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 to Find the First Customers for Your Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Aug 11, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/403208
How to Get Customer Feedback on your Startup Idea in the Age of AI: 6:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/403364
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 24, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398706
FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/399852
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398795
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Sep 08, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/401111
How to Create a Great First Startup Pitch using AI: 2:30am, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/403503
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398251
Learn from FI Grads: How to Build Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398709
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/399056

See all upcoming events

The Italy program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alberto Martellini (Founder Institute Innovation Partner, Vision to Life), 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:

* Alessandro Cillario * Angelica Velati * Aras Bilgen * Camilla Bellotti * Chris Foltz * Edoardo Volta * Francesco Gia * Giacomo Poggiali * Giancarlo Vergine * Irene Verheijen * Ivelin Ivanov * Jeffrey Paine * Julián Jordan * Mahir Iskender * Marco Boscariol * Marco De Biasi * Massimo Romani * Massimo Schiavi * Michele Mattei * Mimi Yagoub * Mohammed Kashif * Pier Paolo Mucelli * Rajel Khambhaita * Russ Lewis * Serdar Yucel * Shubhit Khaneja * Simone Dozza * Stefano Toro * Sush Bapna * Varun Jain