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 Italy 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 Italy 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 Agentic’ accelerator, which pushes founders at the idea and pre-seed stages to reach the milestones needed for investment and sustained growth. Alumni of the FI Agentic program then receive free access to our advanced post-graduate programs 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:
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Founders of High-Growth Startups (Q&A + Networking): 6:00pm, Oct 06, 2026 (Europe/Rome): https://FI.co/e/398709
- 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 Giusti * Anna Gaile * Antonia Verna * Camilla Bellotti * Chris Foltz * Duygu Sefa * Emanuele Torlonia * Fabio Costa * Filippo Satolli * Francesco Gia * Giacomo Poggiali * Giancarlo Vergine * Giorgio Seveso * Irene Verheijen * Iwona Kerr * Lorenzo Giampaolo Arrigoni * Marco Boscariol * Marta Marrucco * Massimiliano Squillace * Massimo Schiavi * May Mor * Pier Paolo Mucelli * Rajel Khambhaita * Russ Lewis * Sergio Rossi * Shubhit Khaneja * Stefano Toro * Sush Bapna * Vincenzo Cioffi * Vladimir Pletyukhin
- And many more to be announced.
Join us in Italy to build a great company in 2026.
Apply to the Italy Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
