Join Trusst Brands for cocktails as they celebrate the launch of their new Pittsburgh Showroom and newest product.

Trusst is a Next Act Fund Portfolio Company!

RSVP

REGISTER NOW

TiE Members: FREE | General Admission: $25 | Students: $10
Become a TiE Pittsburgh Member Today! 25% Off  - Use Code: SpringBreak

With its long history artificial intelligence (AI) research and testing, Pittsburgh is among a handful of cities around the world that are best poised to proactively tackle the challenges of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" and ensure that emerging technologies are developed for society's benefit and sustainability. As a testament to that opportunity, Pittsburgh has engaged in a growing range of local to global partnerships, ranging from the Pittsburgh Innovation District to the UN's AI for Good initiative. This event will feature the experiences, insights, and recommendations of cross-sector experts who spoke at the UN's third annual AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland on May 28-31.

Date: June 20, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: BOSCH | 2555 Smallman Street | Suite 301 | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 

Schedule:
5:30 PM: Networking & Appetizers
6:15 PM: Introductions
6:30 PM: Panel Discussion
7:30 PM: Q & A
7:45 PM: Networking

Moderator:
Kenny Chen:  Innovation Director, Ascender; Founder & City AI Ambassador, Pittsburgh AI

Panelists: 

• Courtney Ehrlichman: CEO, Ehrlichman Group

• Cassie Guerin:  University Partnerships Director, Pittsburgh Innovation District

• Christopher Martin: Director of Research & Development, Bosch

• Ani Martinez: Field Director, Remake Learning Network                                   

Screening Meetings are held at Pittsburgh Technology Council at NOVA Place (100 S Commons #172, Pittsburgh, PA 15212). Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CONFERENCE

This conference will be an inaugural event for the CFA Society of Pittsburgh and will be held on June 17, 2019 from 11:45 – 6:30 PM at Hotel Monaco.

Speaker lineup will include members from the local investment community, academics in the fields of diversity & inclusion and industry leaders outside investment management who will share their successes and challenges in implementing these initiatives. (Yvonne Campos will be among the speakers!)

Audience members will include rising and experienced investment professionals who want to advance their professional development and improve performance outcomes for their businesses by implementing diversity & inclusion initiatives. We are aiming for 100 attendees for this inaugural event. Presentation topics will include building inclusive teams, diversity in the c-suite, sponsorship vs. mentoring, effective allyship, measuring results of DEI initiatives, working with diverse client groups and more.

Location: Pittsburgh Technology Council (100 South Commons, Suite 172, 15260)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).

Member Meetings are held at Nova Place Conference Center (100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212), unless otherwise noted. Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

• 3-4 pm: Educational Session, Guests/Non-Members Invited

• 4-5 pm: Company Pitch, Guests/Non-Members Invited

• 5-6 pm: Members-Only Meeting

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

Location: Clark Hill, PLC (One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., 14th Floor, 15219)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).

PENNSYLVANIA INNOVATION SUMMIT

SHERATON HARRISBURG-HERSHEY

4650 LINDLE ROAD | HARRISBURG, PA 17111

MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019 | 10 AM TO 5:30 PM 
( Registration begins at 9:30 am )

Member Price: $195 | Non-Member Price: $195

The 2019 Pennsylvania Innovation Summit—with abundant and sustainable energy, an educated workforce, and an ideal location for safe movement of people and goods on the roads, air and waterways, Pennsylvania is a state with exciting new innovations across a variety of industries.

In today’s world, innovation, flexibility and creativity are in high demand.   Having employees feel energized to think of innovative ways to solve problems, help customers, save money, invent the next new product or process, is a huge advantage for companies, and can make the difference between whether a company succeeds or not.  All revolutionary innovations begin with that first great idea that solves a business problem, fills a customer need, or even leads to a complete repositioning of a company’s mission.

Employees must feel empowered to innovate “on the fly” and have the confidence that the company supports them.  But freeing up employees to give them the time to think of new ways to improve processes, products, and grow the company can be difficult.  While technology has moved the pace of business to an electrifying speed, employees are juggling so many projects that innovation can take a back seat in many workplaces.  True innovation can lead to new opportunities, new markets, business growth and profitability—so why do some companies struggle to innovate, invent and create? 

You’ll learn firsthand from great companies who are doing great things:

• Jump start the innovative and creative process for your own company, and your employees.

• How these top-notch companies are innovating successfully, what and how they plan for future growth with the innovations they have invented, how they allocate the employees and resources to keep up with their creative process, and best practices they follow to ensure that the innovative spirit is never lost.

