What We Look for in an FRI Founder
Our admissions philosophy is simple: we don't care about your degree. We care about your drive, your idea, and your readiness to build.
FRI Admissions
Admissions Office, FRI
Founders, Not Students
Every year we receive thousands of applications from talented people across the globe. Many of them have strong academic backgrounds, impressive corporate careers, and polished pitches.
But what we're really looking for is something harder to fake: genuine hunger to build.
The Three Things We Actually Care About
1. A real problem you want to solve. We don't need a finished business plan. We need you to have identified something in the world that doesn't work and that you are compelled to fix.
2. Coachability. The founders who get the most out of FRI are the ones who are willing to be challenged, who update their views based on evidence, and who treat their mentor's time as sacred.
3. Commitment. Six months. Full programme. No half measures. We ask a lot — and we give a lot in return.
Apply for Cohort II
Applications for our September 2025 cohort are now open. 40 places. Rigorous selection. The process starts on our admissions page.