SkilledUp Life × Founder Institute
The world's most proven pre-seed accelerator meets the world's largest community of skilled Volunteers. Through our partnership with the Founder Institute Berlin and South Asia chapters, their founders build whole teams that turn ideas into fundable, global startups.
The world's most proven startup-building network.
Based in Silicon Valley with chapters across more than 100 countries, the Founder Institute turns ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, its structured pre-seed programs have helped over 9,000 entrepreneurs raise more than $2 billion.
Its mission is to empower communities of talented, motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide. That mission sits right alongside our own.
Critical support network
An Equity Collective of mentors and founders invested in each company's success, plus a lifetime of support programs and partners.
Structured methodology
Proven business-building sprints tell founders what to work on and when, backed by the world's largest network of startup mentors.
A challenging process
Fewer than 40% of founders make it through. Those who do are fast-tracked toward funding via the Funding Lab and Virtual Demo Days.
FI founders get a critical edge: build whole teams from 66,000+ SkilledUp Life Volunteers.
The partnership runs both ways. SkilledUp Life is proud to be listed among the Founder Institute startup support partners, helping their portfolio companies stretch their runway and accelerate growth.
In addition, our CEO mentors the Founder Institute "Cofounders and Team" session, helping founders find the right partners and build their first team.
20% off for every cohort member.
Every Founder Institute founder in our partner chapters can claim up to 20% off SkilledUp Life monthly and annual plans for their first year. It is a tangible benefit you extend to your cohort at no cost to you.
- Up to 20% off monthly and annual plans in the first year.
- Cohort founders build whole teams from skilled Volunteers.
- Capital stretches further between funding rounds.
travelsales.ai built a product team in under a month.
travelsales.ai, a Founder Institute Berlin cohort startup building the first AI-powered ground group transportation network, joined SkilledUp Life and, in less than one month of subscribing, already recruited 4 skilled Volunteers to strengthen its product team.
Where we partner with the Founder Institute.
We work with two Founder Institute communities, giving founders in Europe and across South Asia access to the SkilledUp Life Volunteer network.
FI Berlin
The Founder Institute Berlin and Germany chapter helps founders build fundable, global startups through a structured, mentor-led program, with SkilledUp Life among its support partners.
FI South Asia
The Founder Institute South Asia program brings the same proven methodology to founders across the region, spanning multiple country chapters and a fast-growing startup community.
How to put SkilledUp Life to work.
If you are building your company through the Founder Institute, here is how to tap the Volunteer community.
Create a company account
Set up your startup on the SkilledUp Life platform in minutes.
Post your Opportunities
Describe the roles you need across product, marketing, sales, HR and more.
Build your team
Review applications from skilled Volunteers and agree fair, transparent terms.
Accelerate
Ship faster, stretch your runway and arrive at your next round in stronger shape.
Run a Founder Institute chapter?
We would love to extend this partnership to more FI communities. Reach out through Contact Us and our partnerships team will be in touch.