What we’re about
Startup Founder 101 brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.
This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.
Typical startup event topics include:
• Coming up with a strong startup idea
• Startup legal basics
• How to pitch your startup
• Starting a company without quitting your day job
• How to raise funding for your startup
• And much more!
Join the group to be invited to our next event!
Upcoming events
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Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders
•OnlineOnlineEarly-stage founders move faster when they validate smarter. This hands-on session walks through a simple, repeatable process for using AI to validate any startup idea in minutes. You'll learn how to clarify your concept, identify real customers, map competitors, and avoid the most common mistakes founders make. The session also includes a live demonstration of how AI can streamline validation and help you make confident go/no-go decisions. If you're looking for a smart, fast way to validate your startup idea, this event is for you!
❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22134 to get your link and join us live!
❯❯ What You'll Learn:
- Discover how to quickly validate your startup concept with AI, ensuring you're on the right track.
- Learn how to identify and engage real customers to solve actual pain points.
- Understand how to analyze competitors and refine your offering to stand out in the market.
- Gain the tools to make confident go/no-go decisions, minimizing risk and maximizing success.
❯❯ Featured Expert:
- Scott Ford - Co-founder & CEO @ SparkRockets: Scott is a growth-focused executive with experience scaling businesses from $7M to over $1.2B in SaaS, AI, and medical devices. As former COO of Techstars, he helped drive revenue from $20M to $80M globally, and at ZOLL Medical, he contributed to scaling a division from $7M to $50M, leading to a $2.2B acquisition. Currently, he co-leads SparkRockets, an AI-powered business validation platform. He specializes in go-to-market strategy, P&L management, and building high-performing teams, while mentoring emerging innovators at CU Boulder. His expertise lies in leading through change, scaling operations, and aligning cross-functional teams for growth.
❯❯ Who Should Attend?
- Early-stage founders looking to validate their startup ideas.
- Aspiring founders with a new business concept they want to bring to life.
- Entrepreneurs at the ideation stage seeking to refine their offerings.
- Anyone curious about being an entrepreneur someday.
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, learn about the Entrepreneur DNA test or sign up for the Insights Newsletter to get the latest startup tips and trends.
❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22134 to get your link and join us live!31 attendees
Founder Meet&Greet: In-Person Startup Networking New Years Edition!
The Social Hub Berlin, Alexanderstraße 40, Berlin, BE, DEWe are proud to continue this free flow meet & greet session in the Bar of the social hub with guided networking and great people from different angles of the Berlin startup ecosystem!
If you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Berlin, then join us for the in-person 'Founder Meet & Greet' event. At this informal networking event, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs, startup mentors, and advisors from the Founder Institute Berlin network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders, advisors, mentors and partners. Most of all, get away from the computer and have fun!
❯ Your hosts of the day:
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser (Business Angel & Coach, MD @ Founder Institute Berlin)
- Kaai Malkwitz (Impact Director @ Founder Institute Germany)
- Mats Kuuskema (Country Director Germany @e-Residency Estonia)
❯ Who should Attend?
- Anyone interested in entrepreneurship
- Anyone who has a pre-seed tech company or a startup idea
- Anyone interested in joining a startup accelerator
- Anyone who is looking for a cofounder or would want to join a startup as a cofounder
❯ What is the Agenda?
- (Guided) Networking, Socializing and Drinks
❯❯ This is a live offline event, to be sure to receive our updates be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/376735/meetup!
To join our upcoming Founder Institute program in October 2025, you can apply here: https://fi.co/Berlin. For more information about the investors, accelerators, incubators, and tech events available in Berlin, see our list of Startup Resources.
About Estonia e-Residency
Launched in 2014, e-Residency provides entrepreneurs from around the world secure digital access to Estonia's advanced e-services and transparent business environment. Today, the programme helps over 110,000 people and their businesses operate location independently. Here's how they do it and how they got here.
