Apply to FI Campinas Spring 2026 if you’re at idea stage or early validation and want a structured, mentor-driven cadence to turn your concept into a fundable, investor-ready startup.
TL;DR
This article provides a short overview of how FI Campinas works and how to apply on XRaise.
- Who it’s for: pre-seed founders with an idea, MVP-in-progress, or early validation signals
- Best fit: sector-agnostic tech startups in Campinas/São Paulo or building remotely
- Ideal timing: Apply to FI Campinas accelerator before the Feb 15, 2026 deadline (or next cohort if dates shift)
- Key benefits: weekly sprints, mentor feedback, and post-program support paths
When Should You Apply to FI Campinas Accelerator?
Timing matters because FI is built around momentum. FI Campinas is a Virtual First cohort based in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, with required sessions online and a published program window from March 2, 2026 to June 2, 2026, plus an onboarding session on February 23, 2026 at 06:00pm -03.
Related Posts
That means you should apply when you can realistically sustain a weekly execution loop. In FI’s own framing, the program is challenging, with less than 40% of founders completing it.
Apply to FI Campinas: readiness checklist
Apply to FI Campinas when you can answer “yes” to most of these:
- You can protect time for consistent weekly work (FI notes growth sprints average ~20 hours per week).
- You’re ready for weekly ratings and feedback from mentors/peers, not just “learning content.”
- You’re willing to be pushed into customer development, revenue models, and pitch progress quickly (FI’s weekly focus includes sessions like Customer Development, Revenue & Business Models, Pitch Mastery, and Funding).
- You want a cohort cadence that forces shipping and iteration.
If you’re still in pure exploration (no problem clarity, no customer conversations, no willingness to commit), you’ll get more value by running a short discovery sprint first, then applying when you can extract the program’s cadence.
How to Choose the Right Accelerator
Before you apply, evaluate fit on four axes: stage, time intensity, economic terms, and downstream support.
- Stage fit (idea → early traction). FI positions its flagship program as pre-seed and built around structured sprints with constant feedback.
- Time intensity (operator reality). FI is explicit that founders must keep up with weekly growth sprints and that the pace is designed to be hard.
- Economic terms (cash + equity). For FI Campinas, the published entrance fee is $499.
FI also uses an “Equity Collective” model with a 2.5% contribution via a warrant (details are described in its public equity documentation and FAQ).
Direct cash investment for this cohort is Not publicly disclosed; the program emphasizes execution, feedback, and alumni pathways rather than a published check size. - Downstream support. In addition to the core program, FI describes post-program paths like Founder Lab and an investor-facing venture network for alumni.
If you want a lighter-touch mentor network with fewer weekly deliverables, FI may feel intense. However, if you want a system that forces execution, the intensity is the feature.
How to Apply to FI Campinas Accelerator
Most founders lose time by bouncing between forms, info sessions, and conflicting instructions. Your goal is simpler: submit once, then use the remaining time to sharpen proof.
Apply to FI Campinas on XRaise (step-by-step)
- Create your XRaise founder account.
- Open the FI Campinas accelerator profile on XRaise.
- Click Apply Now and submit on XRaise.
- After you submit, save a “proof pack” folder (deck, traction notes, interview notes, product screenshots) so you can respond quickly if the program requests follow-ups.
This flow keeps XRaise as your source of truth for applications, status tracking, and next steps. In addition, you can browse the XRaise Accelerator Directory to compare similar programs before you commit.
Apply to FI Campinas accelerator: what to prepare before you submit
To Apply to FI Campinas accelerator effectively, bring evidence and specificity:
- Problem clarity: who suffers, how often, what it costs.
- Customer discovery notes: even 10 conversations beat polished slides.
- A simple MVP narrative: what you built, what you learned, what you’ll test next.
- Business model hypothesis: a starting point for Revenue & Business Models week.
If you’re unsure whether you’re “ready,” use this as the deciding factor: can you commit to weekly growth sprints and feedback without falling behind?
