Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future. As a result, the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Windhoek, Namibia ’s capital city. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Namibia can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute’s renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.

Applications to the first-ever Namibia Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/windhoek.

The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding, and build something that matters.

Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 4,300 Alumni raise over $950M funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Namibia, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:

• A Model to Answer all Startup Growth Questions, with Phil Libin
  2020–07–21, 07:30 PM
• Startup Funding in Namibia: How to Raise Money (Online Event)
  2020–08–05, 06:30 PM
• Founder Hotseat Webinar: Pitch Windhoek Investors & Experts (Online Event)
  2020–08–19, 06:30 PM
• See all upcoming events

The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Windhoek include local startup leaders Keith Handura (Founder and CEO, Pahee Consulting ), Nashilongo Gervasius (Founder & Director , NamTshuwe Digital).

New opportunities are flourishing in Namibia. There’s a growing ecosystem for entrepreneurs — from crowdfunding platforms to co-working spaces. The Founder Institute can increase an aspiring technology entrepreneur’s chance of success by providing the necessary skills and mindset — and a link to the Silicon Valley!

In addition, many of the region’s top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Namibia Virtual 2020 Founder Institute program, including:

• Alisa Amupolo: CEO, Powercom Namibia
• Armin Wieland: CEO, MD and Founder
• Beatrice Schultz: Ambassador, Future Females
• Catherine Shipushu: Creative Director, Azania Communications
• Ernest Beukes: Managing Director, M2M Global Technologies
• Hosea Kambonde: Director, iMarketing Consultants
• Lazarus Jacobs: Director, Paragon Investments
• Nabil Robiati: MD and Co Founder
• Portia Timbo
• Seno Namwandi: Director, IUM
• Thomas Muller: Founder and CEO, Rainmaker Digital
• And many more to be announced.

The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The organization’s mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

Join Founder Institute in Namibia and help build the future.

Apply to the Namibia Virtual 2020 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.