Silicon Valley-based Founder Institute Launches in Salvador, its 10th Brazilian Location

The Founder Institute, the world’s premier pre-seed startup accelerator, announced today that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Salvador - it's 10th city in Brazil!

While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Salvador can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.

Applications to the first ever Salvador Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/salvador.

The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the critical support network and structured process needed to build an enduring company, from launch to team and funding. Since 2009, the program has helped over 9,000 Graduates raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more.

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Salvador, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:

How to Think Like a Founder and Take Action: 9:00pm, jun 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398985
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 1:30pm, jun 22, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/400808
Economic Development: How to Build Entrepreneurial Communities: 12:00pm, jun 23, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/400966
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 1:00pm, jun 30, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/401165
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 9:00pm, jul 06, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398988
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 1:00pm, jul 07, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399005
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 1:00pm, jul 20, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398997
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 9:00pm, ago 18, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399009
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 9:00pm, ago 25, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399751
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 1:00pm, set 01, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399014
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 1:00pm, set 15, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/398954
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 9:00pm, set 21, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399018
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 9:30pm, out 05, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399022
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 1:00pm, out 13, 2026 (America/Sao_Paulo): https://FI.co/e/399057

See all upcoming events

The individuals that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Salvador include local startup leaders Alexandre Uehara (Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa e Palestrante, Innov8), Leo Gmeiner (CEO, School Guardian), Marco De Biasi (Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director, FI/LAAS/LGA), Mayra Motta ( Proteção de Dados, Plataformas Digitais & IA , MM Corporate Law), Morganna Tito (Morganna Tito, inovabra).

We are excited to welcome Salvador to the FIWorldwide family, and continue to be encouraged by all of the leaders and Graduates coming from our Brazilian chapters" - Adeo Ressi, CEO of the Founder Institute

In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Salvador - Brasil Winter 2026 Founder Institute program, including:

Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
Admar Neto: Founder and Cofounder, Northern and Paraty Brazil by UTMB
Alberto Ferreira: Co Founder, Cervejaria Baden Baden
Alberto Martellini: Local Director , Founder Institute Italy
Alexandre Bezerra: CEO & Founder, Amachains
Alexandre Uehara: Palestrante e Conselheiro de Inovação Corporativa, Innov8
Aline Catiusce: COO, HISOWER
Amanda Martins: Founder, ciclou
Ana Pires: Head of International Partnerships, Softex
Ana Julia Ferreira: Project Management Officer (PMO), Radix Investimentos
Anderson Kenji Mise: Software Engineering Manager, Nubank
Andre Almeida: Founder, Business Portugal
Andre Torbitoni: Founder | estratégia e escalabilidade tecnológica, Uníssona
ANDRE TCHERNOBILSKY: Board member, Founder, CEO, Innovation and Impact Projects
André Costenaro: Director of Business Development and Innovation, OCP
Andrea Monti: Managing Director Impact and Sustainability, Founder Institute
Andrea Cerqueira: Sales, Marketing and Customer Success Director, Motivart
Andreea Marinescu: CEO, Tech Add-Venture
Andries Oudshoorn: angel investor, advisor and board member, Amachains
Angela Lupi: Co-Founder, Nebula Prima
Anna Carolina Cobianchi: Community Associate, WEWORK
Arturo Flores Marquéz: Angel Investor & CFO , Traxión
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 Okamoto: Founder, EUNERD
Carlos Nogueira: Head of Sales, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)
CAROLINE FARIA: Sustainability Specialist, Schneider Electric
Celia Caiuby: CEO, LegalFamily
Cesar Thomé: CFO, Levitar
Cintia Mano: Angel Investor
Claudio Gianturco Gulisano: Managing Partner, Lean Business Research (www.leanbr.org)
Claudio Santiago: Partner, EscapeTime Brasil
Clovis Castelo Junior: Head of Research /Member of the Board /Lecturer, FATEC USA / ClienteSA
CRISTIANO RUSSO: Health Innovation Strategist | Líder em Ecossistemas de Saúde Digital | Professor PUCPR | Consultor Executivo., Lake Innovation Studio
Daniel Vasserman: Head of Corporate Innovation & Partnerships, 100 Open Startups
Daniela Coimbra Swiatek: Especialista em Inovação, Nowy Swiat Pesquisa e Assessoria
Daniela Simão: Audit Committee Member, BANCO NACIONAL DE ANGOLA
Daniela Albini Pinheiro: Analista de inovação, CPQD
Denise Pereira: CEO, Denise Curi, Phd
Diego Perez: Legal, Compliance & Co-Founder, StartMeUp Crowdfunding
Diego Simon: Founder & CEO, B2B Master
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 Martucci: Product Owner, Exactaworks · Full-time
Eduardo Mendes: Senior Sales Executive - Financial Services , SAS
Eduardo Micheletto: Diretor, Micheletto Comunicação
Eduardo Nunes: CEO, ATRIA Corp
Elcio Morelli: Founder, Health Angels Br
Ely Dirani: Associate Professor, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo
Emily Coelho: Head da Jornada do Empreendedor , SMU Investimentos
Eniceli Rodrigues Moraes: Director, CPQD
Erica Fridman Stul: Managing Partner, Sororité
Fabiana Alves: Marketing & Communications Manager, Comgás
Fabiano Porto: Executive Director, Global Regeneration Institute
Fabio Frazão: Founder and Director, Mexeri.ca
Fabio Nogueira: Founder & CEO, Aurora Venture Builder
Fábio Póvoa: Managing Director, Smart Money Ventures
Fabricio Lira Figueiredo: Head of Innovation Hub, CPQD
Felipe Brasileiro: co-founder & CEO, Parafuzo
Felipe Dos Santos: Co-Founder, Play2sell
Felipe Wasserman: PARTNER , BABUXCA
Felipe Maruyama: Diretor de Operações, programas e projetos, Centro de Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Tecnologia (CIETEC)
Fernanda Stasczak: Conselheira, Adviseo Consultoria Empresarial
Flavio Galvão: CEO & Founder, ECP Ambiental / Canal Poluição
Frank Rolim: Frank Rolim, Founder conecte.ai
Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
Gabriela Accorsi: CPO e Co- Founder , La Decora
Gianfranco Vento: CEO , Cassa di Risparmio di San Marino
Graziella Comini: Associate Professor, School of Economics, Business and Accounting at the University of São Paulo
Guilherme Yata: Founder-CEO, S3 Projects
Guilherme Skaf Amorim: Head of Partnerships Head of Partnerships , Wayra Brasil
Guillermo Guzmán: GP, AIDA Ventures
Guto Rosa: Head of Products, Superlógica Tecnologias
Henrique Macedo: Socio/Partner, GAAP Consultoria & Corpservices Group
Henry Suzuky: CEO & Founder, Axonal Consultoria Tecnológica
Humberto Matsuda: Managing Partner, Matsuda Invest
Icaro Molinari: CEO & Founder, CoProdux
In Hsieh: Empreendedor especialista em Ecommerce
Javier Caruso: Founder & CEO , Webstarted
Jeferson Procopio: CEO & Founder, Quick Digital
João Cerqueira: Co-Founder and CEO, 4H Knowledge Management
Jorge Azevedo: Angel Investor and Author, Como nasce uma startup
Juliana Gavini: Especialista de desenvolvimento industrial, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
Junior Borneli: CEO e Fundador da StartSe, StartSe
Lais Fonseca Alves: Founder & CEO , Precavida
Lara Bandeira: Sr. Portfolio Associate, Founder Institute
Laura Gurgel: Founder, Clube de Negócios
