Return-Path: Delivered-To: alvarochf@traceseis.com Received: from cs510.bluehost.com by cs510.bluehost.com with LMTP id QNZ5BpJeVWnn8gMAWiBQxw (envelope-from ) for ; Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:34:10 -0700 Return-path: Envelope-to: alvarochf@traceseis.com Delivery-date: Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:34:10 -0700 Received: from o1.email.founderinstitute.com ([208.117.53.162]:39810) by cs510.bluehost.com with esmtps (TLS1.3) tls TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256 (Exim 4.98.2) (envelope-from ) id 1vb05J-000000015fp-455V for alvarochf@traceseis.com; Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:34:10 -0700 DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=founderinstitute.com; h=date:from:subject:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding: to:cc:content-type:date:from:subject:to; s=s1; bh=7tCKJ75V5jzi3Dq+gnB2T0X4JrFTjsl57O0tF9ko3kk=; b=KPrjSs2O0TEP+9o2bI73XcL23YC1aiv3pdPSV1joeh4fLDvBd9a+UK0E86j92e8vBlKy WzwRB5TXW/A3i8wXz6E9nu5q3K0W93H+nSsW4FvIOMmar8e9nIuAymFg+p8G+ZZdxR23k9 /QdWyJbEhgJmOQsUM3ypSPX0EjyAIfas3lpniysolvCfZBnSIntJjWG9E80KZLo42eQZ3B ZuB+PCdEdRbmLR1/FwN/6/RmJbVsga4WAYi6bUdRF4saMW6YNuUOnkfvq13If5Ulve9USH z0bF7INk5shnos0YwPYyQDq2HcYRReOtNVMF5f3EKixPWbvkXEMU8oDKdzBBPYbw== Received: by recvd-canary-7d48bc9f5c-vxnx2 with SMTP id recvd-canary-7d48bc9f5c-vxnx2-1-69555E87-5 2025-12-31 17:33:59.039886619 +0000 UTC m=+1193273.380827570 Received: from founderinstitute.com (unknown) by geopod-ismtpd-48 (SG) with ESMTP id f4zzjrpQQbSzcbQfvL6fuw for ; Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:33:58.983 +0000 (UTC) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:33:59 +0000 (UTC) From: Megan Todd Message-ID: <69555e86c5a4f_7db04407c02593a6@ip-10-0-1-216.mail> Subject: Our Progress towards Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="--==_mimepart_69555e86c4665_7db04407c025923"; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit can-repeat: role-id: 4108883 X-SG-EID: =?us-ascii?Q?u001=2E5po38EEVb979+YLjE0opYwKmW8X=2FNAGreI0a7mLBf2K+CoLroofP8Ypd7?= =?us-ascii?Q?oL0OT2FoOmyERLx5oGaM0R4=2F3vh8Up1l5FeOsI9?= =?us-ascii?Q?V6BcfXrZUkbZ64RFh0T0Xnmr=2Fcc4tPmMOMjPOg+?= =?us-ascii?Q?k9hI3aTakCvvcaLXtGbAlzJxvMp=2F5U7ChTt1VVX?= =?us-ascii?Q?VJS4SX7Q8EhsZdjZ+ASpGITL6EXMq5DFbl3FmMX?= =?us-ascii?Q?i5jey4LqfCP+E2ImyJ5YTrd+4zLZzuVNI5jbn13?= =?us-ascii?Q?9aBY?= X-SG-ID: =?us-ascii?Q?u001=2ESdBcvi+Evd=2FbQef8eZF3BpTL9BgbK5wfSJMJGMsmprAS7UBezBaDEFAJX?= =?us-ascii?Q?X3p1UW+9GcDpmc1mWE9BjEceVFBpevFOdrCczI+?= =?us-ascii?Q?qaJaNB29ifYKO2eYtc0ZV846PBILNlIvt=2F2s=2FB2?= =?us-ascii?Q?yqaOhnoLZlCFBMAguLCBJzCiAqxdpZKyqGzk=3D?= To: alvarochf@traceseis.com X-Entity-ID: u001.k787iEHak85aXEbdq+EP3g== ----==_mimepart_69555e86c4665_7db04407c025923 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Alvaro,=20 On behalf of everyone at Founder Institute, we'd like to wish you a Hap= py New Year! As we embark on 2026, we are very optimistic about the startup and funding = ecosystems, and continue to push forward on our mission to activate entrepr= eneurial potential in communities across the globe. In 2025 the collective FI Network took several important steps towards this= mission: * Hosted 991 free startup events and workshops, providing 45,000+ attendees= with critical training and connections to help them start a business * Graduated 623 new portfolio companies across 61 countries, from a pool of= over 13,000 applicants worldwide=20 * Launched <a href=3D"http://foundercapital.vc">Founder Cap= ital</a>, FI's first global VC Fund, to make investments where fo= unders need it the most - at the "first check" * Added 6624 new Mentors to the FI Mentor Network - the world's largest= at over 40,000 strong * Added 600+ investors to the <a href=3D"http://fi.co/investors&quo= t;>FI Venture Network</a> - our global collection of active, "= ;first-check" investors * Launched new <a href=3D"http://fi.co/bootcamps">Founder B= ootcamps</a> to help more aspiring entrepreneurs, and provide additio= nal free learning opportunities to FI Alumni=20 Most importantly, *our Alumni reached many important milestones in 2025 - i= ncluding several exits and $200M in new funding*. There is way too much new= s to share, but we have included a quick list of highlights at the bottom o= f this email.