Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Italy Startup Accelerator

The Founder Institute, the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Italy program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Italy's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Italy Founder Institute today.

Since 2009, our highly-structured accelerator programs have helped entrepreneurs at the earliest stages grow quickly, know what to do next, and make connections with the largest community of startup advisors.

It all starts with our renowned ‘FI Core’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of FI Core then receive free access to our advanced ‘Founder Lab’ accelerators for years to come, and can get matched with prospective investors in the FI Venture Network, a collection of global funds actively investing in the earliest rounds of funding.

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Italy, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

How Anyone Can Become a Solo Founder with AI: 6:00pm, May 05, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/397828
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession

See all upcoming events

The Italy program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alberto Martellini (Innovation Partner, Founder Institute), Amadeus Samson, Ariona Krasniqi ( Local Leader – Mentor Network, Founder Institute), Azra Gurbuz (Local Leader - Marketing & Community Lead, FI), Giovanni Salvi (Data Scientist, Serenis).

In addition, some of Italy's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Italy Founder Institute includes:

* Alberto Giusti * Alberto Martellini * Alessandro Cillario * Andrea Arienti * Antonello Schiavo * Ben Stacey * Bruno Reggiani * Corrado Blandini * Edoardo Volta * Ivelin Ivanov * Julián Jordan * Luigi Cito * Mahir Iskender * Marco De Biasi * Marta Marrucco * Massimo Romani * Massimo Schiavi * Mauro Baldoni * Michele Mattei * Mimi Yagoub * Mohammed Kashif * Natalia Iudina * Pietro Braguglia * Rajel Khambhaita * Sadegh Sarvi * Serdar Yucel * Serephina Ha * Shubhit Khaneja * Sush Bapna * Victor Schiller