What we’re about
Startup Founder 101 brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.\
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This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.\
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Typical startup event topics include:\
• Coming up with a strong startup idea\
• Startup legal basics\
• How to pitch your startup\
• Starting a company without quitting your day job\
• How to raise funding for your startup\
• And much more!\
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Join the group to be invited to our next event!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert FeedbackLink visible for attendees
To launch a great startup, it is critical to get feedback on your ideas from entrepreneurs who have been there and done that. On this live online event, we will gather several startup experts ready to provide feedback for entrepreneurs who aspire to be investor-ready. The event will start by providing guidelines to create a compelling elevator pitch, and then attendees will have the opportunity to share their pitch with other entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors at virtual tables for instant feedback. Even if you don't want to share your pitch, you can still join to hear other startup ideas and witness how the experts review a pitch.
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❯ What You'll Learn:- How to give a concise, yet compelling, elevator pitch
- What investors are looking for in a startup pitch
- Specific advice and feedback on your pitch and startup ideas
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❯ To get the most out of this Pitch for Feedback event:- Come ready for live video networking.
- Prepare by starting with your one-sentence pitch. See how it's done using our One Sentence Pitch Format.
- Fill out our Elevator Pitch Worksheet at http://bit.ly/FI-elevatorpitch
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, discover Pitch Deck formats, and join an InfoSession to learn more about FI's Core Program.
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❯❯ This live, interactive online event promises valuable insights! Ensure your participation by RSVPing now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/19164 to receive the link to join us live! - US Market Entry for Growing StartupsLink visible for attendees
Ready to scale stateside? In this practical session, you'll learn how growing startups validate demand, localize pricing and messaging, and win first U.S. customers—without burning runway. We'll cover lean legal/tax setup, hiring options, and a 90-day GTM sprint across PLG, outbound, and partners, plus funding signals U.S. investors look for. Walk away with templates, tool stacks, and a clear next-step checklist.
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❯ What You'll Learn:- U.S. market entry strategies from leading founders, GTM, and legal experts.
- How to launch in a beachhead (state/segment) and scale nationwide (then global).
- Tactics that resonate with diverse U.S. buyers across regions and cultures.
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❯ Featured Speaker:- Guc Ozenci - Managing Director at Founder Institute Washington DC & Managing Partner at Connect-OP - Seasoned entrepreneur, technology professional and thriving leader with strong people skills and proven track record in connecting business needs with technology and innovation. Extensive consultative sales experience at global vendors. Co-founded a SaaS startup, raised two rounds of VC funding and recently exited by acquisition. Angel investor and advisor to multiple early stage ventures with 7x,3x and 2x markups. Mentor to social entrepreneurs, sponsor to social impact organizations.
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, learn about Finding a Co-Founder, or visit our Insights Blog for more startup tips.About Penn West Accelerator:
The Penn West Accelerator, powered by the Founder Institute and the Penn West Equity & Innovation District, is a premier equity-free program designed for post-MVP and seed-stage founders who are ready to expand in the U.S. East Coast.Running from October 27, 2025 to February 23, 2026 in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Golden Triangle, this program offers intensive in-person workshops, hands-on mentorship, workspace at WeWork, and a high-profile investor demo day. With no cost and no equity required, founders gain unparalleled access to resources, investors, and mentors to accelerate their growth.
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/378104/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Rich MaloyLink visible for attendees
Do you want to ask questions to startup investors about fundraising in a friendly, judgment-free environment? Are you looking to raise funding in the future, and want to learn what investors look for and how they evaluate potential investments? Then join us for this live, interactive Q&A event featuring Rich Maloy, Managing Partner at SpringTime Ventures. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your network and ask in-depth questions - Register now!
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❯ What You'll Learn:- Key metrics and pre-requisites for raising funding
- How to make yourself more attractive to investors
- The best ways to source different funding resources such as Angel investors, Venture Capitalists, grants and loans
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❯ Featured Speakers:- Rich Maloy - Managing Partner at SpringTime Ventures - Rich's mission is to rebuild the American dream through entrepreneurship. He works with early stage startups transforming the world, giving all people the opportunity to grow, learn and earn. With prior careers in finance and sales, he's now focused on startups investing through SpringTime Ventures where he is a Managing Partner. He's a father of two young children and loves sci-fi, skiing, and video games.
About the FI Venture Network
The FI Venture Network is an exclusive network of investors actively funding pre-seed and seed-stage startups before anyone else. Learn more by visiting the FI Venture Network page.
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❯❯ This live, interactive online event promises valuable insights! Ensure your participation by RSVPing now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/19495 to receive the link to join us live!