=20 *To inspire and empower you to join the FI Network and launch a fundable bu= siness, we are offering Founders who have been accepted into the Houston Sp= ring 2026 Core Program a 25% discount on the Entrance Fee.*=20 *To access the discount, <a href=3D"https://fi.co/join/?code=3D9vSK= QvPCGF&dd=3DHoliday2516g1">use this link to complete your appli= cation or enrollment</a>.* This discount is only valid if you are acc= epted to the program, and it will expire on Friday, January 9th at 11:59PM = PT.=20 The FI Network took some important steps in 2025, but there is much more wo= rk to be done to achieve our ultimate goal: "To create a better world = through entrepreneurship by empowering 30MM people by 2040 to build and sup= port ventures with a positive impact." Have a great start to 2026, and we hope to see you at an FI event soon. =20 Sincerely,=20 Founder Institute Houston=20 /// *2025 FI ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS* * Esusu (FI San Francisco) <a href=3D"https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/= 11/esusu-funding-renters-credit-scores.html">announces a $50M Serie= s C investment (and $1.2 billion valuation)</a> to help renters build= credit * Orange Charger (FI Silicon Valley) <a href=3D"https://www.prnewsw= ire.com/news-releases/southwire-and-orange-charger-announce-strategic-partn= ership-302631821.html">secures a strategic investment from Southwir= e</a>, North America's leading wire and cable company. * Jeeva (FI San Diego) <a href=3D"https://www.businessinsider.com/m= arc-benioff-jack-altman-invested-sales-tech-startup-pitch-deck-2025-12#-10&= quot;>announces a new $9M funding round</a> including Marc Benioff= , Jack Altman, and Sapphire Ventures =20 * Skyfarer Academy (FI New York) <a href=3D"https://afm.aero/instru= ctair-and-skyfarer-academy-finalize-acquisition-uniting-two-aviation-traini= ng-innovators/">acquired InstructAir to further consolidate the avi= ation training market</a>=20 * GreenAnt (FI Amsterdam) <a href=3D"https://www.repubblica.it/econ= omia/rapporti/osserva-italia/le-storie/2025/10/23/news/agrotecnologia_soste= nibile_nella_terza_edizione_di_foodseed_annunciate_7_nuove_startup_selezion= ate-424932835/">secures a $170K investment</a> and is accepte= d to the prestigious FoodSeed accelerator * FoodCare (FI Angola) <a href=3D"https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/3= 1/business/foodcare-angola-cassava-caterpillars-spc">is featured on= CNN</a>, and <a href=3D"https://www.africaprivateequitynews.= com/p/bfa-asset-management-in-angola-food">secures funding from BFA= Asset Management</a>=20 * myTM's (FI Lahore) <a href=3D"https://www.techjuice.pk/barq-s= audi-fintech-gets-sbp-approval-to-launch-emi-in-pakistan/">Saudi, P= akistani, and UAE subsidiaries were acquired by Barq</a>, the leading= Saudi Arabia fintech company * WealthHawk (FI San Diego) <a href=3D"https://pulse2.com/praxis-so= lutions-buys-lead-generation-platform-wealthawk/">was acquired by P= raxis Solutions</a> to integrate its AI technology into a wide variet= y of financial products * Mappa (FI Sao Paulo) <a href=3D"https://refreshmiami.com/news/map= pa-raises-3-4m-to-reimagine-hiring-through-ai-powered-behavioral-intelligen= ce/">raises $3.4M from top investors (including Tim Draper) to reim= agine hiring through AI-powered behavioral intelligence</a>=20 * MeetGeek (FI Bucharest) <a href=3D"https://therecursive.com/meetg= eek-raises-1-6m-ai-meeting-assistant/">Raises =E2=82=AC1.6M to Tran= sform Meetings with Agentic AI</a>=20 * SleepUp (FI Sao Paulo) <a href=3D"https://revistapegn.globo.com/s= tartups/noticia/2025/07/sleepup-capta-r-7-milhoes-para-transformar-diagnost= ico-do-sono-com-ia-e-dispositivos-vestiveis.ghtml">Raises $1.4M to = Transform Sleep Diagnosis with AI and Wearable Devices</a>=20 * OCN (FI Monterrey) <a href=3D"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti= cles/2025-07-21/fintech-ocn-to-invest-150-million-for-expansion-in-mexico-a= fter-series-b-round">Raises