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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 Ottawa this Fall 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.

So far, the Founder Institute has launched two successful chapters in Canada - in Montreal and Toronto - and hopes to continue their progress in Ottawa. Some of the Founder Institute's top graduates have come out of its Canadian chapters, including LogrrHeddokoMakerBloks, Hykso, UnitoAirvinciCubbySpot, and more. With innovative thought leaders and a growing tech community, Canada is quickly becoming a new hotspot for startups.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. As such, everything happening there has an influence in the rest of the country. Not only we will boost the Ottawa tech ecosystem, but we have a unique chance to influence public policies around innovation and entrepreneurship in the whole country. After successfully launching FI in Montreal and Toronto, this is the final step for completing the implementation of a Silicon Valley mindset in Canada." - Sergio Escobar, Co-Director of the Founder Institute

If you'd like to help bring a semester to Ottawa, then fill out an Interest Form. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (Apr 10, 2017), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a Fall 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 Ottawa Spring 2017 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Ottawa:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession

Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in Ottawa include local startup leaders Sergio Escobar (Program Director, Techstars Startups Program), Shawna Tregunna (Founder, ReSoMe - Relevant Social Media), and Stefan Celeski (Ecosystem Specialist, Invest Ottawa).

The startup ecosystem in Ottawa is at an exciting point in its growth; we have some established and strong founders, organizations, and communities leading the way that are reaching maturity, and people are starting to notice. The Founder Institute is a perfect fit for Ottawa as more people realize the value in becoming an entrepreneur in a space that offers them freedom, control and autonomy." - Shawna Tregunna, Co-Director of the Ottawa Founder Institute

Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Ottawa Founder Institute program include:

  • Alain Goubau: COO & CFO, FarmLead
  • Bruce Fischer: Director & CEO, Fischer Group Inc.
  • Carrie Anne Mercer: Founder and CEO, Connected Accelerated Marketing (CAM)
  • Chris Saracino: President, Standard Media Services
  • Colin Wrynn: Partner, LaBarge Weinstein LLP
  • David Hicks: Founder
  • Dennis Van Staalduinen: President & Executive Strategist, Brandvelope Consulting
  • George Borovec: Innovation Coordinator, Invest Ottawa
  • Graeme Barlow: CEO, Quantum Liquid Cooling Inc.
  • Jean Yves Martineau: CTO, FunWall Gaming Inc.
  • Jeff Bennett: Associate Partner & C-Level Advisor, Pivot & Edge - Positive Venture Group
  • Jonathan Snook: President, Snook.ca Inc.
  • Josh Garellek: CEO
  • Lee Silverstone: Co founder/ EVP strategic partnerships, Mystral Venture Partners
  • Matthias Bedard: Co-Founder & CTO
  • Mikael Charette: COO, WEllfunded Enterprise
  • Moktar Yusuf: CEO, Zoommate
  • Nazim Ahmed: Co-founder and CEO, CanvasPop
  • Nick Davies: Founder & CEO, zazuhōm
  • Nolan Beanlands: Executive Director, Capital Angel Network
  • Pablo Srugo: Principal, Mistral Venture Partners
  • Pat Crosscombe: Founder & CEO, BoardSpace
  • Paul Dombowsky: Founder, Ideavibes
  • Peter Stewart: Business Coach
  • Przemyslaw (Marco) Janeczek: Managing Partner, Infinite Venture Partners
  • Shahzad Khan: CTO, Gnowit Inc
  • Shawna Tregunna: Former founder, successfully acquired, now Director, Iversoft & Founder Institute
  • Susan Richards: Managing Partner, CEO, Numbercrunch, Givopoly
  • Suzanne Grant: cofounder and ceo, iBIONICS
  • Taylor Sicard: Co-Founder, BVGrowth
  • Tim Upton: CEO & Co-Founder, TITUS Inc.
  • Tim Jodoin: Founder - President, Edispin Inc.
  • Vicki Iverson: Co-founder, CTO, Iversoft Solutions Inc
  • Zach Gaunce: Commercial Account Manager, Knowledge Based Industries, RBC

  • And many more to be announced.

 

Help bring the Founder Institute to Ottawa and fill out an Interest Form today.

(Aerial view of Ottawa image by Shutterstock)

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