Accelerator · California, United States

Founder Institute

A part-time pre-seed programme run through local chapters in 200+ cities, mostly online. Founders pay an entrance fee that varies by city and pledge 2.5% of future equity through a warrant.

Open · closes 21 Oct 2026

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published No direct investment; Founder Capital, FI's own fund, writes US$25k first checks to top performers
Instrument
not published
Equity taken
2.5% Founders pledge 2.5% of future equity to the Equity Collective through a warrant, which grants FI 2.5% at the first qualified equity financing
Programme fee
not published Entrance fee varies by city and deadline (US$1,199 for the Colorado-Silicon Valley Fall 2026 cohort); teams of 2-3 pay 1.5x and teams of 4-5 pay 2x; fully refundable before kickoff
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
Remote
Stages
Idea, pre-seed
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
Anywhere
Perks
not published

10 sessions plus a Funding Day. Between 20 and 50 founders typically enrol per cohort. Programmes are virtual unless a chapter specifies otherwise.

Application dates

Open · closes 21 Oct 2026Fall 2026, Colorado - Silicon Valley (online)

Fall 2026, Colorado - Silicon Valley (online): applications close 21 October 2026; the programme starts 21 October 2026.

Usual timing: Chapters run cohorts by term; Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 cohorts are listed, each with its own dates on the chapter page.

Who can apply

  • Aged over 18 and prepared to incorporate a company during the programme
  • Between idea stage and early revenue
  • Full-time and part-time founders are accepted
  • About 20 hours of work per week on average
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed

Companies it names as alumni

Udemy, Esusu

What founders should check

  1. It takes 2.5% equity. Work out what that stake costs you at your next round before you sign.
  2. Fees: Entrance fee varies by city and deadline (US$1,199 for the Colorado-Silicon Valley Fall 2026 cohort); teams of 2-3 pay 1.5x and teams of 4-5 pay 2x; fully refundable before kickoff.
  3. It runs remotely. Check the time zone of live sessions.
  4. Applications are open until 21 October 2026. That is less than a month away, so start the form now.

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