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!
Sponsors
See all
Lutz & AbelLUTZ | ABEL is recognized as one of Germany’s leading law firms.
SoftUp TechnologiesSoftup Technologies is a technical partner for early stage startups.
Founder Institute BerlinMembers apply for free to the Founder Institute accelerator
Free $99 "Startup & Go" E-CourseGet free access to an e-course featuring lectures from top entrepreneurs- Lutz & AbelLUTZ | ABEL is recognized as one of Germany’s leading law firms.
- SoftUp TechnologiesSoftup Technologies is a technical partner for early stage startups.
- Founder Institute BerlinMembers apply for free to the Founder Institute accelerator
- Free $99 "Startup & Go" E-CourseGet free access to an e-course featuring lectures from top entrepreneurs
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Pitch Your Ideas to Germany Investors & Experts, OnlineLink visible for attendees
Do you have a startup, or a strong idea for a startup? On this live and interactive online event you can pitch your ideas to a panel of Germany startup investors and experts for ratings and feedback, and no formal pitch deck is needed (3 minute audio pitches only). Even if you don't want to pitch, you are invited to hear startup ideas and watch how the experts analyze business ideas. We will be selecting pitches live from the chat.
❯ Featuring:
- Jonathan Eade (Venture Partner, Sansar Ventures)
- Tienko Rasker (Founder & CEO, Leapfunder)
- Marco Hinz (CEO, CrossLend)
Additional Information:
To prepare, start with your one-sentence pitch. See how it's done using our Madlibs format. 3 minutes is much more than 1 sentence, but the clearer you are on your mission, the more compelling longer pitches become.❯ What You'll Learn:
- How to give a concise, yet compelling, elevator pitch.
- What investors are looking for in a startup pitch.
- If selected, specific advice and feedback on your pitch and startup ideas.
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, discover Pitch Deck formats, learn about Funding Benchmarks and Milestones, or visit our Insights Blog for more startup tips.❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/364629/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
- Founder Meet&Greet: In-Person Startup Networking New Years Edition!The Social Hub Berlin, Berlin
We are proud to continue this free flow meet & greet session in the Bar of the social hub with some of our wonderful FI Berlin graduates!
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!
❯ You hosts of the day:
- Rikke Klitskov (MD @Founder Institute Berlin)
- Ferdinand Mühlhäuser (Business Angel & Coach, MD @ Founder Institute Berlin)
❯ 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 an easy solution to incorporate a company
❯ What is the Agenda?
- 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/358976/meetup!
To join our upcoming Founder Institute program in March 2025, register to be the first to know when we are ready to take applications at 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 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. - FI Germany Fall 2024 Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio CompaniesClose to Oraninenplatz in Kreuzberg, find details in lu.ma upon booking, Berlin
Join us for the most recent Founder Institute 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.
❯ ATTENTION: We will run this event 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! Please make sure to book an offline ticket if you want to join us on site in Berlin ( https://lu.ma/dki4xgfa)!
- Online Location
- In person Location in Kreuzberg: purchase ticket here.
We expect to see around 11 companies graduating from a wide array of topics ranging from regaining your sense of smell, a great solution to keep your balcony green all the way to a solution for homeless people! This is the last chance to see the Fall 2024 cohort in its entirety and the first chance to see them as Founder Institute graduated companies!
But that is not all, we will feature serial founder and long standing Founder Institute supporter Christian Rebernik as our keynote speaker!
The Founder Institute startup accelerator is an extremely challenging program, and graduating is a significant achievement. In fact, less than 40% of applicants are accepted to the program, and less than 30% of those generally make it through. Being a Founder Institute Graduate Company is a seal of approval, signifying that company's founders, mission, model, and plans are being validated by experienced startup CEOs.
❯ 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!❯ Agenda
6:45pm - 7:00pm: Enter Zoom waiting area / arrive at physical event location (location available upon ticket purchase here.
7:00pm - 7:20pm: Opening Remarks by Rikke Klitskov & Ferdinand Mühlhäuser
7:20pm - 7:40pm: Keynote by Christian Rebernik (Founder of Tomorrow University)
7:40pm - 8:20pm: Graduates' Presentations 1
8:20pm - 8:50pm: Break
8:50pm - 9:30pm: Graduates' Presentations 2
9:30pm - 10:00pm: Graduation Ceremony
10:00pm - 01:00am: Networking, band & drinks at a bar nearby!❯❯ RSVP below:
- Online Location
- In person Location in Kreuzberg: purchase ticket here.
- Startup Funding in Germany: 2025 Market Overview & Fundraising InsightsLink visible for attendees
Join us for an exclusive Founder Institute event, where we bring together a panel of esteemed investors to discuss the German startup funding scene, get their insights on the current investment landscape, trends, and opportunities, and learn how to increase the chances of raising the next round for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Our panel of prominent VCs and angels will share their perspectives on the German fundraising scene in 2024, their expectations for 2025, their insights on securing funding, the key factors they consider when evaluating startups, and the common pitfalls to avoid during the fundraising process.
In addition to gaining expert advice on startup funding, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the Founder Institute's accelerator programs, which have helped thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide turn their ideas into successful businesses.
❯ Featuring:
- Mohammad Hossein Tavangar (Director, Founder Institute Germany)
- Joerg Geier (Director, Executive Education & Sustainability Programs, Thunderbird School of Global Management)
- Robert Stoecker (Principal, AENU)
- Ben Wilkening (Vision Lab Partner at Earlybird Venture Capital)
❯ Event Highlights:
- A panel discussion featuring top VCs in the German startup ecosystem
- Q&A session, allowing attendees to ask questions and engage with the speakers
- Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals
- Information on the Founder Institute's accelerator programs and how they can help startups secure funding and grow
❯ What You'll Learn:
- The current market situation and the market outlook in 2025 for Founders and VCs
- Key metrics and pre-requisites for raising funding in 2025
- How to make yourself more attractive to investors
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/358977/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
