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 Waterloo-Toronto Fall 2021 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Ontario's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Waterloo-Toronto Fall 2021 Founder Institute today.
Program Update: This accelerator will be run online with local and international mentors, with the potential for some optional in-person networking. Learn more on our Virtual Program FAQ page.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Waterloo over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
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 Waterloo program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Jordan Jocius (Director, YellowX OU), Laura Bryce (Co-Founder, COO, loopt), Sunil Sharma (Canada Director, Founder Institute).
In addition, some of Ontario's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Waterloo-Toronto Fall 2021 Founder Institute includes:
- Alex Astrum: Developer Relations, Google
- Alexander Jager: Founding Partner, Amplifier Advisors
- Andrew Ricchetti: Founder, CakeAI, CoinMako
- Anwer Ali: Consultant, IMUKSYS
- Arshad Merali, Rivvi
- Barry Hillier: Founder & CEO, eQuo/ DOS
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Benton Leong: General Partner, ArchAngel Fund
- Bob Embleton: CEO, Perigee Convergent Solutions Inc
- Brice Scheschuk: CEO, Globalive Capital
- Cerys Goodall: COO, Vetster
- Chad Ford: Vice President Innovation, Communica and Partner, Pactech Ventures, Director, Western Canada Founder Institute
- Chris Leclerc: Coordinator, Programs and Client Experience, Accelerator Centre
- Dinah Davis: Founder, Code Like A Girl
- Edward Fan: Partner
- Elaine Lukowski: Vice President, Home & Entertainment, Health & Beauty Merchandising, Loblaw
- Fion Lee-Madan: Technical Co-Founder, COO and Customer Success, Fairly AI Inc.
- Gavin Jocius: Founder & Principal, River Wise Ventures
- Gina Yoo: Co-Founder & COO, Mannr
- Haoyang Liang: Director of Product Development, Orbiseed
- Isaac Adejuwon: CEO & Founder, Metricsflow
- Joseph Dales: Co-Founder & Director, RHA Partners
- Konata Lake: Partner
- Mary Beth Kyer: Co-Founder, Sponsor Circle
- Melika Hope: Product Director, Twitter
- Michael Kosic: Founding Partner, Loyal VC
- Mike Lingle: Entrepreneur / Mentor, Rocket Pro Forma
- Mike Peasgood: Co-Founder, Aeryon Labs
- Nadir Chaudhry: Founder, Tenamint
- Raymond Luk: CEO, Hockeystick
- Rick Spence: Former Editor and Publisher, PROFIT (Canadian Business)
- Robert Whiteside: Director, Founding Partner, Treemark Capital
- Ryan McCartney: Fractional CRO, Self employed
- Sarah Hartkorn: Associate, White Cap Venture Partners
- Sean Yo: Product Management Fellow, ISPMA
- Stanislav Stepanov: CEO, Teleportainment Inc.
- Venu Sripada: CEO, Onboard Newhire
- Vikas Gupta: CEO, AVARA
- Wendy Robertson: Managing Director, Assemble Inc.
- Will Greenblatt: Co-Founder & Managing Director, OutLoud Speakers School
- Xenia Chen: Founder , Threads
- Yogi Yoganathan: CEO/Co-Founder, RemitBee
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 Alumni raise over 2BN 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 Waterloo and help build the future.
Apply to the Waterloo-Toronto Fall 2021 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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