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:

Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372255
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 1:00pm, Jun 11, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371389
FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00pm, Jun 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371817
Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 1:00pm, Jun 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/372016
How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 8:00pm, Jun 26, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373886
Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Jun 30, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371658
Founder’s Guide to AI: Creating Effective Content with AI: 1:00pm, Jul 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/373259
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
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

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:

* Aaron Karp * Abby Sugar * Alfred Poor * Amrish Macedo * Arcui Usoara * Ben Stacey * Bill Rivkin * Chris Foltz * Daniel Nelson * Dustin Betz * Franklin Kamnang Ngansop * Jasmin Sethi * Joe Daniels * Joel Ginsparg * Kostas Karolemeas * Max Thalheimer * Melissa Li * Michelle Peters * Natalya Bagrova * Noah Wallach * Ozan Sonmez * Rajiv Madhok * Sara Ledterman * Solomon Asad * Stefanie Smith * Stefanos Damianakis * Stephan Thomas * Trevor Longino * Vladimir Pletyukhin * Xan Hong