The Founder Institute, world's premier startup bootcamp for talented entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications for the Silicon Valley Spring 2026 Semester. The flagship Silicon Valley semester will now be in its 15th edition, with previous semesters having graduated great companies like Udemy, Retailigence, Cake Health, Getable, Breezy, Shopalize, Skimble, Yumvy, Spikes, and many more.
If you could benefit from expert training and advice to launch a technology startup in Silicon Valley, click here to apply today.
Those who apply by the Early Admissions Deadline (Jan 25, 2026) 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 Silicon Valley Founder Institute will host a "Pre-Curriculum" of free startup events for the general public:
Silicon Valley Events:
- How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building: 10:00am, Dec 18, 2025 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/384519
- 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/384750
- Co-Founder Networking: Find Your Perfect Match in 2026: 8:00am, Jan 06, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383166
- Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders: 10:00am, Jan 14, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385869
- Brainstorm a Great Startup Idea for 2026: Online Workshop: 5:00pm, Jan 20, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/384220
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 10:00am, Jan 26, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/381992
- Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 10:00am, Feb 02, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383681
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 5:00pm, Feb 09, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/383682
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 10:00am, Feb 17, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385044
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 10:00am, Feb 24, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385213
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 10:00am, Mar 03, 2026 (America/Los_Angeles): https://FI.co/e/385214
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
For the Silicon Valley Spring 2026 semester, a team of local Directors will bring fresh energy, international startup experience, intimate knowledge of the Founder Institute program and curriculum, and the personal support and network of Founder Institute CEO, Adeo Ressi. The directors include:
- Ana Baltodano: Ana Baltodano is the founder and CEO of Visualyst, an innovative social-retail destination for today's generation of online shoppers. She is also the co-founder of LocalHero, a friends-helping-friends location-based mobile application that connects people who need something with friends and people nearby who are more likely to be of help; and trip-Jane, the first social travel engine inside Facebook.
- Ryan Micheletti: Ryan Micheletti is the Regional Success Manager of the Americas at the Founder Institute, and is an Investor and Manager of Micheletti Enterprises, LLC, an investment company focused on early-stage startups, real estate, and bars. He is also the Director of Operations at Vet-Tech Startup Accelerator, the nation's leading entrepreneurship training center for military veterans.
- Tuyet Tan: Tuyet Tan is the Regional Success Manager of Asia at the Founder Institute. With considerable legal experience, Tuyet has functioned in a variety of legal roles, including Project Manager and Senior Research Associate at Mason Tillman Associates, Judicial Extern at San Francisco Superior Court, and contract attorney for numerous companies.
In addition, the Silicon Valley Founder Institute features some of the world's most experienced entrepreneurs as Mentors to help our new companies succeed. See the full list of mentors here.
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.
