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:
- Investor AMA: How to Make Your Startup Fundable!: 12:00pm, Feb 25, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367323
- AI for Startups: What to Choose and How to Use It : 11:00am, Feb 28, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367110
- Customer Development: Ask Smarter, Validate Faster: 5:00pm, Mar 04, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367352
- Positioning to Differentiate: How to Stand Out & Make an Impact: 5:00pm, Mar 05, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367350
- Welcome Wagon: In-Person Networking with our partner PSL: 5:30pm, Mar 05, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367596
- Building Your Dream Team: Co-Founders, Hiring & Scaling: 12:00pm, Mar 11, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367354
- Pitch Mastery: Shift your pitch from forgettable to memorable: 5:00pm, Mar 13, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367353
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Investor Valuation Basics: How to Assess Your Startup’s Worth ft Neil Shah: 1:00pm, Feb 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364434
- Creating a Clear and Compelling Positioning Statement: 12:00pm, Feb 26, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/368175
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Javier Caruso: 1:00pm, Feb 27, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364309
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 1:00pm, Mar 03, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366901
- Co-Founder Networking: Sales and Marketing Partner Matchmaking: 1:00pm, Mar 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364752
- What is the DNA of an Entrepreneur? Insights from 15 Years of Research: 1:00pm, Mar 19, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/364918
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Christian Karrer : 8:00pm, Mar 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/365250
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00pm, Mar 26, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/365061
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Stavros Pavlidis: 1:00pm, Apr 02, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/368034
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Trasition to Startup Founder : 1:00pm, Apr 07, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/365751
- How to Choose the Right Fundraising Path for Your Startup: 1:00pm, Apr 09, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367561
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, Apr 16, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366088
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 8:00pm, Apr 23, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/367759
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Apr 28, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366160
- 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
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Nathan Beckord: 1:00pm, May 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/366457
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
- Abby Sugar: CEO, Play Out Apparel
- 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
- 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
- Bill Rivkin: Virtual Relationship Manager |non-dilutive funding, Citizens Bank
- Bo Motlagh: Co-Founder, Managing Partner, UE Venture Studios
- Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
- Brad Messer: ., .
- Brian Slough
- Brian Griffiths
- Carl Starkey: Co-Founder & CEO, AWSM Sauce Co
- Cassie Tate
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Chris Morris
- Daniel Nelson: Recovering Accountant, Startup Economics
- Daniel Rosenthal: Partnerships Manager, StartEngine
- Daniel Ritterman: CEO & Founder, MainLineDelivery (acquired by Square)
- Daria Duda: Product Marketing, Consultant
- David Stengle: CEO & Founder , Board++
- David Postolski: Partner, Gearhart Law
- Deep Parmar: Founding Partner, Caramel Advisors LLC
- Deka Dike: Founder & CEO, Omatochi
- 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
- Francisco Marinaro: Ceo & Chariman, Afront Digiatl LTD
- Frank Jacquette
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Cofounder , Vitamin C&S Coaching
- 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.
- Heather Lawver: Founder & CEO, Ceemo
- Helen De La Rosa: FI Mentor, Founders Institute
- Isabelle Kent
- Jasmin Sethi: CEO, Sethi Clarity Advisers
- Jedidiah Weller: CEO, OpenForge
- Jennifer Marion
- Jess Edelstein
- Jesse DiLaura
- Joe Daniels: Partner, Co-Chair - Emerging Companies, Partner & Co-Chair, Emerging Companies Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- 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
- John Gamba
- John Steele
- Jon Zaikowski: Assistant Director, New York Angels
- Jon Wonnell: CEO, Transformative Sciences LLC
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Karen Robinson: Pitch Deck & Data Room Advisor, Karen Robinson Consulting
- Karina Sotnik: Founder/CEO, WorldUpstart
- Leon Degtar, leonconsults.com
- Mac Goswami: Senior Technical Program Manager, Fiserv Inc
- Maggie Dillon: CEO, Empress Security Insights, LLC
- Mara Schwartz
- Mario Casabona: Angel Investor, Casabona Ventures
- Martina Truche: Healthcare Innovator , Space Medicine Enthusiast
- 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
- Michael Spidaliere: Principal, First Time Founder Capital
- Michael Cirino
- Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
- Morgan Doyle: Associate Director - Buisness Development, Corporate Tax Incentives (CTI)
- Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA: Senior Director of Product and Business Development, Allarta Life Science
- Nadine Campbell: Founder, ACE Entrepreneurs
- Nareg Soghomonian
- Nate Hecker: CEO, Big Idea, Inc.
- Nathan Mancine: FI Mentor, LeanTaaS
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Orly Zeewy: Brand Strategist, Zeewy Brands
- Owen Occhetti: Consultant, Avant Technology Group
- Ozan Sonmez: Co-Founder, Brutally Honest Group
- Pam Knox: CEO/Chief Strategist, Pam Knox LLC
- Paul Mosenson: Owner, NuSpark Consulting and NuSpark Media
- Pete Biggam: Director / Mentor / Advisor, Founder Institute
- Peter Chmiel: Owner, Cutting Edge Consulting
- Raghu Rao: CEO, Splitbyte Inc
- Rajat Kapur
- 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 Frankel
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Scott Wittrock: Fractional CPO, Head for Product
- Seth Goldstein: Principal Creative Director, Goldstein Media LLC
- Shawn Gregoire
- Stacy Kimmel: Independant Consultant , FoodVisors LLC
- Stefanie Smith: Founder, Double S Consulting
- Stefanos Damianakis: President, Zaruko Advisors
- Stephan Thomas: Managing Partner, Artimon3D
- Stephen Spivak
- Sushma Rajagopalan
- Tanya Williamson: Chief Visionary Officer , Tanya Williamson
- Tim Dodd: Founder, JTD Group
- Tovit Neizer: Chief Storyteller, Yellow Bricks
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Vincent Perez: Strategic Management & Corporate Development, Penn State
- Vipin Makhija: Founder, Mentor, Advisor, Kast
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- Wendy Moore: Founder & CEO, Eleve Talent
- 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.
