Since launching in San Diego in 2009, the Founder Institute has graduated over 50 companies, including successful local startups like Embarke, Kaliki, DonationMatch, Feetz, Explorence, Green Kid Crafts, and many more.
The San Diego Founder Institute is now accepting applications for the San Diego Spring 2026 Semester. If you could benefit from expert training and advice to launch a technology startup in San Diego, click here to apply today.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (Dec 07, 2025) will have their application fees waived (typically $50) and are eligible for Founder Institute Fellowships.
In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising startup entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, you are not required to quit you day job to participate, so you can begin building a business around your ideas without putting your livelihood at risk.
In order to celebrate the launch, the San Diego Founder Institute will host a “Pre-Curriculum” of free startup events for the general public:
- Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event, with Jenny Fielding (Everywhere Ventures): 9:00am, Dec 10, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/380946
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 10:00am, Dec 18, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/384631
- Startup Funding AMA & FI Info Session, with Jonathan Greechan (CEO, FI / GP, Founder Capital): 10:00am, Dec 30, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/384897
- Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 8:00am, Jan 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383313
- Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 10:00am, Jan 14, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/386036
- Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 5:00pm, Jan 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/384288
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Jan 26, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/382079
- Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 10:00am, Feb 02, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383954
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 5:00pm, Feb 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383755
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 10:00am, Feb 17, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385205
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 10:00am, Feb 24, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385484
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 10:00am, Mar 03, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385323
The San Diego Chapter will be led by by longtime Founder Institute Director and San Diego Startup advocate, Jeanine Jacobson.
In only 16 years of operation, over 8,100 graduate companies across 200 cities have used the Founder Institute to validate their idea, develop their plans, refine their product, build an advisory board, prepare for seed funding, and more.
