Build a Great Startup in 2024 with the FI Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh program!

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

Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371658
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 1:00pm, Jul 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373259
Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 1:00pm, Jul 03, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375359
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jul 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372339
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 1:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373389
Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 1:00pm, Jul 14, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374486
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 1:00pm, Jul 16, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373517
Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 1:00pm, Jul 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373649
Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 1:00pm, Jul 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375993
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Aug 11, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374640
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Aug 18, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/374844
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Aug 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/375496
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 1:00pm, Sep 17, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373886

See all upcoming events

The Pittsburgh program 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 Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh Founder Institute includes:

* ANDRES OLIVEROS GONZALEZ * Aaron Karp * Alfred Poor * Amrish Macedo * Arcui Usoara * Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, MSEL, PCC, CPQC®, CELC * Ben Stacey * Bill Rivkin * Daniel Nelson * Dustin Betz * Eric Torigian * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Jasmin Sethi * Joe Daniels * Jon Zaikowski * Kostas Karolemeas * Matiullah Rahmaty * Max Thalheimer * Melissa Li * Nadine Campbell * Nathan Mancine * Ozan Sonmez * Pete Biggam * Raoul Davis * Ronda Siegel * Sara Ledterman * Stefanie Smith * Stephan Thomas * Trevor Longino * Vipin Makhija