Laurent Serafini: CEO
Leandro Hernández: Founder, Cuida.Life
Leo Gmeiner: Program Director, Founder Institute Brasil
Leonardo Gaitan: CEO & co-founder, Autoparti / Kiddo
Leonardo Addeo Ramos: Vice-Director Clinico, Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro
Lorenzo Barbati: Executive Director, GV Angels
LUIZ EDUARDO LEAO: Gerente de Tecnologias Educacionais, SENAI - Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial
Marcelo Vivacqua: Founder and CEO, Associação Brasil Internacional de Inventores, Cientistas e Empreendedores Inovadores - ABIPIR
Marcelo Bella: C-Level, Mentor e Investidor Anjo, Picpay
Marcelo Vasconcelos: Managing Partner, Black Lion Brasil
Marcelo Paulo: Head de Dados, Evertec Brasil
Marcio Motter: Finance Executive “as a service” | Advisor | Mentor, N/A
Marcio Mendes: CEO & Founder, Marketing Sustentável
Marco De Biasi: Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director/Conselheiro Fiscal, LGA/Italcam/Mobicity
Marcos Olmos: Head of VC, VOX Capital
Mariana Velásquez: Founder - CEO, BRANDDU
Mariana Guarini: Membro do Conselho de Administração , MAM - Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
Mariana Camargo: CEO, Uníssona
Mariana Stamato: Co-Founder & Co-entrepreneur, Devir Social / Trê Investindo com Causa
Matheus Breguêz: Diretor de Inovação e Tecnologia, Fundação Beta
Matteo Santini: Startups Private Investor, Private Investor
Maurizio Calcopietro: Managing Partner, Core Angels Atlantic
Mayra Motta: Sócia, Mayra Motta Advocacia Corporativa
Michelle Soares Borelli: Lider de Comunidade, ESPM Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing
Monica Lobenschuss: CEO, Vendas Exponenciais
Monique Schwinden: Sócia e Diretora Comercial, Escape Time Brasil
Morganna Tito: Assessora, Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Estado de São Paulo
Nara Iachan: CMO, Cuponeria
Nelson Moreira Da Silva Junior: CEO, Supereficiente
Neusa Andrade: CEO & Founder, Indiip- Intelligent Drug Information and knowledge Integration Platform LLC
Nima Kaz: Co Founder, JUPTER & Director, Founder Institute Brazil
Odete Afonso Duarte: Corporate Communication Branding , ESG Executive, Consultant
Otávio César Cafundo De Moraes: CEO , Brasil Diverso
Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
Pâmela Ponce: CEO, IAPRENDI & ELA S/A
Patricia Lacerda: CEO & Founder, FOL Solutions
Paula Machado: CEO & Founder, Meister Safe System, Look2You
Paulo Faria: CEO & Founder, OTSE Finance
Paulo Carneiro: Manager, Craton-Roche
Pedro Napoleão Jr.: CEO & Founder, ByStartup
Peixoto Accyoli: Chief Executive Officer, RE/MAX Brasil
Rafael Sampaio: CEO Brasil, NovaRed
Rafael Campos: VC Portfolio Manager, VOX Capital
Rafael Honorato: Founder, Lidero
Rafael Angelo Nanis: Coordenador Growth Marketing, Atmosfera Ventures
Raquel Molina: CEO, Futuriste Tecnologias Inovadoras
Rebeca Dreicon: Regional Managing Director Latam, Toluna Group
Reinaldo Azevedo: CEO, Energy Review
Renata Bonaldi: CEO & Founder, Sleep Up
Renata Marques: CIO Latin America, Natura &Co
Renato Simon: Managing Partner, LAAS Latin American Angels Society
Ricardo Normand: Venture Partner, Tomahawk.vc
Ricardo Oliani: Director, Counselor e Co Founder, ABRAPS / Mosai&CO / Ogliani
Ricardo Wang: Ex-Founder, Investor, Enthusiastic and Curious, GM, ex(Mdlz, RB and Kerry)
Ricardo Oliveira: Founder and Managing Director, RWO Assessoria Empresarial
Roberto Soria: AI Transformation | Cloud Solution Architecture | Customer Success Lead | Digital & Business Transformation | Security | Technology, Microsoft
Robson Del Fiol: Channel & Franchising Director, Skyone
Rodrigo Bindes: CEO e Co Founder, Nutrifresh
Rodrigo Huback De Azevedo: Founder/CEO, ISBrasil e IBND
Rodrigo Oliveira: CRO, StayApp
Rodrigo Oliveira: CEO e Diretor de Estratégias, Plástico Virtual, Blob e Álamo Inteligência Comercial
Rodrigo Saad Rodrigues: CEO & Founder, Monitoragua
Rodrigo Barbosa: Partner, Communications Director, Araucária Ventures & Consulting
Rodrigo Grossi: Founder and COO, Dynadok
Rushdy Ahmad: Director, Wyss Diagnostics Accelerator, Harvard University
Sanderson Pajeú: Founder & CEO, naPorta
Sandra Arango: FMCG International C-Level Executive, Ex-P&G/KHC/Reckitt
Semi Kim: Sr. Fintech Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Sergio Escobar: CEO & Partner, BCF Ventures, Managing Director, Lalotte Ventures
Sergio Emanuel Cusmai: CEO and Founder, AIpha-G
Simone Galvagno: ESG Business Developer & Consultant, Azeus Convene
TATIANA YOSHIDA: Innovation and Technology Coordinator, Grupo Energia
Thiago Garcia: CEO & General Partner, 10X Partners
Tijana Momirov: Startup Consultant - Product Management, StartupSetup
Vando Ribeiro: CEO, Grupo 2MI
Vanessa Abrahão: Head of Customer Success , Groove Marketing de Incentivo
Victor Lugli: Managing Partner, Lugli Group

And many more to be announced.

The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The organization's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.