The Founder Institute, the world's premier startup launch program, is currently exploring a new semester launch in Kingston for 2018 to help local entrepreneurs build meaningful companies.
If you'd like the Founder Institute to help you launch your startup, then fill out an Interest Formor attend a FREE event to learn and learn from top startup experts. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (May 20, 2026), the Founder Institute will formally launch a 2018 program in your city.
To test the demand for a Jamaica - Caribbean Spring 2026 program, the Founder Institute will host several FREE startup events in Kingston:
- Stop Guessing: How to Use AI to Validate Your Startup Idea in Days : 11:00am, May 12, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/396679
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 7:00am, May 18, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390257
- How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors with Lubna Forzley: 11:00am, May 19, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/396344
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 11:00am, May 26, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/395410
- Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 11:30am, Jun 01, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/398101
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 11:00am, Jun 02, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390416
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 7:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/388400
- What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 11:00am, Jun 09, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/396182
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 7:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393145
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 7:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392798
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 11:00am, Jul 20, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390554
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 7:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393268
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 11:00am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391106
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 7:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391235
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 11:00am, Sep 01, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/392885
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 7:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391513
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 7:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390830
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 11:00am, Oct 13, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393398
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/393025
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/391381
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/Bogota): https://FI.co/e/390966
Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Kingston are local startup leaders Bianca Welds (Founder, Creative L'Attitude) and Stacey-Ann Wilson (International Political Economist).
Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Kingston Founder Institute program include:
- Adanna John: Communications Manager, Founder Institute Caribbean
- Akshansh Deva: UX/UI Design Consultant, Independent
- Alejandra Luzardo: CEO , Boomful
- Ali Jamal: GP, First Check Ventures
- Al Karim Rehemtula: Advisor, Business Development & Strategy, Independent
- Althea West Myers: Founder & Chief Strategist, Growth Partners Ltd.
- Amit Grinvald: Communication Strategist & Pitch Coach, Amit Grinvald Consulting
- Arvo Hartikainen: Director, Impact47
- Astrid Chedid: Regional Director for LAC and Spain, Annual Investment Meeting
- Ben Camara: Founder & CEO, KLIQ
- Bogdan Stanciu: Principal, Startup IQ
- Cairo Arévalo: Innovation & Special Projects, Promipyme
- Charles Kirkconnell: CEO, Cayman Enterprise City
- Charu Sharma: Founder I Angel Squad Member I Early-stage Startup Consultant, Riceberg Ventures I KickSky Space Lab
- Chloé Lozac’h: Venture Capital Investor, VU Venture Partners
- Christian Flemming: Managing Director, Mustang Engineering
- Clement Johnson: Head of Growth, SixBerries
- Dareem Jeffrey: Founder & CEO, EcoWash
- Diana Bernal 娜娜: Board Member, HubTropolis
- Donnie Bachan: Founder, SixBerries
- Dr. Aakanksha Shah: Venture Resident, Heinz Ventures
- Dr. Prapthi Bathini: Clinical Pharmacologist, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
- Dr. Yaniv Proselkov: Co-founder, Venture Scholar Studio
- Gabriela Corbera: Co-Founder & CEO, Luna Maps
- Gauri Deoras: Angel Squad Member, Hustle Fund
- Gregory Robinson: CEO, Native Films
- Inalcan Gulec: Senior Investment Associate, Eksim Ventures
- Jane (Evgeniya) Kubryak: Founder, Discover with Jane
- Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
- Jason Butcher: Founder & CEO, Orbit Capital
- Javier Grevely: Head of Strategy, Stealth
- Jeffrey Faustin: Managing Partner, Jenson Ventures
- JM HOLDER: Mr., ClearTrail
- John Outridge: CEO, The National Payment & Innovation Company of Trinidad & Tobago
- Johnathan Franklyn: Chief Investment Officer, Njord Investments Ltd
- John Manuel Rodriguez Cotua: Director, Meraki Business Academy
- Jorge Díaz: Founder & CEO, Domäne Capital
- Jose Aguilar: Consultant/Telecom Economist, Independent Consultant
- Joshua Errett: CEO, Friends & Family Pet Food Company
- Jule Goike: Director of Research and Development, Nephrodite
- Keith Chong: CEO, Syndesia Pte Ltd
- Kendell Harry: Strategic Business and Marketing Specialist, The Big Potato Podcast
- Keron Lewis: Managing Director, Code Canvas Consultants Ltd.
