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:
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 8:00pm, Nov 10, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382156
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Unlock Your Region’s Entrepreneurial Potential for Economic Growth: 12:00pm, Nov 12, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382171
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Kirby Winfield: 1:00pm, Nov 17, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382179
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00pm, Nov 24, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382211
- Build Your 2026 Startup Operations Plan: 1:00pm, Dec 01, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/381765
- Hiring for Startups: How to Build Your Team Early: 1:00pm, Dec 08, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382199
- Founder Showcase: Startup Pitch & Networking Event, with Jenny Fielding: 12:00pm, Dec 10, 2025 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382191
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00pm, Jan 26, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/382070
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
- 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
- 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
- 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 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
- Ike Nwabufo
- Isabelle Kent: CEO, Startup Leaders
- 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
- Lawrence Rich
- 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, 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
- 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
- Richard Ward, MYXFUND
- 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 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.
