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:

Pittsburgh Online Startup Idea Bootcamp: How to Evaluate Your Ideas: 6:00pm, Sep 10, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/378547
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 1:00pm, Sep 15, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/376148
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
Smart Outsourcing for Startups & SMBs: Powered by a B2B marketplace: 1:00pm, Sep 18, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/378381
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Sep 22, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/377500
Pitch Your Ideas to Pittsburgh Investors & Experts, Online: 6:00pm, Sep 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/378313
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Oct 06, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/377834
Speed Mentoring: Get Feedback and Network with Top Pittsburgh Mentors: 6:00pm, Oct 08, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/378378
Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Oct 27, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/377671
How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Nov 10, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/378922

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 * Abby Sugar * Abdellah Aouf * Alfred Poor * Amrish Macedo * Bill Rivkin * Carl Starkey * Chris Foltz * Daniel Nelson * Don Samoil * Dustin Betz * Jasmin Sethi * Joe Daniels * Joel Ginsparg * Melissa Li * Michelle Peters * Natalya Bagrova * Noah Wallach * Ozan Sonmez * Pete Biggam * Peter Yeargin * Raoul Davis * Solomon Asad * Stefanos Damianakis * Tim Dodd * Trevor Longino * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Xan Hong * Zach Messler