The FI Network is celebrating 15 Years of empowering entrepreneurs worldwide! Learn more.

Build a Fundable, Global Startup in Columbus

The Founder Institute is the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses.

See other FI Chapters
Virtual First
Program Dates
Mar 18, 2025 Jun 11, 2025
Early Deadline
Dec 8, 2024
Early Entrance Fee
$499 $799
zoom bg Image

The Core Experience

You don't have to do it alone. Alongside other like-minded entrepreneurs, you will build your business in a structured, proven process.

Proven Process to Build Quickly & Cheaply

In development since 2009
Updated frequently based on global feedback

Highly Structured and Sequential

Clear growth sprints with weekly deliverables
Engineered to reduce complexity and help you focus

Constant Feedback from Mentors

14 Weekly Feedback Sessions and Office Hours on your pitch, progress, and data to help you make the right decisions
Office hours provide individual, personalized time with industry experts

Session Calendar

Below are the dates for the upcoming program

Onboarding
Mar 11, 2025
07:00pm EDT
Accelerator Kickoff
Mar 18, 2025
07:00pm EDT
Vision & Mission
Mar 19, 2025
07:00pm EDT
View Full curriculum

Featured Grad

FI Grad Company

From our Silicon Valley chapter, Udemy is the global leader in online learning, with nearly 200,000 courses. The company went public on the NASDAQ in October 2021, raising $421 million.

FI Grad

The real question is: can the Founder Institute be game-changing for your business? The answer is yes. Without FI, Udemy may have never raised any money.

Gagan Biyani
/
Udemy (IPO, 2021)

Join an Online Information Session

Sign up for an upcoming info session to learn more and chat with our team. There are several sessions per week across most time zones.

Ecosystem Highlights

We're your local chapter! We live here and we want to grow along with you. Leverage our deep connections in the Columbus startup ecosystem to propel your business forward.

Connect with Top Partners and Investors
Network with local Founders
Raise your startup's status in the ecosystem

Mentors

Our Mentors bring real-life experience and expertise so you can make timely decisions quickly.

Mike Image

Mike Kritzman

Founder & CEO @ SkillNet
Chris Image

Chris Foltz

Entrepreneur In Residence @ Founder Institute + Responsible Solutions Ltd + IRG 100 CMO's & Change Agents
Joe Image

Joe Born

CEO @ Aiwa Corp.
Jeff Image

Jeff Lyons

Operating Director @ City Capital Advisors, LLC
Reva Image

Reva Minkoff

Founder and President @ DigitalGroundUp Inc. and Digital4Startups Inc.
Gary Image

Gary Gaessler

SaaS Community Builder @ Nylas, Co-Founder of CloudElements

FI Partners

Quickly increase connections to other ecosystem organizations, investors, and industry experts.

Connect with us

Have any questions?

Apply

or Apply with
Already Have an Account?

The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,500 entrepreneurs raise over $1.85BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.


Copyright © 2024, Founder Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved