Founder Institute New York: Startup Founder 101

Are you still waiting for the "right time" to start your startup? Join Jonathan Greechan, Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, for a live online event designed to help aspiring founders overcome hesitation and take immediate action on their startup ambitions. In this practical, mindset-focused session, you'll uncover the four mental excuses that kill momentum, learn why they feel so convincing, and discover how successful entrepreneurs shift from avoidance to action. You'll leave with the confidence, clarity, and tools to start your startup, plus a networking session to put your mindset into action.

Innovation districts thrive when they are not isolated but instead connected to broader networks. By leveraging regional and private partnerships, these districts can tap into global talent, investors, and mentors, accelerating growth and fostering innovation. Using Penn West as a successful example, this session will demonstrate how collaboration between local governments and private enterprises can create vibrant ecosystems that attract resources from beyond local boundaries. Learn how these strategic partnerships can transform innovation districts into dynamic hubs for startup success and economic growth.

❯ What You'll Learn:

• Learn how local governments and private companies can work together effectively.
• Understand how connecting with global networks can drive growth and innovation.
• Discover how partnerships can create long-term economic success for innovation districts.

Join us for the New York Graduation—reimagined as a live pitch competition. Our graduating founders will pitch their companies to a panel of mentors and alumni who've built, funded, and scaled startups, and compete for bragging rights and a featured profile from Founder Institute. Meet the newest alumni, see what they're building next, and connect with the broader community as we celebrate the cohort.

❯ Mentor Judges:

• Mark DeSantis was the CEO of Bloomfield, a venture-backed AI company in agriculture which sold to Kubota in 2024. He was previously cofounder and CEO of RoadBotics, a venture-backed AI company assessing roadway infrastructure. He was also previously cofounder and Chairman of kWantix, a quant energy hedge fund, and cofounder and CEO of kWantera, a venture-backed energy trading company. Previously, he was CEO of Think Through Learning, a venture-backed online tutoring company and US Managing Director of ANGLE Technology, PLC, a UK-based venture capital firm and consultancy.
• Rose Pember Robinson is head of Operations at Buildstock, a venture-backed B2B marketplace and software platform transforming construction materials procurement and cashflow through tech-enabled solutions. She was previously a founder of Hodge, which offered organic waste collection services to NYC businesses. Rose brings cross-venture experience in design, operations, and scaling early companies, with a background rooted in driving agency through design and operational excellence.
• David Silverstein is the co-founder and CEO of Ned, a venture-backed fintech building white-label lending infrastructure that helps lenders innovate and scale capital deployment across revenue-based and cash-flow lending products. Prior to Ned, he served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman & CEO at MediaLink and held leadership roles at DEFY Media. Earlier in his career, David was Press Secretary to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, shaping his deep understanding of capital flows and economic policy.

❯ We Proudly Announce the Following Graduates:

• Ajith Kumar Perakathu Somasekharan of Intelligent Assist
• Catherine Esposito of Blue Moss
• Chris Ikhiede of Thirdsentry
• David Blumenthal of Eddie
• Lucas Hudek of Maly
• Sean Bayrakal of V51
• Sofia Maria Bosch of MaMu
• Takahiro Miura of Ops Peer

Raising venture capital is not the only path to building a successful startup, and many founders need to grow their business to a meaningful stage before outside capital is even an option. Join Founder Institute for an in-person session focused on bootstrapping and seedstrapping as practical strategies for early-stage companies. Carolyn will share real-world lessons on funding your growth at the earliest stages, and how these approaches can strengthen your position whether you continue to bootstrap or eventually raise venture capital. Founders will also have the opportunity to share what they're building and receive concrete, practical ideas for funding their business. After the event there will be informal networking.

❯ About the Keynote Speaker: Carolyn Katz Co-Founder of Paddling Furiously
Carolyn Katz is the co-founder of Paddling Furiously, a peer-driven community for founders focused on building sustainable, real businesses through shared experience and practical insight. She has deep experience working with fast-growing companies, from early-stage startups to public multinationals.