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 Pittsburgh - Philadelphia Spring 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Pittsburgh's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Pittsburgh - 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 Pittsburgh, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 8:00pm, Apr 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392189
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Fundraising in a More Disciplined Capital Environment: 6:00pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393770
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 8:30pm, Apr 07, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390142
- Building the Right Team as a First‑Time CEO: 6:00pm, Apr 09, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393773
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 8:00pm, Apr 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389465
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 12:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390760
- Leveraging AI and Technology Without Losing Focus: 6:00pm, Apr 14, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393776
- Founder Resilience, Decision‑Making, and Mental Load: 6:00pm, Apr 16, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393779
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 12:30pm, Apr 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395784
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, Apr 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395617
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 12:00pm, Apr 27, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392413
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 12:00pm, Apr 28, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394047
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 12:30pm, May 04, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/394548
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 8:00pm, May 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390316
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Unfiltered Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors: 12:00pm, May 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/395473
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00pm, Jun 02, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390492
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, Jun 08, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388432
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00pm, Jun 15, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393197
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00pm, Jul 06, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392827
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390630
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30am, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393320
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00pm, Aug 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391182
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00pm, Aug 18, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391270
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/392937
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00pm, Sep 21, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391549
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30pm, Oct 05, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/390906
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393450
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 12:00pm, Nov 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/393067
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 8:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391411
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 12:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/391050
The Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh 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
- 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
- Bill Rivkin: Virtual Relationship Manager |non-dilutive funding, Citizens Bank
- Bobbi Muscara: CEO - Director of Education, Ledger Academy
- Chris Morris
- Christian Behl: International Business Development, Cognition IP
- 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++
- Deana Graffeo Weeks
- Deka Dike: Founder & CEO, Omatochi
- Don Pancoe: Chief Blinker, Blinkenlights Technologies
- Dustin Betz: Director of Operations, White Rose Ventures
- Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
- Frank Jacquette
- Franklin Kamnang Ngansop: Co-Founder, Vitamin CS Coaching
- 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
- Ike Nwabufo
- Jeffrey Garwood: VP Architecture Financial Services and Healthcare, Salesforce.com
- Jerah Siegal
- Joel Ginsparg: Managing Partner, Firelight Partners, LLC
- Karen Robinson: Pitch Deck & Data Room Advisor, Karen Robinson Consulting
- Lawrence Rich
- Mac Goswami: Senior Technical Program Manager, Fiserv Inc
- Mario Casabona: Angel Investor, Casabona Ventures
- Martina Truche: Healthcare Innovator , Space Medicine Enthusiast
- Melissa Li: Managing Partner and Head of Community, Dorm Room Fund
- Michelle Peters: Co-Founder & CEO, Supplino
- Nadia Al-Banna, PHD, MBA: Innovation Management Expert/Founder, , Value-N-Action Consulting
- Nathan Mancine: FI Mentor, LeanTaaS
- Noah Wallach: Founder, Hope OS
- Owen Occhetti: Consultant, Avant Technology Group
- Ozan Sonmez: Co-Founder, Brutally Honest Group
- Paul Mosenson: Owner, NuSpark Consulting and NuSpark Media
- Pete Biggam: Director / Mentor / Advisor, Founder Institute
- Peter Chmiel: Owner, Cutting Edge Consulting
- 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
- Sameer Babbar: Director, SVB Group
- Sara Ledterman: General Partner, 3+ Ventures
- Scott Wittrock: Fractional CPO, Head for Product
- Shaun Gold: Entrepreneur, storyteller, GP at Improve Ventures, Improve Ventures
- Sonya Trivedi: Founder and CEO, AIMAR
- Stefanie Smith: Founder, Double S Consulting
- Stephan Thomas: Managing Partner, Artimon3D
- Tovit Neizer: Chief Storyteller, Yellow Bricks
- Trevor Longino: Founder & CEO, CrowdTamers
- Yemi Oluseun: Growth & GTM For FinTechs, The Change Hive
- Zack Light: Software Engineer, High Frequency Trading Company
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Pittsburgh to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Pittsburgh - Philadelphia Spring 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
