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 Rome - Italy Fall 2026 program!
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Italy's top investors and entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Rome - Italy Fall 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 Italy, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs:
- The AI-Native Founder Revolution: Build Your Company Faster Than Ever : 6:00pm, Jul 08, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/401592
- Venture Trailblazers featuring Tim Draper: 5:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/401984
- Go From Idea to Working App with AI, Featuring Adeo Ressi: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/402111
- How to Build Without a Team Using AI with Jonathan Greechan: 6:00pm, Jul 14, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/401824
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 6:00pm, Jul 20, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398676
- [Restricted] VIP Pitch Lounge: Pitch Live and Get Feedback from Investors & Advisors: 6:00pm, Jul 28, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/401111
- Learn from AI-Native Solo Alumni: How FI Grads Built Without a Co-Founder: 6:00pm, Aug 04, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398709
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 2:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398706
- FounderX Silicon Valley 2026: Global Conference in San Francisco: 2:00am, Aug 26, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/399852
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 6:00pm, Sep 01, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398795
- How to Build a Strong Pipeline of Entrepreneurs for your Innovation Hub: 6:00pm, Sep 15, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398251
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 6:00pm, Oct 13, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/399056
The Italy program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Alberto Martellini (Founder Institute Innovation Partner, Vision to Life), Amadeus Samson, Ariona Krasniqi ( Local Leader – Mentor Network, Founder Institute), Azra Gurbuz (Local Leader - Marketing & Community Lead, FI), Giovanni Salvi (Data Scientist, Serenis).
In addition, some of Italy'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 Italy Founder Institute includes:
- Alberto Martellini: Ecosystem leader | Entrepreneur | Mentor, Founder Institute Innovation Partner
- Alberto Lombardi, Energy Expert | Sustainability Passionate | Angel Investor | Start up Advisor
- Alberto Giusti: Co-founder & General Partner, P3Ventures
- Alberto Clavarino: President, Fondazione Genova Startup
- Alessandro Gaini: Founder, Buongiorno San Paolo
- Alessandro Zanchetton, Ciao Elsa
- Alessandro Cillario: Co-Founder, Cubbit
- Alexandra Fattal: Venture Partner, Loyal VC
- Andrea Ramoino: Transformational Leader, Fintech, Payments, Digital Assets, SaaS
- Andrea Arienti: CEO & Founder, 3dnextech
- Angelica Velati: Co-founder and Social Impact Manager, BEBY.best - Better Environment Better You
- Anna Gaile: Co-Founder , Edudoro.eu & zlotynauczyciel.pl
- Antonello Schiavo: EMEA Delivery Manager, Google
- Antonia Verna: Partner, PORTOLANO CAVALLO
- Aras Bilgen: UX Consultant / Trainer, Aras Bilgen
- Ben Stacey: CEO, Pitchverk
- Bruno Reggiani: Coo - co-founder, Tot.
- Camilla Barlocco: Founder, UBI Consulting
- Camilla Bellotti: Leadership Consultant
- Chris Foltz: Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Founder Institute
- Corrado Blandini: Lawyer & Business Coach, Uno Quattro
- Duygu Sefa: Co-Founder, Babonbo
- Edoardo Volta: SVP Partnerships & Business Development, Curve
- Emanuele Torlonia: Managing Director, Italian Angels for Growth
- Enrico Frascati: Freelancer, Digitalvibe
- Fabio Costa: Founder, SecurityCert
- Fabrizio Spaolonzi: Co-founder, Buongiorno San Paolo
- Filippo Satolli: CEO | Board Member | Entrepreneur | Advisor & Investor, Cii2
- Francesco Gia: Accelerator Associate, IMPACT HUB MILANO
- Giacomo Poggiali: Product Advisor, 500 Global
- Giancarlo Vergine: Founder & Managing Partner, Over Ventures
- Giorgio Seveso: Co-Founder, Tundr
- Irene Verheijen, FI Amsterdam
- Ivelin Ivanov: Venture Advisor, Founder Institute
- Iwona Kerr, Energy Mix Ventures
- Jeffrey Paine: Founding Partner, Golden Gate Ventures, Singapore
- Julián Jordan: CEO, Grupo DISS
- Lorenzo Di Cataldo: Head of Partnerships, Emotion Network
- Lorenzo Giampaolo Arrigoni: Associate, PORTOLANO CAVALLO
- Luigi Cito: Relationship Director, WEX Inc.
- Mahir Iskender: Founder, KNDR Digital
- Marco De Biasi: Startups Investor & Advisor /Program Director/Conselheiro Fiscal, LGA/Italcam/Mobicity
- Marco Cello: Founder, Meshify
- Marco Boscariol: Associate, Portolano Cavallo
- Marta Marrucco: Owner, Smart Founder
- Massimiliano Squillace: Founder, Contents.com
- Massimo Schiavi, FI Milan
- Massimo Romani: dr. Massimo Romani, CFO and financial background - EMBA
- Mauro Baldoni: Founder, Beat2Impact
- May Mor: Organizational Consultant and Coach, Scale with May
- Michele Mattei: Investor, Fintech expert, Manager, Qwist
- Mimi Yagoub: Thought Leadership & PR , Publicize
- Mohammed Kashif: Senior Quality Assurance Automation Engineer, Department of Motor Vehicles
- Natalia Iudina: Co-founder & COO, Zlotynauczyciel.pl, Edudoro.eu
- Pier Paolo Mucelli: Entrepreneur, TechItalia Lab
- Pietro Braguglia: Co-Founder, Beaversity Consulting
- Rajel Khambhaita: Financial and Investment Advisor, Funder Advisor
- Russ Lewis: Digital transformation & Investor, Agile transformation services and solutions
- Sadegh Sarvi: Project Manager, INTRASENSORS BV
- Serdar Yucel: Director Sales, Marketing and Strategy, TUBITAK
- Serephina Ha: Managing Director, Founder Institute - Los Angeles and Boston
- Sergio Rossi: CEO, Fondazione Genova Startup
- Shubhit Khaneja: Principal Product Manager, Zalando
- Simone Dozza: CRO, Kiratech
- Stefano Toro, Prolaw
- Sush Bapna: General Partner, 10Ten Ventures
- Varun Jain: Founder, 99foundr
- Victor Schiller: President, R Cubed Group
- Vincenzo Cioffi: Startup Advisor, Business Angel, Investor, Growth Engine
- Vladimir Pletyukhin: Founder and Creative Director, Launch Deck
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Italy to build a great company in 2025.
Apply to the Rome - Italy Fall 2026 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