- Kurtis Rudd: CEO, KReative Branding Solutions
- Kyle Maloney: Co-Founder & Director, Tech Beach Retreat
- Larry Namer: Chairman , LJN Media
- Leane Rogers: Entrepreneur-in-Residence , Founder Institute Caribbean
- Lissette Anez: Founder, Sparktoria Tech
- Luis Florez: Founder & Managing Partner, Epic Partners
- Manish Balakrishnan: Chief Thinking Officer, DSHG Sonic
- Marcela Sabino: Venture Partner, Maxnx
- Marco Van Der Woude: Co-Founder & Head of Business Development, Breeze
- Micaela Di Julio: Program Manager, Visionary B2B and B2G Ecosystem
- Michael Queralt, Start Up - IQ
- Michael Jordan Pilgreen: Venture Partner, Maximus
- Natacha Ralainirina: Clinical Scientist, US San Diego
- Natasha Abdool: General Manager, Security Services Ltd.
- Neil Sumaru: Founder, Levuka Venture Lab
- Nita Penn: Researcher + Strategist, NAY Consulting Group LLC
- Omotoyosi Saint Cyr: Senior Manager, Commonwealth Corporation
- Pablo Sandoval: CEO, Kitmart Solutions
- Ragav Yarasi: Founder & CEO, Clikkin
- Rawle Annandsingh: Managing Director, Founder Institute Caribbean
- Rishika Agarwal: Founder, BioMed Sapience
- Robert Urbina: Director, Tarjetas y Transacciones en Red TRANRED, C.A.
- Robert Paty: Retired Executive, Nestle
- Robert Scarlett: CEO/Advisor, Hunter Scarlett Consulting
- Ronald Carter: Investor & Entrepreneur, Independent
- Ryan Micheletti: Head of Global Operations, Founder Institute
- Samantha Best: Founder, Voyant Media Solutions Limited
- Sasha Sternik: Independent Advisor , SAS Consulting
- Scarlett Arana: Co-Founder, BitBasel
- Scott Spiegel: Founder & CEO, BitBasel
- Shaaf Farooq: Program Manager, Clinic Innovation Hub | Venture Builder
- Shauna Smith: CEO, The Marketing Muse 360
- Shedron Collins: Chief Executive Officer, Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago
- Sherine Mungal: Co-Founder & Managing Director, Eidetic
- Stephan Morris: Founder & CEO, Digital Star Network
- Stephen Michael: Founder, Propel Earth
- Stuart Fraser: Co-Founder & Creative Director, Eidetic
- Stuart Fortuné: Author / Consultant / Regional Business Development Manager / Podcaster, From Ibadan To Hell Yard / PYZE / The Big Potato Podcast
- Sursatee Benny-Ali: Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Founder Institute Caribbean
- Tabitha Eliza Sophia: CEO, Aleonz Consultancy Sdn Bhd
- Tor Massoni Norheim: COO/Consultant , Luna Maps
- Wayne Beecher: Co-Director Jamaica, Founder Institute
- Yu Wen Chen: Director, Product & Strategy, Amyris
- Zahra Henry: Founder and CEO, ZLH Careers
- And many more to be announced.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch some of the fastest-rising startups across 6 continents, including Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more. The company's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program for talented and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs. Our program gives you a structured process and constant feedback from expert mentors and a global network of entrepreneurs. 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.
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.
