Miami Founder Institute Opens Applications for the Fall 2016 Semester. Wantrepreneurs Need Not Apply!

Since launcing in Miami in 2015, the Founder Institute has helped launch several promising companies in the region, like Dronelancer, LiVi , and VoiceYourVoice, and our efforts in Miami have also been profiled by several high profile media channels, including the South Florida Insider, the Miami Herald, and the South Florida Technology Alliance.

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 Miami 2026 Semester!

If you are serious about launching a startup in Miami and could use expert training and feedback, then apply to the Miami Founder Institute today, or attend a free event.

Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (May 12, 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.

The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program 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.

In order to celebrate the launch, the Miami Founder Institute will several free startup events for the general public, where you can meet top entrepreneurs and learn more about the program:

How to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Aug 11, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403308
How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 12:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403466
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393321
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 8:00pm, Aug 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399780
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392938
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, Sep 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/401211
How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 8:30pm, Sep 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/403605
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 12:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398329
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391550
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 12:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391183
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393451
From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393068
From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391412
From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391025

See all upcoming events

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 Miami include local startup leaders Enrique Sierra (Managing Director, Nadevco), Gustavo Fernandez (Managing Member/CFO, Royal Oak Kapital, LLC), and Juan Meza (Strategic Business Development Manager, Sony Electronics Inc).

In addition, some of Miami's top entrepreneurs will mentor founders in the program, providing them with expert training, feedback, and evaluation. The list of mentors for the Miami 2026 includes: