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:

Meet Global Alumni from Founder Institute: 1:00pm, Feb 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/383942
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Transform Your Region into a Hub for Cross-Border Entrepreneurship: 1:00pm, Feb 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387051
How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 8:00pm, Feb 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/383748
Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships: 1:00pm, Feb 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387900
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 1:00pm, Feb 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385138
Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 1:00pm, Feb 23, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388170
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 1:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385472
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 1:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385311
What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A: 12:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387427
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 8:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387605

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:

* Abdellah Aouf * Alfred Poor * Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, MSEL, PCC, CPQC®, CELC * Bill Rivkin * Daniel Nelson * Don Samoil * Dustin Betz * Eric Torigian * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Jon Zaikowski * Lawrence Rich * Max Thalheimer * Melissa Li * Michelle Peters * Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA * Nadine Campbell * Nathan Mancine * Noah Wallach * Ozan Sonmez * Pete Biggam * Peter Chmiel * Ronda Siegel * Sara Ledterman * Stefanie Smith * Stefanos Damianakis * Tim Dodd * Tovit Neizer * Vipin Makhija * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Xan Hong