A Berlin chapter of the global Founder Institute network that has launched 100+ startups since 2019.
- Location:
- Remote
- Duration:
- 13 weeks
What you need to qualify
- Founder Institute states that aspiring founders who are still employed full-time should apply.
- Solo founders and teams are both accepted.
- Founders of established companies should generally be less than a few years old and before significant funding, revenue or traction.
- Founders should be open to building an enduring business in a number of ways, whether through bootstrapping or funding. Funding is not a requirement.
- Companies with significant funding, traction or revenue should not apply; Founder Institute recommends seed accelerators instead.
- Service businesses such as marketing agencies should not apply, nor should founders looking to flip a company or get rich quickly.
- The Berlin chapter is delivered virtually, so you do not need to be in Berlin to take part, though in-person networking is offered.
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- All stages
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
How to apply
- 1
Open the Berlin chapter page, not the fi.co homepage
fi.co/apply/berlin carries this cohort's dates and fee. Avoid fi.co/join/berlin: fi.co geolocates the /join paths and serves the chapter nearest the visitor instead of Berlin.
- 2
Create a Founder Institute account
The form on the chapter page asks for first name, last name, email and a password before anything else, so applying starts by registering an account. Your admissions state then appears at the top of your profile page when logged in.
- 3
Submit the written application
Founder Institute weighs the written application alongside your professional background and input from the local chapter leaders.
- 4
Take the Entrepreneur DNA Assessment
The easily missed step. After the written materials you must complete a required online aptitude and personality test of roughly 30 minutes, which Founder Institute states has proven over 85% accurate in predicting entrepreneurial success.
- 5
Wait for a human review decision
Reviewers place each applicant in one of four categories: Accepted, Reviewing, Finalist or Declined.
- 6
Pay the entrance fee, ideally before the early deadline
The Germany entrance fee is $849 by the early deadline of Sep 15, 2026, rising to $1,149 after that.
- 7
Be ready for the kickoff
The cohort kicks off Oct 27, 2026 at 06:30pm CET, with Vision on Oct 28, 2026 and Validation on Nov 04, 2026, all at 06:30pm CET.