Co-Director, Founder Institute Raleigh-Durham

Raleigh-Durham, NC, USA · Part-time (6–8 hrs/week once running; more during launch) · Equity + Commission

The Opportunity

We’re building Founder Institute Raleigh-Durham, with the program launching in Q1 2027. We already have an excellent local leader in place who is building a small team, and we’re looking for a Co-Director to join them. The Research Triangle combines top universities, Research Triangle Park, and a growing founder community. You’ll help take local founders from idea to funded with FI’s methodology, AI platform, and global network.

This role is for someone already in the trenches. You might be a founder who has built and raised, an ecosystem builder whose events people actually show up to, or an organizer who knows how to fill a room with the right people. You don’t need to be all of these. Your co-leaders will cover what you don’t.

About the Founder Institute

The Founder Institute is an AI-native company builder. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, we operate across 200+ cities in 100+ countries. We have helped launch 9,000+ portfolio companies valued at $20B+, and built a network of 40,000+ mentors and investors. Founders get startup-trained AI agents, personalized weekly sprints, and access to early investment at global scale. We don’t polish pitches. We help build companies with unicorn potential.

About the Role

As Co-Director, you’ll share ownership of the Raleigh-Durham chapter with our local leader. That includes recruiting founders, running the program, and connecting your cohort to mentors and investors. FI HQ provides training, playbooks, the FounderGen platform, co-marketing, and ongoing operational support. Selected leaders will be trained in Q4 2026. Expect a heavier lift during launch while you help recruit the first cohort, settling to 6–8 hours per week once the chapter is running.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside our local leader, bringing skills that complement theirs (operations, investing, partnerships)
• Recruit aspiring founders through local events and community outreach
• Help run program sessions and keep the chapter on schedule
• Recruit mentors, investors, and partners from the Triangle’s ecosystem
• Mentor and advise founders in the cohort, and connect them to capital
• Represent Founder Institute as one of its faces in Raleigh-Durham

Requirements

Required:

• Based in the Raleigh-Durham area, with an active presence in the local startup ecosystem
• At least one of the following:
  • Founder: you’ve launched a startup and raised capital, ideally with an exit.
  • Ecosystem builder: you have a visible network of founders, mentors, and investors.
  • Event organizer: you have a track record of running startup events people attend.
• Hands-on company-building experience. Advising, teaching, or selling services alone isn’t enough.
• Ability to bring senior mentors, partners, and investors from your network
• 6–8 hours per week once the chapter is running, with more during launch
• Comfortable using AI tools in daily work

Preferred:

• Leadership or organizing role in a startup community, accelerator, or startup event organization
• Angel investing or venture experience

Offering

• Equity + commission compensation: a share of program revenue from your chapter (typically $5k–$50k+ per semester, depending on enrollment, sponsorships, and partner programs, shared among co-leaders), plus equity in the companies you help build through FI’s Equity Collective, like an early angel investor
• Assistance in starting your own VC fund through our sister organization, VC Lab
• Training and onboarding through Accelerator Lab, plus FI’s playbooks and the FounderGen AI platform
• Access to FI’s global network of 40,000+ mentors and investors across 100+ countries
• Ongoing operational and marketing support from FI HQ
• Structured, high-quality dealflow and a front-row seat to the Triangle’s next generation of founders

Read more: https://fi.co/lead

Closing

Applications close November 13, 2026. To apply, submit your application here. Then you’ll be asked to take the Entrepreneur DNA Assessment, and will speak directly with our CEO about getting started.