Founder Institute - Keystone

The FI Keystone chapter is rockin' and rolling! ???? ?? We're charged??up for our next cohort and have a ton of events happening... ? Kicking it off is our "Quick Takes" webinar series, tackling startup topics, including ?? #startupinvestors, ??#customerdevelopment, building your ??#startupteam, ??#AIforstartups, ??#IP considerations, ??#pitching and much more! ?? ???This is your opportunity to ask questions and get a taste of everything FI and our renowned mentors can do to accelerate your startup and prepare you for funding! (By the way, applications are still open for our updated April start date!) Plus, we'll be showing up IRL too at Philly Startup Leaders #welcomewagon in March and other tech events throughout PA & NJ! Follow us to keep updated, or check out Cohesion Crafted, curator of all tech events in the tri-state area! #whoompthereitis????

?? Our Quick Takes Webinar Series is to the races! ?? Three down, and like the month of March, we're coming in like a lion ?? with at least 6?? more on the docket plus special sessions on grants and small business TBA soon! With over 100 #mentors dedicated to the startups coming through the local FI Keystone programs, now's your chance to get a first-hand look at the guidance and resources available from FI. We help #founders go from a ??brilliant idea ?? to funding ??! ? Our next cohort begins 4/21/25. Applications close soon! https://fi.co/core/11410

??? Finding you have some open time on your calendar today, Friday, 2/28? Maybe you're booked. ?? Or, maybe you're thinking there's room to squeeze ?? in more because there's always something to learn…right?? ?? We've got you! ?? Join in on our engaging free session featuring FI mentor Mac Goswami, who is sharing his insights, experience, and guidance about using AI in your #startup. ?? AI can be your most productive best friend, if you know what to use and how to use it. Learn about some of the top tools #startups can use to scale faster, and get funded! ?Bring your questions! And, even if you're calendar is full of meetings or you're on a field trip with your kiddo, register and get the recording. #ai #founderjourney #entrepreneurialmindset https://fi.co/e/367110 ?? Check back for more insightful, knowledge-sharing Quick Takes webinars including #customerdevelopment #differentiation #pitchmastery and #gtm! https://lnkd.in/exwetP7v

Have you heard of Interflexion? No…? ?? ?? Today (2/26) is your lucky day! ?? At 12noon today, join Founder Institute - Keystone's webinar featuring mentor Rich Heckelmann guiding startups through #positioning and reviewing with John Muldoon his approach to this foundational step. ? Did John nail Interflexion's positioning? ?? Register below now to attend live or to get the recording! #founders #entrepreneurs #productmarketing #productmarketfit https://fi.co/e/368175

Founders: apply for free money before the month is over! Here’s a list of 12 equity-free grants with deadlines approaching soon ???? 1. MIT Female Founders Pitch Competition - Amount: varies - Qualifications: Any industry; pre-seed, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eeyDNidf 2. Select Health Awards - Amount: $5K - Qualifications: Non-profit, health equity, health tech, healthcare; pre-seed, early stage nonprofit, growth stage non-profit, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eYujSBAv 3. XSeed Award - Amount: $250K - Qualifications: Life sciences, health/healthcare, health tech; Underrepresented founders; Pre-seed, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e8Nv8rCq 4. Business-to- Business Service Provider Grants - Amount: $500-50K - Qualifications: Any industry; Pre-seed, seed, early stage nonprofit, growth stage nonprofit - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/edcT_de7 5. Mayfield AI Garage at Berkeley - Amount: $25k-50K - Qualifications: Any industry, AI; College student/alumni; Ideation phase, pre-seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eTpQE3Pv 6. Citi Trends Black History Makers grant - Amount: $5K - Qualifications: Any industry; Black founders; Pre-seed, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eFp5D5-5 7. LadderUp accelerator by Shipt - Amount: $5K - Qualifications: Food, nonprofit; Early stage, pre-seed, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eq_KwuBi 8. Sengo Sprint Grant - Amount: $3K - Qualifications: Any industry; BIPOC founders, Black founders, Latinx founders; Pre-seed, seed? - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eiYV9Gxj 9. Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program - Amount: $10K - Qualifications: Any industry; Veterans; Pre-seed seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eRD_nDnN 10. McKinsey & Company Chicago Fast Grants - Amount: $10K - Qualifications: Any industry, nonprofit; Pre-seed, seed, early stage, growth stage? - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eRijVueW 11. O'Shaughnessy Fellowship & Grants - Amount: $10K-100K - Qualifications: Any industry - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eR_N3R7Y 12. Doordash's Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund - Amount: $10K - Qualifications: Restaurant; Pre-seed, seed - Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ePjcBHRn If you’re serious about grants, check out my free Grant Application Tracker! It’ll help you organize deadlines and responses to common questions in one place (all built in Notion) Download the tracker here: https://lnkd.in/eGckBzgx

To all the budding entrepreneurs and founders out there in the Philly area: As a mentor in the Founder Institute - Keystone for several cohorts, I can attest to the positive impact FI has on the founders who participated in their programs. Here are four great online events presented by the Founder Institute Keystone Chapter (supporting PA & NJ). Get insights on key topics just for early-stage founders! Signup now for one or all sessions and experience how FI can support your startup journey! 1 >>> Investor?AMA: How to Make Your Startup Fundable! Feb 25 at 12:00pm, ET?https://FI.co/e/367323 2 >>> Creating a Clear and Compelling Positioning Statement Feb 26 at 12:00pm ET?https://FI.co/e/367321 3 >>> AI for Startups: What to Choose and How to Use It Feb 28 at 11:00am ET,?https://FI.co/e/367110 4 >>> Customer Development: Ask Smarter, Validate Faster Mar 4 at 5:00pm ET?https://FI.co/e/367352 There are more events throughout March too! Check them all out here:?https://lnkd.in/e4kv7tSz #phillytech

Founder Institute - Keystone is hosting Positioning to Differentiate: How to Stand Out & Make an Impact. Make sure to attend it on March 5.

Founder Institute - Keystone is hosting Customer Development: Ask Smarter, Validate Faster. Make sure to attend it on March 4.

Founder Institute - Keystone is hosting AI for Startups: What to Choose and How to Use It . Make sure to attend it on February 28.

Founder Institute - Keystone is hosting Craft Compelling and Clear Positioning for Your Startup. Make sure to attend it today.