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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 Rome program!

If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Italy's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Italy 2022 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 Italy, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession

The Italy program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Andrea Solimene (CoFounder Seedble, SEEDBLE SRL), Francesco Fullone (Entrepreneur, Advisor and Mentor, Daruma Consulting), Rosbeh Thomas Zakikhani Nejad Arange (CEO, YellowX OU).

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

  • Alberto Giusti: Business Angel - Entrepreneur - Strategy Consultant, Guanxi Ltd
  • Alberto Garuccio: Fintech | Insurtech |Impact Entrepreneur, Reale Group, Aroundrs
  • Alessandro Collesano: CFO, Enea Tech
  • Alessandro Rossi: CFO & Co-Founder, Movenda S.p.A.
  • Alessia Gianaroli: Cofounder, Deephound
  • Alessio Pisa: CEO, Instilla
  • Alessio Colabuono: COO - Innovation Advisor, Seedble
  • Andrea Di Camillo: Managing Partner, Principia Sgr
  • Andrea Solimene: CEO & Founder, Seedble
  • Andrea Palermo: Founder & CEO , Growthers SRL
  • Andrea Landini: Head of Community | Managing Partner, Gellify
  • Benedetto Buono: EMBA / Manager & Business Angel, Sistem Pangan
  • Carolina Gianardi: Business Angel | Board Member, AMEX
  • Charlotte Chiang: Ceo & Founder, Missfits Apparel Ltd
  • Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
  • Christian Richmond Nzi: CEO, MyGrants
  • Christoph Sollich: Christoph Sollich - The Pitch Doctor, The Pitch Doctor
  • Claudio La Torre: Advisor | M&A | Strategy & Operations | Global Business Development , Deephound, Wsense, Match Maker Ventures
  • Daniele Costa: Founder & Partner, KBL Law
  • Dario Saramin: Sr. Innovation Manager
  • Duygu Sefa: Founder & CEO, Babonbo
  • Emanuele Bianconi: Founder, SQUP
  • Enrico Pandian: Founder, StartupGym
  • Fabrizio Machella
  • Federico Mammano: Entrepreneur | Speaker , TeachingEntrepreneurship.org
  • Federico Giannetti: Principal, Inveo Group
  • Federico Dettori
  • Francesco Fullone: Entrepreneur, Daruma Consulting
  • Francesco Pallanti: Founder, Periplo Consulting / Zulla / Chorally / Robhook.it
  • Frank Hysa: Senior Innovation Manager , Volvo Group
  • Gianluca Giovannetti: CIO, Amadori
  • Gianmarco Carnovale: CEO, Scuter
  • Giovanni Tufani: CoFounder , Seedble
  • Giuliana Baldo Chiaron: Head of Sales Training, Irideos
  • Glen Hellman: Glen Hellman - CRO & Business Development, CXO Elevate and University of Maryland
  • Ida Meglio: Founder, Sociallending
  • Jonathan Clarke: Start-Up Program Leader, OVHcloud
  • Leone Crescenzi: Ceo & Founder, Palco
  • Luca Barboni: Head of Growth, Resonance AI
  • Marco Calzolari: CEO, Agile Reloaded
  • Maria Matloub: designer | podcaster | advisor, GGUTT
  • Marie Pierre Schickel: Brand Innovation Strategist | Consultant, mentor and lecturer, Domus Academy
  • Mario Salsano: CEO, Wishraiser
  • Massimiliano De Stefano: CEO & Founder, LIDEA srl
  • Matteo Masserdotti: CEO & Founder, Viceversa
  • Michele Franzese: CMO , SCAI Comunicazione
  • Michele Mattei: Investor, Fintech expert, Manager, Qwist
  • Paolino Madotto: CEO, Intelligentiae, data enablig business
  • Paolo Strangis: Director, Digital Innovation Hub
  • Roberto Sparano: Partner, Lawal Legal and Tax Advisory
  • Roberto Macina: Managing Partner & Co-Founder, WDA-The Co-Founder You Need
  • Rodrigo Boccioletti: Lawyer, Gianni&Origoni
  • Rosbeh Thomas Zakikhani Nejad Arange: Cofounder, Deephound ltd
  • Silvia Fanzecco: Community & Communication Manager, SheTech
  • Simonetta Cavalieri: President , SIS : Social Innovation Society
  • Stefano Stravato: Growth & Service Designer, Seedble
  • Stiven Muccioli: Founder and CEO, BKN301 and SM Capital
  • Thiago Hc: Board Member, MarQ.
  • Valentino Megale: CEO, Softcare Studios
  • Valerio Durazzo: Co-Founder & Investor, Lumen Ventures
  • Walter Scarfò: CEO, YOUTOPIA

  • And many more to be announced.

Join us in Italy to build a great company in 2024. 

Apply to the Italy 2022 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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