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:
- Why Leveraging Your Unique Life Proposition Is Crucial for Startup Success: 1:00pm, Apr 03, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/368516
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Inside the Mind of VCs: Backing Immigrant Founders: 6:00pm, Apr 03, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/369736
- Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition 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
- Adam House
- 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
- Bhaskar Ahuja: CEO, Sand Hill Road Technologies Fund
- 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
- Bonnie Ravina
- 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
- Chuck Sacco
- 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
- Elizabeth Planet
- 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
- 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.
- Heather Lawver: Founder & CEO, Ceemo
- Helen De La Rosa: FI Mentor, Founders Institute
- Isabelle Kent
- Jasmin Sethi: CEO, Sethi Clarity Advisers
- Jay Aigner
- 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
- Justin Bean
- 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
- Mark Crouse, Cohesion Crafted
- 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
- Michael Kainatsky
- Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
- Mo Zerban
- 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
- Rajprasath Subramanian
- Randy Fisher: CEO, Expand to New Markets
- Raoul Davis: CEO, Ascendant Group
- Rich Heckelmann: Marketing Specialist , Forward Vision Consulting
- Robert Stinsa
- Ronda Siegel: Partner, RSiegel Consulting LLC
- Ryan Long: CPO & Founder, OnPurpose Studio
- Ryan Frankel
- Ryan Hummel
- 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
- T.J. Butler: Founder, 45 Solutions
- 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
- Yousif Memon
- 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.
