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 2026 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 2026 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:
- Meet the Delaware Valley Startup Ecosystem (In-Person Networking Event): 3:00pm, Feb 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/381275
- FI Philadelphia Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies: 6:00pm, Feb 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388318
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 1:00pm, Feb 23, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388152
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 1:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385471
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 1:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385310
- What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A with Keshia Theobald-van Gent: 12:00pm, Mar 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387412
- The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 1:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389234
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, Mar 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388424
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 8:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387590
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 12:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388825
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 12:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389033
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 8:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389454
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:
- 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
- Amit Bhanot: Venture Partner, Loyal VC
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, 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
- Bill Goodwin
- Bo Motlagh: Co-Founder, Managing Partner, UE Venture Studios
- Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
- Bonnie Ravina: Startup Advisor, Connector, Market Readiness , Full Circle: 360 Marketing
- Catia Nunes Fractional Growth Marketing Leader: Head of Growth, Strativise
- Chris Morris
- Christian Behl: International Business Development, Cognition IP
- Chuck Sacco
- Daniel Nelson: Recovering Accountant, Startup Economics
- Daniel Ritterman: CEO & Founder, MainLineDelivery (acquired by Square)
- Daria Duda: Product Marketing Strategy Consultant, Outside In Marketing Strategy
- David Lasus: CEO, Heart + Paw
- David Stengle: CEO & Founder , Board++
- David Postolski: Partner, Gearhart Law
- David Simpson
- Deana Graffeo Weeks
- Deep Parmar: Founding Partner, Caramel Advisors LLC
- Deka Dike: Founder & CEO, Omatochi
- Dipa Tapadar: Tech & Data Leader | GenAI & AI/ML | Program/Portfolio Mgmt | ERP/CRM Transformation | Life Sciences, Pharma, Higher Ed, Cognizant Technology Solution
- Dmitry Shmakov: Senior Software Engineer, Revenue Vessel
- 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
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS 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.
- Helen De La Rosa: FI Mentor, Founders Institute
- Ike Nwabufo
- Jedidiah Weller: CEO, OpenForge
- Jeffrey Garwood: VP Architecture Financial Services and Healthcare, Salesforce.com
- Jerah Siegal
- 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
- Jon Zaikowski: Assistant Director, New York Angels
- Jon Wonnell: CEO, Transformative Sciences LLC
- June W Choi: Managing Partner, Serval Ventures
- Justin Bean
- Karen Robinson: Pitch Deck & Data Room Advisor, Karen Robinson Consulting
- Lawron Ballard: CPA, Hill Town Advisors
- Mac Goswami: Senior Technical Program Manager, Fiserv Inc
- 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
- Melissa Li: Managing Partner and Head of Community, Dorm Room Fund
- Mellie Chow: Venture Partner, Archangel Axion
- Michael Bertoni: Founder and CEO, SaaS Talent
- Michael Spidaliere: Principal, First Time Founder Capital
- Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
- Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA: Innovation Management Expert/Founder, , Value-N-Action Consulting
- Nadine Campbell: Founder | Strategic Consultant , ACE Entrepreneurs
- 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
- Oz Merchant: CEO, Futureproof
- 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
- Rajiv Madhok: Founder, Oorja
- Rajprasath Subramanian: Principal Enterprise architect and Start-up Advisor, SAP
- Randy Fisher: CEO, Expand to New Markets
- Rich Heckelmann: Mentor and Professional Consultant , Keystone Founders + Forward Vision Consulting
- Ronda Siegel: Partner, RSiegel Consulting LLC
- Ryan Long: CPO & Founder, OnPurpose Studio
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sanjaykumar Patel: Founder -Patent & Trademark Attorney, EXCELON IP - Patent & Trademark Attorneys
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Scott Wittrock: Fractional CPO, Head for Product
- Seth Goldstein: Principal Creative Director, Goldstein Media LLC
- Shaun Gold: Entrepreneur, storyteller, GP at Improve Ventures, Improve Ventures
- Sonya Trivedi: Founder and CEO, AIMAR
- Soujanya Mukka: Founder and CEO , MyB2BNetwork
- 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
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Zach Messler: Founder, 26th Letter LLC (zachmessler.com)
- Zack Light: Software Engineer, High Frequency Trading Company
- Zoe Qiao
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Philadelphia to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Philadelphia Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
