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 Philadelphia Spring 2025 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Philadelphia's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Philadelphia Spring 2025 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 Philadelphia, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
Philadelphia Events:
- Spring into AI Series: Session 1 – AI Voice Agents: Accelerating Business Growth: 6:00pm, Apr 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371155
- Startup Funding: Navigating the Grant Landscape: 12:00pm, May 01, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/369931
- [Restricted] May Welcome Wagon and Launch Mixer (In-Person): 5:30pm, May 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/357032
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Investing in Change: Monique Woodard on Building the Future with Cake Ventures: 2:00pm, Apr 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/369894
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Apr 28, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366160
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, May 05, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/369987
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 8:00pm, May 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366325
- Corporate Innovation in Action: How to Overcome Roadblocks: 1:00pm, May 08, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371084
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 1:00pm, May 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366457
- Future-proofing CPG Brands: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth: 10:00am, May 15, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/371023
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, May 26, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370380
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00pm, Jun 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370619
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Jun 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/370769
The Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia Founder Institute includes:
- Aaron Karp: Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Founder Institute
- Abdellah Aouf: Chief Executive Officer, GO PLATFORM
- Albert Whale: Founder & CEO, IT Security Solutions
- Alfred Poor: Keynote speaker and virtual event expert, The Health Tech Futurist
- Amrish Macedo: Co-Founder, Intempio
- Andrew Soh: Founder & CEO, Fundigo
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills, MSEL, PCC, CPQC®, CELC: Founder & Owner, Purpose-Filled Solutions & Evolutions
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Ben Williams
- Bhaskar Ahuja: CEO, Sand Hill Road Technologies Fund
- Bill Rivkin: Virtual Relationship Manager |non-dilutive funding, Citizens Bank
- Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
- Bonnie Ravina
- Brian Slough
- Carl Starkey: Co-Founder & CEO, AWSM Sauce Co
- Charlie Birch
- Daniel Ritterman: CEO & Founder, MainLineDelivery (acquired by Square)
- Daniel J. Massimino: Chief Executive Officer, MassHoldings
- Daria Duda: Product Marketing, Consultant
- David Stengle: CEO & Founder , Board++
- David Postolski: Partner, Gearhart Law
- Debjit Saha: Co-Founder, HomeAbroad Inc.
- Deep Parmar: Founding Partner, Caramel Advisors LLC
- Don Samoil: Managing Partner, Trusted Scale
- Don Pancoe: Chief Blinker, Blinkenlights Technologies
- Drew Chapin: Partner, The Discoverability Company
- Dustin Betz: Director of Operations, White Rose Ventures
- Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
- Ellen Weber: Executive Director, Robin Hood Ventures
- Eric Torigian: CEO and Managing Director, Advisory Services, CHRO Solutions
- Frank Jacquette
- Frank Shultz
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- Garry Johnson
- Gary Cohen: Owner, Practical Agility LLC
- Geoffrey Kent: Founder and CEO, I left corporate America 24 years ago, and launched my current venture (Think Big with Geoffrey Kent) 4 years ago.
- Greg Mester: President, Idea Communication Networks, Inc.
- Helen De La Rosa: FI Mentor, Founders Institute
- Isabelle Kent
- Jedidiah Weller: CEO, OpenForge
- Joel Ginsparg: Managing Partner, Firelight Partners, LLC
- John Weathers: Business Development & Research Consultant | Board Member | Co-Founder & Director, Vizmoo.com | BenchK12.com | The Cultural Bridge Project
- Jon Zaikowski: Assistant Director, New York Angels
- Jon Wonnell: CEO, Transformative Sciences LLC
- Juan Lacey: CEO, Farms Close By
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Karen Robinson: Pitch Deck & Data Room Advisor, Karen Robinson Consulting
- Karina Sotnik: Founder/CEO, WorldUpstart
- Kathryn Kuan
- Mac Goswami: Senior Technical Program Manager, Fiserv Inc
- Manush Saydmohammed: Co-founder & CEO, Zegenex
- Mara Schwartz
- Mario Casabona: Angel Investor, Casabona Ventures
- Mark Crouse, Cohesion Crafted
- Matiullah Rahmaty: Founder/President , BrightPoint Consulting Services
- Max Thalheimer: Co-Founder & CEO, Fynd
- Mellie Chow: Venture Partner, Archangel Axion
- Mellie Chow: Venture Partner, Axion Fund
- Michael Bertoni: Founder and CEO, SaaS Talent
- Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
- Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA: Senior Director of Product and Business Development, Allarta Life Science
- Nate Hecker: CEO, Big Idea, Inc.
- Nathan Mancine: FI Mentor, LeanTaaS
- Nicholas Yankanich: Co-Founder/CTO, Farms Close By
- Orly Zeewy: Brand Strategist, Zeewy Brands
- Owen Occhetti: Consultant, Avant Technology Group
- Pam Knox: CEO/Chief Strategist, Pam Knox LLC
- Patrick Thompson: Founder, Bootstrap First Incubator
- Paul Mosenson: Owner, NuSpark Consulting and NuSpark Media
- Pete Biggam: Director / Mentor / Advisor, Founder Institute
- Peter Chmiel: Owner, Cutting Edge Consulting
- Rajiv Madhok: Founder, Oorja
- Randy Fisher: CEO, Expand to New Markets
- Raoul Davis: CEO, Ascendant Group
- Rich Heckelmann: Marketing Specialist , Forward Vision Consulting
- Ronda Siegel: Partner, RSiegel Consulting LLC
- Ryan Long: CPO & Founder, OnPurpose Studio
- Ryan Alcorn: Co-founder & CEO, GrantExec
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Seth Goldstein: Principal Creative Director, Goldstein Media LLC
- Sina Roshan: Cofounder & CPO, Peekage (Techstars 2020)
- Soujanya Mukka: Founder and CEO , MyB2BNetwork
- Stacy Kimmel: Independant Consultant , FoodVisors LLC
- Stefanie Smith: Founder, Double S Consulting
- Stefanos Damianakis: President, Zaruko Advisors
- Stephan Thomas: Managing Partner, Artimon3D
- Stephen Spivak
- Tanya Williamson: Chief Visionary Officer , Tanya Williamson
- Tim Dodd: Founder, JTD Group
- T.J. Butler: Founder, 45 Solutions
- Tovit Neizer: Chief Storyteller, Yellow Bricks
- Tyler Wry
- Vipin Makhija: Founder, Mentor, Advisor, Kast
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Xan Hong: Owner, Drive Phase Consulting
- Zach Messler: Founder, 26th Letter LLC (zachmessler.com)
- Zoe Qiao
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Philadelphia to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Philadelphia Spring 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
