Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
Eder Campos: Mentor e Investidor Anjo | CX | Modelo de negócios | Cultura, FDC - Fundação Dom Cabral
Edson Ferro: Diretor de Operações Empresariais, SIMPOSS Assessoria Empresarial.
Eduardo Mendes: Senior Sales Executive - Financial Services , SAS
Elisa Tarzia: Co-Founder & Vice President of the Board of Directors, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
Ely Dirani: Associate Professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
Emily Coelho: Head da Jornada do Empreendedor , SMU Investimentos
Fabio D´Novaes: Co-Founder e CEO, Born Global Partner
Fabio Frazão: Founder and Director, Mexeri.ca
Fábio De Faria: Advogado, N Partners
Fabiola Benvenuti: Human Resources Advisor, Dentsu
Fahima Farahi: Co-Founder & CEO, WiseWorld.ai
Felipe Brasileiro: co-founder & CEO, Parafuzo
Felipe Dos Santos: Co-Founder, Play2sell
Felipe Wasserman: PARTNER , BABUXCA
Felipe Giannetti: Managing Partner, StartSe
Felipe Maruyama: Diretor de Operações, programas e projetos, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)
Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, Business Angel & Coach, Founder Institute Germany
Ferdinand Mühlhäuser: Digital Strategist, convestec GmbH
Fernando Jardim: President, 351 Portuguese Startup Association
Filipa Pinto de Carvalho: Co-Founder , AGPC / RedBridge Lisbon / Here Partners
Francesco Weiss: Co-Founder & CEO, eRa - Retail Analytics
Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
Franklin Ribeiro: Head Startup Ecosystem, Investe Sao Paulo
Gabriela Accorsi: CPO e Co- Founder , La Decora
Gabriela Marques Teixeira: Head of Digital Solutions, Stefanini
Gianfranco Vento: CEO , Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino
Gil Belford: Director, Corporate and Business Development, City Storage Systems
Giovanna Claro: Founder & General manager, eHeadset
Gonçalo Consiglieri: COO & Co-Founder, Visor.ai
Guilherme Terrengui: Founder, Sumsub
Henrique Macedo: Socio/Partner, GAAP Consultoria & Corpservices Group
Henrique Cruz: Head of Growth & AI, ROWS
Henry Suzuky: CEO & Founder, Axonal Consultoria Tecnológica
Humberto Matsuda: Managing Partner, Matsuda Invest
Humberto Pereira: Co-Founder and CEO, Rows
Isabel Carapeta: Founder & CEO, Simplifyer
Isaque Gabriel Da Silva: Co-founder e CLO , ENERGY REVIEW
Ivan Germanov: Regional Success Manager, Founder Institute
Ivan E. Germanov: Certified Coach, Founder Institute
Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, Quick Digital
Joan Isern, Recru
Joana Pinto: CEO & Co-Founder, Clynx Health
Joao Pereira: CTO, Build Up Labs
João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
João Nunes Rosado: Head of Portfolio, Unicorn Factory Lisboa
João Afonso: Startup Founder and Head of Business Development - CCI, UPTEC
Jon Fath: CEO, Rauva
Jonathan Alba
Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
Jose Maria Rodríguez Perez: CEO & Founder, CINN
Lais Fonseca Alves: Founder & CEO , Precavida
Laura Gurgel: Founder, Clube de Negócios
Leandro Hernández: Founder, Cuida.Life
Lital Aravot: Program Director, Aetion
Louise Radoor Larsen: Fractional CMO & GTM Advisor, Momentum Marketing
Lucas De Lima Neto: Executive Diretcor MME & ESG / Partner, Empírica
Lucas Galvanini: Co-Founder & Sales Director, KnowCode
Lucas Oliveira: Portfolio Manager, COREangels Atlantic
Luis Valente: CEO and Co-Founder, iLoF
Luis Valent
Luiz Fernando Silva: Especialista em Gestão Estratégica, Ltrainning Planejando Ideias e Negócios
Lurdes Gramaxo: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
Manuel Rodrigues: Legal, OW Ventures
