Founder Institute, World’s Largest Startup Accelerator, testing launch in Lagos

The Founder Institute (http://FI.co), the world’s largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, announced today that it is exploring a new semester launch in Lagos this Spring 2015.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 cities and 50 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 1,550 companies – including fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, iCarsClub, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more. The company’s mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

If you’d like to help bring a semester to Lagos, then fill out an Interest Form. If enough people complete this form by the Launch Deadline (2015-08-16), then the Founder Institute will formally launch a 2015 program.

The Founder Institute is a part-time, four-month program where promising entrepreneurs can “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses and expert feedback from business mentors. Plus, you are not required to quit your day job to participate, so you can begin building a business around your ideas without putting your livelihood at risk.

In order to test demand for a 2015 program, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events:

• Making the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur
  2015-08-01, 06:30 PM

• Startup Founder 101
  2015-08-08, 04:00 PM

• Founder Institute Information Session
  2015-08-15, 04:00 PM

• See all upcoming events

Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Lagos are Dayo Adefila (Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Hotsauce Ltd); Joseph Iruafemi (Business/Lead Developer, Websphere Solutions); and Olusegun Olukoya (Assistant Vice President, Nextzon Business Sevices).

“Lagos is now on the global technology map and this has raised the stakes and encouraged the emergence of several local technology entrepreneurs seeking to provide products and services that address Africa’s unique challenges. FI’s presence in Lagos and its unique methodology will undoubtedly support the emergence of these entrepreneurs as they design and develop their products to meet the needs of their chosen markets.” – Segun Olukoya

Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Lagos Founder Institute program include:

Other successful entrepreneurs who have pledged their support to mentor founders in a Lagos Founder Institute program include:

• Bankole Alonge: Solicitor, Akinla Alonge Akpomiemie & Akintomide LLP
• Chuka Ofili: Co-Founder, Delivery Science
• Demola Aladekomo: Group Managing Directo, CHAMS PLC
• Marek Zmyslowski: MD, Jovago.com
• Mark Essien: Founder, Hotels.ng
• Mayowa Owolabi: Co-Founder, Mobile Monday Nigeria
• Morakinyo Animasaun: CEO, Netplus Limited
• Nwachukwu Onyeaso: CEO, Push and Start Crowdfunding Platform
• Olalekan Olude: Co-Founder and SVP, Jobberman.com
• Raphael Afaedor: CEO, Supermart.ng
• Tomi Davies: Co-Founder and President, African Business Angels Network (ABAN)
• Tunde Owoeye: CEO, Phoster Solutions Limited

• And many more to be announced.

Help bring the Founder Institute to Lagos and fill out an Interest Form today.