Founder Institute
Founder Institute is a global pre-seed program that takes founders from idea to fundable company through about 10 sessions and a Funding Day, run by local chapters in 200+ cities as well as online. Participants pay an entrance fee (e.g. $1,399 for San Francisco) and pledge 2.5% of future equity to a shared Equity Collective that activates only at a qualified financing.
At a glance
Founder Institute key facts
- Equity
- 2.5%
- Deal terms
- No investment; entrance fee (e.g. $1,399 in SF) plus 2.5% equity pledge to the Equity Collective
- Duration
- ~10 sessions plus Funding Day
- Format
- Hybrid
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, United States
- Cohort locations
- Global (200+ cities); Online
- Stage
- idea, pre-seed
- Sectors
- general
- Application cycle
- Multiple cohorts a year per city
Verified November 3, 2026 against the sources below. Terms change; confirm on the official site before applying.
Timing
Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 cohorts listed; no specific deadlines published on the homepage.
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Notable alumni
- Udemy
- Esusu
- Oddbox
Sources
FAQ
Applying to Founder Institute
- How much does Founder Institute invest?
- Founder Institute's standard deal: No investment; entrance fee (e.g. $1,399 in SF) plus 2.5% equity pledge to the Equity Collective.
- How much equity does Founder Institute take?
- Founder Institute takes 2.5% equity.
- When is the Founder Institute application deadline?
- Application cycle: Multiple cohorts a year per city. Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 cohorts listed; no specific deadlines published on the homepage.
- Where is Founder Institute based?
- Founder Institute is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States. The program runs hybrid. Cohorts run in Global (200+ cities), Online.
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