Marcelo Costa: Management Advisor, Valoração Consultoria
Marcelo Vivacqua: Founder and CEO, Associação Brasil Internacional de Inventores, Cientistas e Empreendedores Inovadores - ABIPIR
Marcelo Lebre: President, Remote
Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
Marcos Olmos: Head of VC, VOX Capital
Maria Ribeiro Soares: CEO
Mariana Guarini: Membro do Conselho de Administração , MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
Mario Alves: Co-Founder & CEO, TAIKAI & LayerX
Maurizio Calcopietro: Managing Partner, Core Angels Atlantic
Mayra Motta: Sócia, Mayra Motta Advocacia Corporativa
Mayra Castro: Ambassador, Seedstars
Miguel Amador: Chief Innovation Officer, Complear
Miguel Alves Ribeiro: Founder and CEO, sheerME
Misa Nikolic: CEO, Resonator – Creative Tech Hub
Monica Lobenschuss: CEO, Vendas Exponenciais
Neusa Andrade: CEO & Founder, Indiip- Intelligent Drug Information and knowledge Integration Platform LLC
Nuno Fernandes: Co-Founder and CEO, Dig-IN
Nuno Madeira do Ó: Managing Director, Sciencehouse Consultancy
Nuno Fernandes: CEO & Co-Founder, DIG-IN
Odete Afonso Duarte: Corporate Communication Branding , ESG Executive, Consultant
Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
Patricia Lacerda: CEO & Founder, FOL Solutions
Paula Machado: CEO & Founder, Meister Safe System, Look2You
Paulo Carneiro: Manager, Craton-Roche
Pedro Henriques: Founder and CEO, BRIDGE IN
Pedro Almeida: Venture Capital Investor, Armilar
Pedro Rocha: Founder and CEO, Sagescan
Pedro Grilo: Investment Manager, Portugal Ventures
Pedro Coutinho: CEO, Founder and Investor, WATERDOG
Peixoto Accyoli: Chief Executive Officer, RE/MAX Brasil
Rafael Angelo Nanis: Coordenador Growth Marketing, Atmosfera Ventures
Raquel Molina: CEO, Futuriste Tecnologias Inovadoras
Renata Tomazeli: CEO & Founder, Youfeel
Renata Marques: CIO Latin America, Natura &Co
Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
Ricardo Pinto Martins: Founder, TRIWI
Ricardo Carvalho: CTO, Bloq.it
Rita Costa: CEO, International Career Consultant & Business Partner
Roberto Soria: AI Transformation | Cloud Solution Architecture | Customer Success Lead | Digital & Business Transformation | Security | Technology, Microsoft
Rodrigo Bindes: CEO e Co Founder, Nutrifresh
Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo: Founder/CEO, ISBrasil e IBND
Rodrigo Olmedo: Director, uGlobally
Rodrigo Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
Rogerio Augusto Cortes: CEO, Catalisar
Ronald Goovaerts: Ronald, Magnetic Whisper
Rui Gouveia: CEO, Build Up Labs
Rui Ferreira: Founder, Nova Legal
Sanderson Pajeú: Founder & CEO, naPorta
Sandra Arango: FMCG International C-Level Executive, Ex-P&G/KHC/Reckitt
Santiago Fernandez Bender: CEO, SUMA
Sara Gonçalves: Founder & CEO, Actif
Sean Tierney: Founder, Problemattic
Sedef Sahin: Founders’ Mentor | Unlocking Leadership & Growth, Talent Based Co.
Sergio Escobar: CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures, Managing Director, Lalotte Ventures
Sergio Emanuel Cusmai: CEO and Founder, AIpha-G
Sofia Soares: Innovation Ecosystem Builder
Stevan Markovic, AQVC
Syed Raza Haider: CEO, Loopless AI Inc
TATIANA YOSHIDA: Innovation and Technology Coordinator, Grupo Energia
Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
Thiago Vieira: CEO, Cybertech
Tiago Martins Oliveira: Co-Founder, Lev Gestão Empresarial
Tiago Silva: CTO, Closum
Tijana Momirov: Startup Consultant - Product Management, StartupSetup
Tim Ward: Founder , Bid Buddy Pro
Tomás Penaguião: Partner, Bynd Venture Capital
Vando Ribeiro: CEO, Grupo 2MI
Wilian Silva Vieira: CEO , Pitaco Criativo