About us
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.\
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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.\
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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!\
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Join the group to be invited to our next event!
Upcoming events
4
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset
·OnlineOnlineAre you still waiting for the "right time" to start your startup? Join Jonathan Greechan, Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, for a live online event designed to help aspiring founders overcome hesitation and take immediate action on their startup ambitions. In this practical, mindset-focused session, you'll uncover the four mental excuses that kill momentum, learn why they feel so convincing, and discover how successful entrepreneurs shift from avoidance to action. You'll leave with the confidence, clarity, and tools to start your startup, plus a networking session to put your mindset into action.
❯❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21514 to get your link and join us live!
❯ What You'll Learn:
- How to move from hesitation to action and stop waiting for the "perfect time"
- The 4 core mental barriers that keep you stuck in the startup journey
- The key mindset shifts from “It’s not my fault” to “What can I do differently?”
- How to train your mind to embrace progress and overcome excuses with clarity and confidence
- Practical exercises to leave the event feeling empowered and ready to take the next step
❯ Featured Speaker:
- Jonathan Greechan - Co-Founder & CEO at Founder Institute: Since 2009, Jonathan has grown and scaled the world's largest pre-seed accelerator to chapters in over 200 cities and 100 countries, producing over 8,900 portfolio companies with an estimated value of $2BN. He also serves as an Advisor to Oxford Entrepreneurs (Oxford University), Horasis, and the USC Incubator (University of Southern California). Previously, Jonathan was a Partner of TheFunded.com, the first website for founders to rate and review venture capitalists, and an Executive Producer of the Founder Showcase. This leading Silicon Valley startup conference hosted speakers like Elon Musk. Jonathan’s writing has been featured in Fortune, TechCrunch, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and he has spoken at startup conferences on four continents.
❯ Who Should Attend:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to understand how founders approach challenges and opportunities.
- Corporate innovators and intrapreneurs interested in applying startup methodologies to accelerate growth.
- Anyone curious about entrepreneurship and how to bring a “startup mindset” into their everyday work and decision-making.
- Early stage founders eager to learn from Silicon Valley insights and global startup best practices.
❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/21514 to get your link and join us live!
5 attendees
Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships
·OnlineOnlineInnovation districts thrive when they are not isolated but instead connected to broader networks. By leveraging regional and private partnerships, these districts can tap into global talent, investors, and mentors, accelerating growth and fostering innovation. Using Penn West as a successful example, this session will demonstrate how collaboration between local governments and private enterprises can create vibrant ecosystems that attract resources from beyond local boundaries. Learn how these strategic partnerships can transform innovation districts into dynamic hubs for startup success and economic growth.
❯ What You'll Learn:
- Learn how local governments and private companies can work together effectively.
- Understand how connecting with global networks can drive growth and innovation.
- Discover how partnerships can create long-term economic success for innovation districts.
❯❯ RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22895 to get your link and join us live!
❯ Featured Experts:
- Paul O'Brien - Head of Public Affairs @ Founder Institute: a startup economist and ecosystem strategist with 25 years in venture capital, public policy, and economic development.
- Elizabeth Packer - Director of Economic Development @ Golden Triangle: an urban planner and economic development strategist with more than a decade of experience advancing entrepreneurship, investment, and community revitalization.
- Guc Ozenci - Innovation Partner at Founder Institute: Managing Director of Founder Institute in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, where he has built a portfolio of over 40 early-stage companies.
- Adam Lattimore - Director of Technology and Innovation at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development: an experienced leader with over 10 years in the nonprofit and government sectors.
❯ Who Should Attend?
If you work in economic development, government, or civic leadership, this is not another “innovation showcase.” It’s a reckoning with what your region needs to stop doing, and what you must do next, if you want your founders to thrive and your city to serve and attract venture capital to close the gap on the challenges entrepreneurs there have finding it.❯❯ Don’t miss this live, interactive online event packed with valuable insights! RSVP now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/22895 to get your link and join us live!
1 attendee
Founder Institute Midwest Graduate Showcase & Networking Event
Workbox Chicago - River North, 306 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL, USThe Founder Institute is the world's most challenging and effective program to start a company. Join us and meet some of our Chicago Graduates, where you can see presentations from founders who are building great startups. Learn the tips and tricks to building a company in Chicago, and ask Graduates about their experience in the Founder Institute program. Angels, venture capitalists, media, mentors and the general public are invited to meet the some recent Graduates of the Founder Institute and learn about the diverse businesses that they are building. Sponsors are Workbox and Trigent Software.
❯ What You'll Learn:
- How Founder Institute can assist you in launching your startup
- How startup founders are building their companies
- Where to find local resources to support your startup
❯ About the Featured Graduates:
- Bill Colbert - Co-Founder of Fitcopilot - Health club member engagement reimagined.
- Dapo Kolawole - Co-Founder of Roomii - User-friendly online platform that streamlines the process of selling pre-owned furniture.
- Diane Moca - Founder of MomSub - Childcare marketplace reducing the stress of finding and managing weekly and backup care
- Carmelina Piedra - Founder of MyGrowthub - Platform for coaches to launch and grow a coaching business.
- David Wishnick - Co-Founder of Nutraberry - Upcycler of natural functional berry seed flours and oils.
❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/387827/meetup to secure your spot and receive further details.
❯ 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
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❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/387827/meetup to secure your spot and receive further details.12 attendees
Founder Night Out: In-Person Startup Networking in Chicago
Moe's Cantina River North, 155 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL, USIf you have a startup idea or a growing company and you want to expand your network in Chicago, then join us for the in-person 'Founder Night Out' event. At this informal networking event, you can connect with other early-stage entrepreneurs, startup mentors, and advisors from the Founder Institute network. Socialize over drinks with potential co-founders, advisors, mentors and partners. Most of all, get away from the computer and have fun!
❯ Guest Speakers include:
- Jason Jacobsohn (Managing Director, Propellant Ventures)
- Andy Cwik (Co-Founder & CEO, hubub)
❯ 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
❯ What is the Agenda?
Networking, Socializing and Drinks❯❯ This is an in-person event, so be sure to RSVP at https://FI.co/e/388346 to secure your spot and receive further details.
5 attendees
Past events
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