Build a Great Startup in 2023 with the FI Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Philadelphia's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, May 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398572
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Start a Unicorn as a Solo Founder, with Adeo Ressi: 1:30pm, May 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399119
Vibecoding 101 for Startups: Build Your First App w/ Mark Montalban: 12:30pm, Jun 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398060
Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398505
How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 12:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398294
How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job Featuring Adeo Ressi: 2:00pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399239
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact (POSTPONED): 8:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398967
What It Takes to Get Funded: Live Investor Q&A w/ Maayan Teper: 12:00pm, Jun 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398612
Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398631
Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398643
Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398671
From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398700
Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398741
Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398761
What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398790
Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398806
From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/398821
From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/399051

See all upcoming events

The Philadelphia program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Bill Rivkin (Business Banking Virtual Relationship Manager VP, Citizens), Don Samoil (Chapter Leader, FI Keystone), Philly Admin (A, A).

In addition, some of Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia Founder Institute includes:

* Abdellah Aouf * Alfred Poor * Amit Bhanot * Arcui Usoara * Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, MSEL, PCC, CPQC®, CELC * Ben Stacey * Bill Rivkin * Daniel Nelson * Dustin Betz * Eric Torigian * Matiullah Rahmaty * Max Thalheimer * Melissa Li * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Nadine Campbell * Nathan Mancine * Noah Wallach * Ozan Sonmez * Pete Biggam * Ronda Siegel * Sara Ledterman * Soujanya Mukka * Stefanie Smith * Stefanos Damianakis * Stephan Thomas * Tovit Neizer * Trevor Longino * Vipin Makhija * Xan Hong * Zach Messler