About this role
The Opportunity
We’re launching Founder Institute Tel Aviv in Q1 2027, and we’re looking for the leader who will build it. Tel Aviv already has one of the densest startup ecosystems in the world. FI Tel Aviv will serve the founders it doesn’t: idea-stage and pre-team founders who aren’t yet ready for the city’s accelerators and funds. You’ll take them from idea to funded with FI’s methodology, AI platform, and global network, and feed them into that ecosystem.
This role is for someone already in the trenches. You might be a founder who has built and raised, an ecosystem builder whose events people actually show up to, or an organizer who knows how to fill a room with the right people. You don’t need to be all of these. You’ll recruit 2–3 co-leaders to cover what you don’t.
About the Founder Institute
The Founder Institute is an AI-native company builder. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, we operate across 200+ cities in 100+ countries. We have helped launch 9,000+ portfolio companies valued at $20B+, and built a network of 40,000+ mentors and investors. Founders get startup-trained AI agents, personalized weekly sprints, and access to early investment at global scale. We don’t polish pitches. We help build companies with unicorn potential.
About the Role
As Managing Director, you’ll own the Tel Aviv chapter end to end. That includes assembling the leadership team, recruiting founders, running the program, and connecting your cohort to mentors and investors. FI HQ provides training, playbooks, the FounderGen platform, co-marketing, and ongoing operational support. Selected leaders will be trained in Q4 2026. Expect a heavier lift during launch while you build your team and recruit your first cohort, settling to 6–8 hours per week once the chapter is running.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead a local team of 2–3 co-leaders whose skills complement yours (operations, investing, partnerships)
- Recruit aspiring founders through local events and community outreach
- Run program sessions and keep the chapter on schedule
- Recruit mentors, investors, and partners from Tel Aviv’s ecosystem
- Mentor and advise founders in the cohort, and connect them to capital
- Represent Founder Institute as its face in Tel Aviv
Requirements
-
Required:
-
Based in Tel Aviv, with an active presence in the local startup ecosystem
-
At least one of the following:
-
Founder: you’ve launched a startup and raised capital, ideally with an exit.
-
Ecosystem builder: you have a visible network of founders, mentors, and investors.
-
Event organizer: you have a track record of running startup events people attend.
-
Hands-on company-building experience. Advising, teaching, or selling services alone isn’t enough.
-
Ability to recruit senior co-leaders from your network
-
6–8 hours per week once the chapter is running, with more during launch
-
Comfortable using AI tools in daily work
-
Preferred:
-
Leadership or organizing role in a startup community, accelerator, or startup event organization
-
Angel investing or venture experience
-
Offering
-
Equity + commission compensation: a share of program revenue from your chapter (typically $5k–$50k+ per semester, depending on enrollment, sponsorships, and partner programs, shared among co-leaders), plus equity in the companies you help build through FI’s Equity Collective, like an early angel investor
-
Assistance in starting your own VC fund through our sister organization, VC Lab
-
Training and onboarding through Accelerator Lab, plus FI’s playbooks and the FounderGen AI platform
-
Access to FI’s global network of 40,000+ mentors and investors across 100+ countries
-
Ongoing operational and marketing support from FI HQ
-
Structured, high-quality dealflow and a front-row seat to Tel Aviv’s next generation of founders
-
Read more: https://fi.co/lead