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Rethink what's possible: the world needs more entrepreneurs to lead the way in creating a better future, for everyone.

Whether you have already launched a startup or are still in the idea-phase, now is the time to act. As the globe moves incrementally toward the eventual post-pandemic future, today it remains filled with reshuffled industries and new problems in need of solutions. As we continue into 2022 and beyond, each and every entrepreneur has the opportunity to play a part in helping shape that better future.

That's why we are excited to announce applications are now open for the Philadelphia Virtual 2022 program.

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Philadelphia's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Philadelphia Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today.

We will be hosting several free startup online events in Philadelphia over the coming weeks, where you can learn virtually from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:

Philadelphia Events:

  • NJX VENTURE SUMMIT : 8:00am, Jul 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/376036

Global or Regional Events:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372338
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 1:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373387
  • Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 1:00pm, Jul 14, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374484
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 1:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373515
  • Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 1:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373647
  • Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 1:00pm, Jul 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375991
  • Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 1:00pm, Jul 28, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/376146
  • [NEW DATE] Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 1:00pm, Aug 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375357
  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374638
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374842
  • Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375494
  • How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 1:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373883

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute is designed to help you build an enduring business that can survive and thrive in the “new normal.” We do this by giving you a clear process combined with constant feedback from a devoted network of international entrepreneurs and investors. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading free post-programs.

The Philadelphia accelerator is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Bill Rivkin (Business Banking Virtual Relationship Manager VP, Citizens), Daria Duda (Marketing Advisor, Self), Don Samoil (Chapter Leader, FI Keystone), Philly Admin (A, A). In addition, some of Philadelphia's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating as mentors in the program, providing expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Philadelphia Founder Institute includes:

  • Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
  • Adam House
  • Albert Whale: Founder & CEO, IT Security Solutions
  • Alfred Poor: Keynote speaker and virtual event expert, The Health Tech Futurist
  • Anshuman Gwal: Managing Partner, Brightside Partners
  • Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
  • Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, MSEL, PCC, CPQC®, CELC: Founder & Owner, Purpose-Filled Solutions & Evolutions
  • Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
  • Ben Williams
  • Bhaskar Ahuja: CEO, Sand Hill Road Technologies Fund
  • Bill Rivkin: Virtual Relationship Manager |non-dilutive funding, Citizens Bank
  • Bill Goodwin
  • Bo Motlagh: Co-Founder, Managing Partner, UE Venture Studios
  • Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
  • Bonnie Ravina: Startup Advisor, Connector, Market Readiness , Full Circle: 360 Marketing
  • Brad Messer: ., .
  • Brian Slough
  • Carl Starkey: Co-Founder & CEO, AWSM Sauce Co
  • Chris Morris
  • Chris Couchoud
  • Christian Behl: International Business Development, Cognition IP
  • Chuck Sacco
  • Daniel Nelson: Recovering Accountant, Startup Economics
  • Daniel Ritterman: CEO & Founder, MainLineDelivery (acquired by Square)
  • Daria Duda: Product Marketing Strategy Consultant, OutsideIN
  • David Lasus: CEO, Heart + Paw
  • David Stengle: CEO & Founder , Board++
  • David Postolski: Partner, Gearhart Law
  • Debjit Saha: Co-Founder, HomeAbroad Inc.
  • Deep Parmar: Founding Partner, Caramel Advisors LLC
  • Deka Dike: Founder & CEO, Omatochi
  • Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
  • Don Pancoe: Chief Blinker, Blinkenlights Technologies
  • Drew Chapin: Partner, The Discoverability Company
  • Dustin Betz: Director of Operations, White Rose Ventures
  • Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
  • Elizabeth Planet
  • Ellen Weber: Executive Director, Robin Hood Ventures
  • Eric Torigian: CEO and Managing Director, Advisory Services, CHRO Solutions
  • Flyn Penoyer
  • Francisco Marinaro: Ceo & Chariman, Afront Digiatl LTD
  • Frank Jacquette
  • Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-founder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
  • Garry Johnson
  • Gary Cohen: Owner, Practical Agility LLC
  • Geoffrey Kent: Founder and CEO, I left corporate America 24 years ago, and launched my current venture (Think Big with Geoffrey Kent) 4 years ago.
  • Greg Mester: President, Idea Communication Networks, Inc.
  • Heather Lawver: Founder & CEO, Ceemo
  • Helen De La Rosa: FI Mentor, Founders Institute
  • Holly La Porte
  • Isabelle Kent
  • Isaiah Jenkins
  • Jacob Barhak: Sole Proprietor, Software Developer, and Computational Disease Modeler, Jacob Barhak Analytics
  • Jay Aigner
  • Jedidiah Weller: CEO, OpenForge
  • Jennifer Marion
  • Joan Popolo
  • Joel Ginsparg: Managing Partner, Firelight Partners, LLC
  • John De Marco
  • John Weathers: Business Development & Research Consultant | Board Member | Co-Founder & Director, Vizmoo.com | BenchK12.com | The Cultural Bridge Project
  • John Gies: Business Growth Strategist, RAS - Squared
  • John Gamba
  • John Steele
  • Jon Zaikowski: Assistant Director, New York Angels
  • Jon Wonnell: CEO, Transformative Sciences LLC
  • June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
  • Justin Bean
  • Karen Robinson: Pitch Deck & Data Room Advisor, Karen Robinson Consulting
  • Karina Sotnik: Founder/CEO, WorldUpstart
  • Kostas Karolemeas: Founder, CEO, Allcancode
  • Leon Degtar, Degtar Consulting
  • Mac Goswami: Senior Technical Program Manager, Fiserv Inc
  • Mara Schwartz
  • Mario Casabona: Angel Investor, Casabona Ventures
  • Mark Mc Anallen
  • Mark Crouse, Cohesion Crafted
  • Martina Truche: Healthcare Innovator , Space Medicine Enthusiast
  • Matiullah Rahmaty: Founder/President , BrightPoint Consulting Services
  • Matt Salerno
  • Max Thalheimer: Co-Founder & CEO, Fynd
  • Melissa Li: Managing Partner and Head of Community, Dorm Room Fund
  • Mellie Chow: Venture Partner, Archangel Axion
  • Mellie Chow: Venture Partner, Axion Fund
  • Michael Bertoni: Founder and CEO, SaaS Talent
  • Michael Spidaliere: Principal, First Time Founder Capital
  • Michael Cirino
  • Michael Kainatsky
  • Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
  • Mo Zerban
  • Mohammed Kashif: Senior Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA: Senior Director of Product and Business Development, Allarta Life Science
  • Nadine Campbell: Founder, ACE Entrepreneurs
  • Nareg Soghomonian
  • Nate Hecker: CEO, Big Idea, Inc.
  • Nathan Mancine: FI Mentor, LeanTaaS
  • Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
  • Orly Zeewy: Brand Strategist, Zeewy Brands
  • Owen Occhetti: Consultant, Avant Technology Group
  • Ozan Sonmez: Co-Founder, Brutally Honest Group
  • Pam Knox: CEO/Chief Strategist, Pam Knox LLC
  • Patrick Thompson: Founder, Bootstrap First Incubator
  • Paul Mosenson: Owner, NuSpark Consulting and NuSpark Media
  • Pete Biggam: Director / Mentor / Advisor, Founder Institute
  • Peter Yeargin: Founder & CEO, Sage SEO
  • Peter Chmiel: Owner, Cutting Edge Consulting
  • Raghu Rao: CEO, Splitbyte Inc
  • Raj Sahu: Founder and CEO at , Utobo Inc
  • Rajat Kapur
  • Rajiv Madhok: Founder, Oorja
  • Rajprasath Subramanian: Principal Enterprise architect and Start-up Advisor, SAP
  • Randy Fisher: CEO, Expand to New Markets
  • Raoul Davis: CEO, Ascendant Group
  • Rich Heckelmann: Marketing Specialist , Forward Vision Consulting
  • Richard Ward, MYXFUND
  • Robert Edelstein: Advisor / Owner , Inflection Point
  • Robert Stinsa
  • Ronda Siegel: Partner, RSiegel Consulting LLC
  • Ryan Long: CPO & Founder, OnPurpose Studio
  • Ryan Alcorn: Co-founder & CEO, GrantExec
  • Ryan Frankel
  • Ryan Hummel
  • Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
  • Sanjaykumar Patel: Founder -Patent & Trademark Attorney, EXCELON IP - Patent & Trademark Attorneys
  • Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
  • Scott Wittrock: Fractional CPO, Head for Product
  • Sean Adams: Head of Sales & Partnerships, iorad
  • Seth Goldstein: Principal Creative Director, Goldstein Media LLC
  • Shaun Gold: Entrepreneur, storyteller, GP at Improve Ventures, Improve Ventures
  • Sina Roshan: Cofounder & CPO, Peekage (Techstars 2020)
  • Soujanya Mukka: Founder and CEO , MyB2BNetwork
  • Stacy Kimmel: Independant Consultant , FoodVisors LLC
  • Stefanie Smith: Founder, Double S Consulting
  • Stefanos Damianakis: President, Zaruko Advisors
  • Stephan Thomas: Managing Partner, Artimon3D
  • Stephen Spivak
  • Sushma Rajagopalan
  • Tanya Williamson: Chief Visionary Officer , Tanya Williamson
  • Tim Dodd: Founder, JTD Group
  • T.J. Butler: Founder, 45 Solutions
  • Tovit Neizer: Chief Storyteller, Yellow Bricks
  • Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
  • Vincent Perez: Strategic Management & Corporate Development, Penn State
  • Vipin Makhija: Founder, Mentor, Advisor, Kast
  • Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
  • Wendy Moore: Founder & CEO, Eleve Talent
  • Xan Hong: Owner, Drive Phase Consulting
  • Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
  • Yousif Memon
  • Zach Messler: Founder, 26th Letter LLC (zachmessler.com)
  • Zave Smith: Co-Founder and CEO, xBound
  • Zoe Qiao

  • And many more to be announced.

Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over  7,800 Alumni raise over $1.85BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).

Join us in Philadelphia to help build the future. 

Apply to the Philadelphia Virtual 2022 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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