Lead a Chapter
Become a Local Leader of the Founder Institute chapter in your city and work with aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors and investors to launch global tech businesses. We are excited for you to learn more about running our proven pre-seed accelerator and explore joining over 500 Local Leaders worldwide. The Founder Institute is working to make the world a better place through technology and entrepreneurship.
60,000+
Applicants across 6 continents8,100
Tech Companies LaunchedThe Perfect Candidate
Experienced Founder
You are an experienced Founder in your ecosystemn that built a successful startup and other Founders seek you out for mentoring and advice on a regular basis.
Early-Stage Investor
You are an angel investor or a VC and have invested in several startups. You have developed a portfolio and you enjoy being hands-on and advising the founders.
Community Builder
You organize tech and startup events, actively contribute to initiatives for the startup community, and have strong connections with mentors, investors, accelerators, and partners in your city.
Ecosystem Developer
You are positioned and can leverage relationships with universities, governments, or corporates to drive impactful entrepreneurship programs that foster economic development.
Local Leader Responsibilities
Community
Host online and in-person startup events and meetups to build a local community around your FI chapter. Continue building your own network in the startup ecosystem.
Founders
Connect with potential founders who want to join the accelerator to help them understand the opportunity. Mentor founders in a group setting during the sessions and host 1-on-1 office hours.
Mentors & Investors
Build relationships with experienced entrepreneurs and investors from your ecosystem and invite them to speak at your events or to mentor at sessions of your FI accelerator.
Partners
Leverage existing relationships with universities, governments, and corporates, to drive impactful initiatives. Secure support from the players in the community, such as coworking spaces, event organizers and media.
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Running FI Toronto helps me build and access deal flow of high quality early-stage stage startups.
Sunil SharmaFI Canada -
Founder Institute is consistently developing new tactics to run a startup accelerator and defining best practices for the industry!
Eva Dimitrova WorstFI Germany -
The feedback from our partners and the founders themselves has been overwhelmingly positive, with founders praising the quality of the FI platform and curriculum.
Levi ReedFI Seattle -
Founder Institute's company building methodology truely works. The structured weekly sprints keep founders focused, accountable, and moving forward, while the program’s hands-on approach and mentor feedback helps them refine their startup idea and develop critical aspects of the business.
Janet TodorovaFI Central Eastern Europe -
Founder Institute delivered world-class acceleration experiences tailored for Pakistani founders. The training, structure, and network provided by FI empowered NIC to support startups more effectively and sustainably.
Sayyed Ahmad MasudFI Pakistan
What are the Benefits?
Founder Institute’s Face
Local Leaders are the face of the Founder Institute in the local startup ecosystem. By leveraging our global brand you can get recognition, speaking opportunities, media coverage, among others.
Global Network
As a Local Leader of a Founder Institute chapter you join a global network of 500+ Local Leaders and 35 000+ Mentors and Investors. You can reach a fellow FI leader in every corner of the world to help you with your own business initiatives.
Startup Mentor
You mentor idea-stage and pre-seed stage founders in your startup ecosystem to help them build successful technology businesses. You have early access to some of the most promising companies in your ecosystem.
Get Equity
The startups you work with in the FI accelerator become your portfolio companies. You get a share in the equity returns from startups that you help to create.
Powered by the Founder Institute
Based in Silicon Valley, the Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, FI's accelerators have helped launch thousands of fast-growing, funded technology companies across nearly every geography, industry, and sector.
8,100+
Portfolio Companies
1.9BN+
Portfolio Company Funding
200+
Chapter Cities
100+
Chapter Countries
6
Continents
35,000+
Global Mentors & Advisors
Frequently Asked Questions
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Founder Institute chapters operate under two primary models: the Equity Collective Model and the Paid Partnership Model. The Equity Collective Model is ideal for mature ecosystems with high demand, where founders contribute equity and pay a small entrance fee. The Paid Partnership Model is used in emerging ecosystems, where partnerships with universities, governments, or corporates help sustain the program financially. Local Leaders play a crucial role in driving the success of these models.
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Local Leaders are typically not paid a salary but instead get a % cut from the entrance fees that the founders pay to join the accelerator and also benefit from equity compensation through the Equity Collective Model. In some cases, if the Paid Partnership Model is in place, Local Leaders may receive monetary compensation, often through funding provided by the chapter’s partners. Local Leaders also gain valuable exposure to the startup ecosystem, develop their network, and become exposed to various opportunities in their startup ecosystem.
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No, you do not need to pay anything to become a Local Leader. However, to be considered for the role, candidates should demonstrate strong connections to their local startup ecosystem. This could include being a former founder, active community builder, or having relationships with angel investors, advisors, or other key players in the local startup scene such as universities, governments and corporates.
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Yes, many Local Leaders run their FI chapter alongside their full-time job or business. The role typically requires 6–10 hours per week, which can often be managed alongside other professional commitments. However, you’ll need to be highly organized and passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in your community.
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 8,100 entrepreneurs raise over 1.9BN 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.
