Build a Fundable, Global Startup in Cincinnati - Midwest

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

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Program Dates
Oct 27, 2026 Jan 20, 2027
Early Deadline
Jul 19, 2026
Early Entrance Fee
$799 $1299
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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
Oct 20, 2026
06:00pm CDT
Accelerator Kickoff
Oct 27, 2026
06:00pm CDT
Vision & Mission
Oct 28, 2026
06:00pm CDT
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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 Cincinnati - Midwest 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.

Craig Image

Craig Zingerline

Founder and CEO @ Growth Minded
Marshall Image

Marshall Stanton

Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer @ Catalina Marketing Corporation
Michael Image

Michael Kramer

Founder and CEO @ ManageHub, Inc.
Jeff Image

Jeff Lyons

Operating Director @ City Capital Advisors, LLC
Stephen Image

Stephen Meade

Founder & CEO @ MonetaPro
Rinku Image

Rinku Patel

Co-Founder & CEO @ Polysight

FI Partners

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

Connect with us

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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 9,000 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN 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.


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