The Founder Institute Goes International - Now on Pace to Graduate over 500 Companies Worldwide

Institute Launches New Spring Semesters in Singapore and Paris, as well as Los Angeles and Denver

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- January 21st, 2010 - The Founder Institute (www.FounderInstitute.com), a four month training and mentoring program for technology entrepreneurs, is launching new Spring 2010 semesters in Singapore, Paris, Los Angeles and Denver. With the addition of these four new locations, the Institute will now operate in nine cities worldwide, putting it on pace to graduate over 700 founders creating over 500 companies per year. Applications for early acceptance into the four new semesters start today and are due on February 15th, 2010, with the final application deadline on February 28th. Anyone starting a technology company or with a dream to launch an innovative business is invited to apply at www.FounderInstitute.com. 

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"We have discovered a formula to help passionate founders create meaningful and enduring companies in different markets around the world," says Adeo Ressi, CEO of TheFunded.com and the Founder Institute. "We leverage leading social science methods to identify top talent, and then we offer an intense startup curriculum focused on teamwork and guidance from leading local and global CEOs. Our unique approach has allowed the Institute to scale almost ten times larger than comparable incubators or accelerators."

The Founder Institute creates a unique, team-work oriented ecosystem in markets worldwide where equity is shared amongst all participants in the companies formed. Program participants also learn from top Founder and CEO Mentors, and receive discounted services from over 35 Institute Partners. Confirmed mentors for the Spring 2010 semesters include: 

• Nolan Bushnell, Founder of Atari, Chuck E. Cheese, and uWink;
• Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3tunes and Gizmo5, former CEO of MP3.com;
• Aaron Patzer, Founder and CEO of Mint.com;
• Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote;
• Philip Kaplan, Co-Founder of Blippy, Founder of Adbrite and F'd Company;
• Ross Levinsohn, Founder of Fuse Capital and former President of Fox Interactive;
• Bryan Thatcher, CEO of LockerBlogger, Empressr, and Fusebox;
• and Mathieu Nouzareth, Founder of Cafe.com and serial web entrepreneur.

"The Founder Institute mines diamonds, whereas comparable programs make jewelry,” adds Ressi. “We see ourselves as complementary to local programs and entrepreneurial support groups."

The Spring 2010 Singapore Semester, the first Western incubator in Singapore, will be led by Jeffrey Paine, Managing Partner at Battle Ventures. The Paris semester will be led by Alain Raynaud, Founder and CEO of FairSoftware, and Alain Baritault, Editor in Chief and Analyst at Collectiv-IT; the Los Angeles Semester by Ken Rutkowski, Owner of KenRadio Broadcasting; and the Denver Semester by Dave Ladouceur, CEO of Greenfly America. 

Anyone starting a technology company is invited to apply at the following links:

• Singapore - http://www.founderinstitute.com/apply/11
• Paris - http://www.founderinstitute.com/apply/10
• Los Angeles - http://www.founderinstitute.com/apply/8
• Denver - http://www.founderinstitute.com/apply/9

The deadline for early admissions is February 15th, with all applications due by February 28th, 2010. 

For more information go to www.FounderInstitute.com. 

About The Founder Institute

The Founder Institute (www.FounderInstitute.com) is a four month training program for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs. Through weekly sessions guided by renowned CEOs, the Founder Institute breeds disciplined founders ready to lead the next generation of high-tech companies. Program participants also enjoy discounted services from Institute Partners, fundraising opportunities at fair market value, and a teamwork-oriented startup environment where equity is shared among all participants in the companies formed. Currently operating in nine cities worldwide, the Founder Institute is on pace to launch over 500 companies per year. 

SOURCE The Founder Institute