Series B Funding, and looks to invest a= nother $150M in expansion</a> * ADA Biotech (FI Malaysia) <a href=3D"https://thesun.my/business/a= da-biotech-strengthens-production-capacity-supply-chain-partnerships-to-sup= port-growth-he14892234/">experiences vast growth across Asia for it= s biodedgradable products</a>, including partnerships with Hilton, Ri= tz-Carlton, Hard Rock and ZUS Coffee. * yappyBuy (FI Munich) <a href=3D"https://www.pressebox.de/inaktiv/= cerpos-gmbh/cerpos-gmbh-stellt-ki-basierten-erp-buddy-vor-entwickelt-von-ya= ppybuy-in-zusammenarbeit-mit-ibm/boxid/1252629">announces new strat= egic partnership with IBM</a> to develop a more powerful ERP Solution * Endiatx (FI Silicon Valley) <a href=3D"https://www.mpo-mag.com/br= eaking-news/endiatx-attracts-funding-to-advance-its-capsule-robotic-tech/&q= uot;>Raises a Series A Round to Advance its Capsule Robotic Tech</a&g= t;=20 * CurveBlock (FI London) <a href=3D"https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/= funding/uk-start-up-curveblock-secures-major-grant-from-kadena-to-revolutio= nise-real-estate-investment-through-blockchain/">Secures Major Gran= t from Kadena to Revolutionise Real Estate Investment Through Blockchain<= ;/a>=20 * Fairly AI (FI Waterloo) <a href=3D"https://communitech.ca/technew= s/kitchener-based-fairly-ai-acquires-swedish-startup-anch.ai-to-help-compan= ies-build-regulation-ready-ai.html">acquires Swedish startup Anch.A= I to help companies build regulation-ready AI</a>=20 * Climber (FI Lisbon), a leading revenue management software company for th= e hospitality industry, <a href=3D"https://financialpost.com/pmn/bu= siness-wire-news-releases-pmn/revenue-analytics-acquires-climber-to-expand-= global-hospitality-footprint-and-strengthen-european-latin-american-presenc= e"> is acquired by Revenue Analytics</a>=20 * Tespire (FI Abuja) <a href=3D"https://disruptafrica.com/2025/05/2= 9/nigerian-startup-tespire-secures-funding-to-advance-health-focused-resear= ch-project/">secured a round of funding from Alternative Bank to sc= ale its education research</a> * Bluana Foods (FI Eastern Europe) was <a href=3D"https://www.corri= ere.it/economia/start-up/25_aprile_08/stent-chirurgici-sushi-vegetale-e-dia= gnostica-istantanea-le-startup-del-berkeley-skydeck-europe-in-cerca-di-inve= stitori-ee43e307-1c4e-4dbd-836f-9c323e158xlk.shtml">accepted to the= prestigious Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator</a> * BreachBits (FI Washington DC) <a href=3D"https://www.intelligentc= iso.com/2025/04/10/lloyds-backs-cyber-hacking-innovator-breachbits-followin= g-successful-lab-collaboration/">announces strategic investment fro= m Lloyd's Bank</a> * Sakura (FI Nordics) <a href=3D"https://arcticstartup.com/sakura-r= aises-pre-seed-funding/">raises funding to scale B2B mental health = solutions</a> * Expedier (FI Toronto) < a href=3D"https://www.leadsontrees.com/ne= ws/expedier-secures-1m-in-pre-seed-funding-to-launch-the-ultimate-super-app= -for-transactions-and-credit-building">announces $1M in funding to = democratize financial access in developing markets</a> * BRU AG (FI Zurich) <a href=3D"https://www.ramuscompany.com/bru/&q= uot;>secures a strategic investment from H=C3=A4u=C3=9Fler & Sauter = (HST)</a>, a multinational tea company * SquarePeg (FI New York) <a href=3D"https://aimgroup.com/2025/02/0= 4/squarepeg-raises-3-5m-seed-funding-for-candidate-screening-tool/ "&g= t;Announces $3.5MM funding for next generation job candidate screening tool= </a> * Palki (FI South Asia) <a href=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/= climate/2025/01/14/zayed-sustainability-prize/">wins the $1MM Zayed= Sustainability Prize</a> for its sustainable electric vehicles=20 * Arbol (FI Waterloo Toronto) <a href=3D"https://www.bizjournals.co= m/buffalo/inno/stories/news/2025/01/07/arbol-western-new-york-impact-invest= ment-fund.html">raises funding to simplify financial management for= universities</a> -- REF: 9vSKQvPCGF ----==_mimepart_69555e86c4665_7db04407c025923 Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Alvaro,

