2020 Fall Update
We’ve been hard at work. Check out what Ascender’s been up to.
Pittsburgh’s Community for Entrepreneurs
So much has changed since Ascender was founded, and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. Our mission has always been to help entrepreneurs succeed, and we’ll continue to invest in this goal. To date, more than $7 million has been raised to support startups, 200 founders have participated in our Bootcamp program, and over 80 companies have grown through our Incubation program. The companies we partner with are diverse, representing more than 15 industries, with 50% founded by entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
To remain ahead of the curve, we continue to update, evolve, and expand our values, images, and programming.
Brand refresh
After months of conversations with our members, strategic planning with our team, brainstorming with our board, and research into Pittsburgh’s gaps and opportunities, we refreshed our brand and have proudly recommitted to being Pittsburgh’s Community for Entrepreneurs. Our city has numerous entrepreneurial programs that inspire innovation and invest in small businesses. Our role (and strength) is serving as a hub that supports and connects innovators from diverse backgrounds and industries to the myriad of tools, funding opportunities, and educational opportunities throughout the Pittsburgh region. Our Executive Director, Nadyli Nuñez, believes that Ascender brings together entrepreneurs in the same way that a neighborhood brings together neighbors.
“In a strong community, you don’t hesitate to ask your neighbor for some flour or wave hello when you’re both on the lawn. We aim to create a dynamic and vibrant space for entrepreneurs to collaborate, ask for help, and go through the journey together. On top of that, we also help them find and navigate the information, resources, experts, and programs they need to build their businesses.”
Doubling-down on our role as a hub for innovators in our region, we debuted a new set of core values: Thrive. Collaborate. Belong. Build. These values are what we believe in and guide our work with startups and in the broader entrepreneurial community. We hope that all of our members see themselves in these values and integrate them into their own work.
At the same time, we worked closely with Ascender Incubation alumnus, Built Different, to create a video that anchors our work in the community and message our future plans. Watch the new video below, which proudly showcases a wide-range of Ascender members and friends of our organization.
Programs for all stages and styles
To meet our mission, we strive to enable greater access to free educational programming, provide digital resources and toolkits that can be explored at one’s own pace, and encourage peer-to-peer collaboration.
Like most organizations, we’ve shifted all of our programming online. Moving to Zoom hasn’t slowed us down, and we continue to develop and launch new programs and tools to educate and connect startups and small business owners. Since July, we’ve launched:
- Small Business COVID-19 Toolkit: A collection of videos, articles, and templates to help small businesses navigate COVID-19’s ‘new realities’ and find the right information to make tough decisions.
- 2020–2021 Incubator: A yearlong program helping eight innovative startup founders grow their businesses through in-depth coaching, educational programming, and access to a network of industry experts.
- Real Talk With Founders: A casual, candid conversation with Pittsburgh-based founders guided by questions submitted by attendees.
- Expert Match: An opportunity for early-stage entrepreneurs to be matched directly with industry experts and work through business challenges.
- Founder’s Hat: A small, close-knit gathering where similar stage, cross-industry founders discuss the challenging roles or ‘hats’ they wear under the facilitation of a serial entrepreneur.
- Next Leap: A six-week intensive course for creative businesses to transform a growth idea into an actionable plan delivered in partnership with the Creative Business Accelerator.
- Education Series: A variety of monthly workshops, courses, and networking opportunities that cover the fundamentals of starting, building, and scaling a business.
More than a workspace
Ascender members are committed to the co-creation of an innovative workplace. To support this work, we offer a full calendar of (virtual) programs, happy hours, trivia nights, socials, and learning groups organized exclusively for Ascender Members. We create relationships of substance with our members by providing customized support, getting to know them beyond their work, and recognizing them for more than their company’s valuation.
The pandemic has altered the way we work, but we continue to prioritize entrepreneurs by providing space, a network, and resources. Our space is open, and we’ve been following COVID-19 safety guidelines throughout the crisis to ensure that our members stay healthy and stop the spread. We’ve also expanded our membership to include plans and pricing that meet the current needs of entrepreneurs. Membership plans start at as little as $40/month. If you’re ready to get to work with us, book a virtual tour, and we’ll help you find the plan that best fits your needs.
We have to get back to work, so that’s all for now.
Connect with us
Learn more about Ascender: https://ascenderpgh.com/
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