Benefits of Applying to FI Campinas Accelerator
FI Campinas is not a “watch videos and feel inspired” program. Instead, it’s structured to create momentum through repeated cycles of work → review → iteration.
1) Structured, sequential execution
FI emphasizes a highly structured process with clear growth sprints and weekly deliverables.
For founders, that structure reduces decision fatigue: you always know what the next week’s output should be.
2) Mentor feedback that forces sharper decisions
The program describes weekly feedback sessions, office hours, and, on the core program page, 14 weekly feedback sessions and office hours as part of the cadence.
In practice, this means your pitch, assumptions, and weekly progress are repeatedly pressure-tested.
3) Long-term network and follow-on pathways
FI positions the program as a gateway into an alumni network and continued support.
It also highlights access to partner discounts totaling $2.5M+ in value for alumni (per its core program materials).
FI also points to its scale: since 2009, it says its programs have helped over 8,900 entrepreneurs raise over $2B in funding, with chapters across 100 countries focused on building impactful technology companies.
4) Proof that the model can produce outliers
FI’s global portfolio page highlights companies across sectors and regions. Examples include Udemy (public company), Esusu (fintech), Lily AI (AI for eCommerce), Peerby (sharing economy), and SleepUp (Brazil-based health startup).
Top Accelerators to Consider
A smart application strategy is comparative, not emotional. Even if your default is to Apply to FI Campinas, shortlist alternatives so you can choose the best execution environment.
- Apply to Founder Institute Adelaide Accelerator | From idea to traction for another FI Virtual First cohort guide and expectations.
- Apply to FI Core Accelerator: Silicon Valley | Startup Program Overview (2025–2026) for how FI describes the core program and alumni outcomes.
- Apply to Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator | Get $200K for 7.5% Equity in a 6-Month Program if you’re comparing a classic equity-based accelerator with a different cadence.
If you want to broaden further, use the full accelerator directory on XRaise to filter by stage, geography, and time commitment.
Challenges of Applying to FI Campinas Accelerator
Every high-accountability program has trade-offs. You’ll get the most value from FI by going in with eyes open.
1) Intensity and time load
FI states the growth sprints average ~20 hours per week, and founders are rated weekly on progress and strategy.
If you can’t protect that time, you’ll feel constant drag.
2) Low completion rate is real
On the FI Campinas cohort page, FI notes that less than 40% make it through.
Therefore, you should treat this like a commitment, similar to shipping a product, not joining a community.
3) Economic terms you must understand
The entrance fee is published as $499 for this cohort.
In addition, FI’s Equity Collective model involves a 2.5% contribution via a warrant, with details and timing explained publicly.
4) “Virtual First” still needs real coordination
Required sessions are online, which lowers geography friction, but it does not lower execution friction. Remote cohorts still demand calendar discipline, reliable communication, and consistent delivery.
Startup Perks AI Assistant
Have questions about credits? Let's chat instantly.
Why Apply to FI Campinas Accelerator in 2025–2026
Accelerators matter most when capital is selective and execution quality is the differentiator. In 2025–2026, investors still reward clear traction signals and disciplined teams, not just labeling. As a result, a structured cadence can be an advantage.
If your startup touches AI, use XRaise’s market context to pressure-test your fundraising narrative before you apply: AI Startup Investment 2025 – Funding Boom and AI Investment Bubble 2025 – XRaise Analysis can help you separate durable demand from hype cycles.
In addition, re-check your timing using When You Should Apply to an Accelerator so you don’t apply too early (no proof) or too late (no learning left).
Conclusion & Recommendations
Apply to FI Campinas if you want a program that forces weekly output, mentor-driven feedback, and a structured sequence designed to move founders from idea stage toward traction.
Your best next steps:
If you’re ready to move, Apply to FI Campinas accelerator through XRaise so your application and follow-ups stay centralized.
- Create your XRaise founder account.
- Go to Apply to FI Campinas on XRaise and submit your application.
- Compare alternatives in the XRaise Accelerator Directory so your decision is grounded in fit.
Finally, if you want extra program information directly from the accelerator, visit the official FI Campinas website after you’ve applied on XRaise.
