Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
At the Founder Institute, we know times are tough, but we also know that economic downturns are a great time to start a business. This isn't just conjecture - the Founder Institute was started in April of 2009 (during the "Great Recession"), and world-leading companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple also took advantage of cost savings during a recession to launch and get their initial traction.
That's why we are excited to announce today that applications are now open for the Pittsburgh 2023 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Pittsburgh's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Pittsburgh 2023 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Pennsylvania over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the devoted support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
The Pittsburgh program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including David Cerniglia (Software Developer, The Dev Shop), Greg Coticchia (X, X), Pitt Admin (Admin, Founder Institute), Randy Eager (Founder & Managing Partner, ResTec Solutions).
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:
- Afshan Khan: EIR, Innovation Works
- Akhil Chaturvedi: Machine Learning Engineer, Philips
- Alan Martello: President, Blue Lotus LLC
- Ann Pierce: CEO, Rabble AI
- Atul Bansal: CEO, TimeSys
- Beth Slagle: Attorney, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP
- Bill Jackson: Co-founder and CEO, Sinovia Technologies
- Britta Ulm: Senior Project Manager, Robotic Product Support, Smith and Nephew
- Chris Rasmussen: CEO, Gajjitz, Inc.
- Claye Greene: CEO, TechBlue, Inc.
- Cole Wolfson: Senior Program Manager, AlphaLab Gear
- Courtney Williamson: CEO, AbiliLife
- Currie Crookston: CEO, ResTec Solutions
- Darnell Moses: Principal, Sesom Consulting
- David Kalson: Shareholder and Co-Leader, Dentons Venture Technology National Practice Group, Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, P.C
- David Wible: CEO, Plan Grind Deliver
- Don Morrison: Chairman of Deal Flow, Blue Tree Allied Angels
- Eric Wise: Founder CEO/VP Industrial Solutions, Wise Telemetry/Otodata
- Euan Guttridge: Founder, Reinforced Ventures
- Fahmy Mechael: Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Pittsburgh Glass Works
- Glenn Watson: Commercialization Advisor, LifeX
- Ilana Diamond: Managing Partner, 412 Venture Fund
- Ingrid Cook: CEO, SHzoom
- Jared Glover: CEO, Capsen Robotics
- Jason Jones: Vice President - Community Development
- Jeff Schneider: Professor, Machine Learning, Carnegie Mellon University
- Jeff Lizik: President/CEO, RedShift
- Jennifer Sydeski Hurd: CEO, Connect Wolf
- Jim Gibbs: Co-Founder and CEO, Meter Feeder, Inc.
- Jim Jordan: CEO, StraTactic, Inc.
- Joe Ferrara: CEO, Security Journey
- John Riley: Owner, The Richards Group
- John Seiffer: CEO, CEO Boot Camp
- John Lawton: Principal, LM Resources
- Kevin Dowling: CEO, Kaarta
- Kevin Israel: Partner, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP
- Kit Needham: Director and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Project Olympus, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, Carnegie Mellon University
- Lauren Townsend: Co-Founder, Millie's Ice Cream
- Lillian Rafson: Founder, CEO, Pack Up + Go
- Luke Skurman: CEO, Niche
- Marc Brown: Principal, ABR Ventures
- Marcel Bergerman: Chief Operating Officer, Near Earth Autonomy
- Mark Adkins: Founder & President, Smart Hammer Innovation
- Mark DeSantis: CEO, Bloomfield
- Martina Truche: Healthcare Innovator , Space Medicine Enthusiast
- Meghan Skiff: Founder, MixyMarketing
- Mike Formica: Managing Director Hardware, Innovation Works
- Mike Bauer: Chief Products OfficerChief Products Officer, Sopheon
- Nathan Mancine: FI Mentor, LeanTaaS
- Ned Show: CEO, Chemistry Communications
- Nicholas Kuhn: CEO, Setex Technologies
- Nicole Zevola Benvenuti: CEO, 1984
- Rachel Reid, Subtl Beauty
- Rich Lunak: President & CEO, Innovation Works
- Richard Longo: Interim Director & Business Consultant, Duquesne University/School of Business Small Business Development Center
- Sarjoun Skaff: Founder and CTO, Bosa Nova Robotics
- Scot Mactaggart: Chief Innovation Officer, Dagostino Electronic Services
- Sreekar Gadde: Managing Partner, BlueTree Venture Capital
- Tina Goodman: Senior Corporate Recruiter, Lucas Systems
- Tomer Borenstein: Co-founder and CTO, BlastPoint
- Zach Malone: Partner, Magarac Venture Partners
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
Join us in Pennsylvania and help build the future.
Apply to the Pittsburgh 2023 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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