What Is the Founder Institute (FI)? A Personal Introduction from a Graduate
As a proud FI graduate myself, I’d like to take this opportunity to properly introduce what FI is and what makes it so impactful.
What is the Founder Institute (FI)?
The Founder Institute is the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, headquartered in Silicon Valley, with cohorts running in over 200 cities worldwide. Getting accepted is competitive, but graduating is even more challenging. Notable alumni include companies like Udemy.
The program is conducted online in English and is open to anyone. That said, most non-Japanese founders who choose the Japan cohort already live in Japan or have a strong interest in the Japanese market—whether it’s the business ecosystem, anime culture, or its aging society.
Why the Japan Cohort Is Especially Challenging for Non-Japanese Founders
Graduating from the Japan cohort is tough even for Japanese participants—but it’s an even steeper climb for non-Japanese founders. In addition to refining their business fundamentals, they must continually answer the question: “Why Japan?”
With limited local connections, founders are expected to conduct numerous customer interviews and build relationships within a short time frame. It takes serious commitment, action, and resilience.
What You Get After Graduation
Graduates receive lifetime access to a range of support programs, including:
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Post-Program Fundraising Accelerator: A resource exclusively for alumni (I’ve personally participated).
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VIP Events Around the World: Invitation-only gatherings across the U.S. and other countries.
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Equity Warrant Cash-Out: When raising a priced round (e.g., Series A), FI may exercise a 2.5% warrant—agreed upon during the program—and convert it into cash at fair market value.
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Example: At a US$10M valuation, FI pays US$250,000, which is equivalent to 2.5% (and is generally somewhat diluted by then).
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Final Thoughts
The Founder Institute is a rigorous, online bootcamp-style accelerator that truly sharpens a founder’s capabilities. I hope more Japanese entrepreneurs take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
