Build a Great Startup in 2025 with the FI Pittsburgh Startup Accelerator

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:

Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 1:00pm, Feb 23, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388170
Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 1:00pm, Feb 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385472
FI Pittsburgh Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies: 6:00pm, Feb 25, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388930
Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 1:00pm, Mar 03, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/385311
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/387427
The 10x Leadership Framework for Growth in Large Organisations : 1:00pm, Mar 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389252
Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30pm, Mar 10, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388432
From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 8:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/387605
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 12:00pm, Mar 17, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/388843
[Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback from Global Investors & Advisors (Private Event): 12:00pm, Mar 24, 2026 (America/New_York): https://FI.co/e/389051
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

See all upcoming events

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