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:
- Tactics to Real Growth: The D2C Business Strategy That Scales: 2:00pm, Mar 19, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/381273
- Startup Ecosystem Partners – How to Become a Possibility Thinker: 12:00pm, Mar 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392667
- Finding Real Product–Market Fit (Before You Run Out of Runway): 6:00pm, Mar 31, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393624
Global or Regional Events:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- 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
- Venture Trailblazers, featuring Andrew D’Souza of Boardy (VIP Event): 11:00am, Mar 19, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389943
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, Mar 23, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388424
- [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
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 9:00pm, Mar 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392191
- Solo-Founder 101: How Anyone Can Start a Business Using AI: 12:00pm, Mar 31, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392537
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 8:00pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390140
- 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
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 12:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390756
- From Invisible Founder to Industry Voice Using LinkedIn: 12:00pm, Apr 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392401
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 8:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390311
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390488
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393196
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392820
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390626
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393319
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391178
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391268
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392936
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391547
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390902
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393449
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393079
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391403
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391007
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
- Bill Harper: CEO & Chief Creative Officer, BrandBossHQ
- Bo Motlagh: Co-Founder, Managing Partner, UE Venture Studios
- Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Irina Cozma: Owner | Coach | Consultant , Irina Cozma Consulting LLC
- 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
- Laura Maiurano: CRO & Co-Founder, Fivefoottwo Marketing
- 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
- Patrick Clancey
- Paul Mosenson: Owner, NuSpark Consulting and NuSpark Media
- Pete Biggam: Director / Mentor / Advisor, Founder Institute
- Peter Chmiel: Owner, Cutting Edge Consulting
- Prateem Hangloo: Senior Consultant, dnv
- 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
- Tobi Walter: Partner, Cofounders Capital
- 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.
