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Build a Startup with Cairo’s Top Investors and Founders| MENA 2026, Founder Institute
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- EgyptInnovate
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Problem
The Founder Institute is the world’s premier pre-seed startup accelerator, established in Silicon Valley and active across 200+ cities globally. For the Egypt-MENA 2026 chapter, FI is now accepting applicant teams who seek to utilize a structured program, mentorship from top Egyptian entrepreneurs and investors, and a proven process to build a scalable company.
Requirements and Constraints
- Teams or solo founders at the pre-seed stage (including working full-time job, solo founder, or early team) who aim to build a startup.
- Must commit to the structured weekly sessions from May to August 2026.
- Open to applicants across Egypt and the MENA region.
- No funding or prototype required to apply.
- Applications accepted until the final deadline.
Early Application Deadline: January 25, 2026
Final Application Deadline: May 10, 2026
Link of application
Expected Deliverables
Throughout the program, founders are expected to:
- Attend all accelerator sessions (listed below)
- Refine their startup idea and business model
- Conduct customer development
- Build a validated revenue model
- Develop an initial product roadmap
- Prepare and deliver pitches
- Complete legal and company structure tasks
- Demonstrate progress during mentor and investor reviews
- Finalize core materials needed for the graduation phase
Deadline & Reward
Ends
All submissions must be completed by Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM. Late entries may not be considered.
Key Benefits for the Participants:
- Structured 14-week accelerator led by top investors and founders
- Access to the global FI network (8,100+ graduates and $1.9 billion+ raised globally to date).
- Mentorship and training by Egypt’s top startup leaders and investors (names listed in the mentor section).
- Exposure to investor & founder ecosystem in Cairo and across FI’s global network.
- Opportunity to transform an idea into a fundable startup via structured process backed by FI’s track record