The Founder Institute (http://FI.co), the world's premier idea-stage accelerator and startup launch program, announced today that it is exploring a new semester launch in Bucharest this Winter 2016.
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 like 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.
If you'd like to help bring a semester to Bucharest, then fill out an Interest Form, or attend a free event. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (Apr 26, 2026), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a Winter 2016 program.
The Founder Institute is the most challenging and effective step-by-step startup launch program for talented and motivated aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are serious about launching a startup, 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.
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.
In order to test demand for a Romania - Central Eastern Europe Fall 2026 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Bucharest:
- How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 9:00pm, Jun 08, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/399208
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 7:00pm, Jun 09, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398616
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 7:30pm, Jun 22, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/400773
- Economic Development: How to Build Entrepreneurial Communities: 6:00pm, Jun 23, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/400930
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 7:00pm, Jun 30, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/401119
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 7:00pm, Jul 07, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398722
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 7:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398675
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 3:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398705
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 3:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/399851
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 7:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398794
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 7:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/398262
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 7:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/399055
Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Bucharest include local startup leaders Alex M. Dascalu (President, German Center for Internationalization of Small and Medium Size Enterprises) and Marius Mitroi (Innovation funds consultant).
Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Bucharest Founder Institute program include:
- Lukas Korous: CTO & Co-Founder, https://flaerobotics.ai/
- And many more to be announced.
Help bring the Founder Institute to Bucharest and fill out an Interest Form today.
(Bucharest Aerial View of Parliament Palace at Sunset image by Shutterstock)