About Founder Institute
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 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN 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.323 attendees
FI Germany Fall 2025 Graduation:Meet the New Portfolio Companies(Hybrid Event)
•OnlineOnline🎓 Join us for the most recent Germany Graduation, where you can see an inspiring talk by and a few debut presentations from the new Alumni. Learn about some of the companies that will go onto seed-accelerators, raise funding, and build the next great Germany startups. There will also be an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and celebrate the new Graduates.
📅 On January 29th, 2025, we will gather graduates, mentors, investors, friends and future founders to celebrate the newest Graduates of the Fall chapter of the Founder Institute Berlin / Germany. In addition to the Graduation Ceremony, guests will be treated to short business pitches from the graduates.
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⚠️ ATTENTION: We will run this as a hybrid event with the possibility to attend on site in Berlin! We will charge a small cover charge for snacks & 1 drink for those joining us on site!
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🎟️ Please make sure to book an offline ticket if you want to join us on site in Berlin: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/founder-institute-germany-graduation-fall-2025-online-offline-tickets-1979234589938?aff=Meetup
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🌐 Online Location: Receive upon registering on the Founder Institute website or Eventbrite
📍 Offline Location: Receive upon booking an in person ticket at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.de/e/founder-institute-germany-graduation-fall-2025-online-offline-tickets-1979234589938?aff=Meetup)
We expect to see around 7 companies graduating from a wide array of topics ranging from bringing more money to delivery riders, the best way to set up battery solutions next to your renewable energy sites all the way to the tastiest vegan patties ever! This is the last chance to see the Fall 2025 cohort in its entirety and the first chance to see them as Founder Institute graduated companies!
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❯ Who Should Attend?
Angel investors, early-stage venture capital firms, Founder Institute Mentors, Graduates, friends and family are all invited to attend. You are welcome to share this link with interested friends and colleagues. As we will announce opening of our next batch bound to start in March, entrepreneurs interested in founding a new company are also very welcome!4 attendees
Founder Meet&Greet: In-Person Startup Networking Winter Edition!
The Social Hub Berlin, Alexanderstraße 40, Berlin, BE, DEWe are proud to continue this free flow meet & greet session in the Bar of the social hub with guided networking and great people from different angles of the Berlin startup ecosystem!
If you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Berlin, then join us for the in-person 'Founder Meet & Greet' event. At this informal networking event, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs, startup mentors, and advisors from the Founder Institute Berlin network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders, advisors, mentors and partners. Most of all, get away from the computer and have fun!
❯ Your hosts of the day:
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser (Business Angel & Coach, MD @ Founder Institute Berlin)
- Kai Malkwitz (Impact Director @ Founder Institute Germany)
- Euan Hintze (Banking Expert @ Qonto)
- Alexander Fahnemann (Banking Expert @ Qonto)
- Daniela Vollner (Marketing Expert @ Qonto)
❯ Who should Attend?
- Anyone interested in entrepreneurship
- Anyone who has a pre-seed tech company or a startup idea
- Anyone interested in joining a startup accelerator
- Anyone who is looking for a cofounder or would want to join a startup as a cofounder
- Anyone who is looking for a modern business bank account
❯ What is the Agenda?
- (Guided) Networking, Socializing and Drinks
❯❯ This is a live offline event, to be sure to receive our updates be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/376736/meetup!
To join our upcoming Founder Institute program in March 2025, you can apply here: https://fi.co/Germany. For more information about the investors, accelerators, incubators, and tech events available in Berlin, see our list of Startup Resources.
About Qonto:
Qonto is Europe’s leading financial management solution for founders, freelancers, and small to medium-sized businesses, serving more than 600,000 clients across eight countries. Founded by Alexandre Prot and Steve Anavi, Qonto has been transforming business finance since 2017. The platform combines business banking, invoicing, accounting, and expense management in a single intuitive solution. Through Qonto’s company formation services, over 250,000 businesses have already been established across Europe. With more than €600 million in funding and an international team of over 1,600 employees, Qonto is redefining financial management for European businesses – with innovative products, transparent pricing, and 24/7 customer support. Click here to open your business account: https://www.qonto.com
About Founder Institute
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 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN 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.20 attendees
Past events
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