On behalf of everyone at Founder Institute, we=E2=80=99d like to wish yo= u a Happy New Year!

As we embark on 2026, we are very optimistic about the startup and fundi= ng ecosystems, and continue to push forward on our mission to activate entr= epreneurial potential in communities across the globe.

In 2025 the collective FI Network took several important steps towards t= his mission:

  • Hosted 991 free startup events and workshops, providing 45,000+ attend= ees with critical training and connections to help them start a business
  • Graduated 623 new portfolio companies across 61 countries, from a pool= of over 13,000 applicants worldwide
  • Launched Founder Capital, FI=E2= =80=99s first global VC Fund, to make investments where founders need it th= e most =E2=80=93 at the =E2=80=9Cfirst check=E2=80=9D
  • Added 6624 new Mentors to the FI Mentor Network =E2=80=93 the world=E2= =80=99s largest at over 40,000 strong
  • Added 600+ investors to the FI Venture = Network =E2=80=93 our global collection of active, =E2=80=9Cfirst-check= =E2=80=9D investors
  • Launched new Founder Bootcamps to h= elp more aspiring entrepreneurs, and provide additional free learning oppor= tunities to FI Alumni

Most importantly, our Alumni reached many important milestones i= n 2025 =E2=80=93 including several exits and $200M in new funding.= There is way too much news to share, but we have included a quick list of = highlights at the bottom of this email.

To inspire and empower you to join the FI Network and launch a f= undable business, we are offering Founders who have been accepted into the = Houston Spring 2026 Core Program a 25% discount on the Entrance Fee.

To access the discount, use this link to complete your application= or enrollment. This discount is only valid if you are accepte= d to the program, and it will expire on Friday, January 9th at 11:59PM PT.<= /p>

The FI Network took some important steps in 2025, but there is much more= work to be done to achieve our ultimate goal: =E2=80=9CTo create a better = world through entrepreneurship by empowering 30MM people by 2040 to build a= nd support ventures with a positive impact.=E2=80=9D

Have a great start to 2026, and we hope to see you at an FI event soon.<= /p>

Sincerely,

Founder Institute Houston

///

2025 FI ALUMNI = HIGHLIGHTS

--

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