• Breakout Sessions help create learning tracks offering specifics that may be of interest to those from a variety of industries, and ensure that you will not have to choose between key topics offered at the same time.  Depending on the industry, environmental directors, HR directors and CEOs will be able to attend the areas that they would find most helpful.

The Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation presents this new event not only to showcase Pennsylvania’s profile as a leader in innovation, but to educate on the latest innovation techniques and practices that presidents, CEOs, top officers, business leaders, environmental and human resources directors in Pennsylvania and surrounding states can take back and begin to use for their companies and communities.

CONNECTING the coasts to the heartland

A day of panels, presentations, competitions, and mentoring designed to cross pollinate Silicon Valley’s expertise and the entrepreneurial energy of the heartland. Link for More Info.

DeYor Performing Arts Center 

260 West Federal Street

Youngstown, OH 44503

The 2nd Annual Innovation Works and Carnegie Mellon University AI & Robotics Venture Fair will be held on
May 16th, 2019 at CMU.

Join Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the #1 ranked computer science school and nationally acclaimed Robotics Institute and Innovation Works, Inc., one of the top seed investors in the country, for a one-day event on May 16, 2019 showcasing the region’s most exciting artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics startups! Participating investors will hear pitches from selected companies that have been vetted by our selection committee. Last year’s event attracted 100+ VCs, corporations, and angel investors from around the country and facilitated dozens of meetings between participating investors and startups.

This event is by invitation for investors only.

Investor Registration

Agenda
May 16, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

8:30 - 9:00 am: Registration & Breakfast

9:00 - 9:30 am: Jim Garrett, Provost & Chief Academic Officer at Carnegie Mellon University Rich Lunak, CEO, Innovation Works, Inc. and Riverfront Ventures, LLC, Managing Director

9:30 - 11:30 am: Company Presentations [~ 24 companies, 5 mins per co]

11:30 am - Noon: Pick up Box Lunches

Noon - 1:00 pm: Panel Discussion: The Direction of AI/RoboticHenny Admoni, PhD, Assistant Professor at CMU in the Robotics Institute and Director of Human & Robot Partners (HARP) Lab.Zico Kolter, PhD, Assistant Professor at CMU and Chief Scientist of AI Research for the Bosch Center of AI.Ruslan “Russ” Salakhutdinov, PhD, Professor at CMU and Apple’s Director of AI Research.Moderator: Professor Raj Rajkumar, Department of Computer Engineering & Director of the GM-CMU Vehicular Information Technology Research Lab

1:15 - 4:00 pm: One-on-One Meetings (Investors: Presenting Companies) and Networking Reception at the Swartz Center

To learn more, visit: www.innovationworks.org/venturefair (password: pittsburgh)

Screening Meetings are held at Pittsburgh Technology Council at NOVA Place (100 S Commons #172, Pittsburgh, PA 15212). Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

Member Meetings are held at Nova Place Conference Center (100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212), unless otherwise noted. Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

• 3-4 pm: Educational Session, Guests/Non-Members Invited
  The Cannabinoid of Everything™
  Investor Insights into the Legal Cannabis Industry: Join us for a presentation on trends and opportunities for investors in the legal cannabis market.  This presentation will provide an overview of the global markets and how it's being divvied up between low cost producers in LATAM, and value-added medical producers across the globe.  The goal of this presentation is for investors to stay ahead of trend and be informed about opportunities and pitfalls. Presenter: Brenda Smith is the Founder of CB Capital Concierge, a boutique capital advisory that brings curated deals to private investors and strategic capital to entrepreneurs in the legal cannabis industry.

• 4-5 pm: Company Pitch, Guests/Non-Members Invited
  Presenting: BabyPage & genneve

• 5-6 pm: Members-Only Meeting

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

DETAILS AT THIS LINK

ANGEL VENTURE FAIR DAY ACTIVITIES

Each company will have a designated table/booth set for the entire day in the grand ballroom. Attendees walk around the exhibit floor throughout the day and meet with the companies. In the morning presentations are given in breakout rooms by non-university exhibitors only. These exhibitors will have a designated time to present and will be away from their table for approximately 15 minutes. Breakfast, lunch and a all day coffee, tea and water station is including for all guests and exhibitors. After lunch, awards are presented, followed by the guest speaker. The Venture Fair is a wonderful opportunity to meet innovative companies, connect with investors, network and learn something new.

7:30 a.m. – Doors open
7:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. – **Attendee check-in, networking, & breakfast
8:00 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. – Welcoming remarks
8:10 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. – All 34 companies give a 30 second pitch in Lincoln Hall
8:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Presentations given by Non-University Companies in breakout rooms; Networking and visiting company booths/tables
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. – David Freschman Award presented
1:10 – 1:15 p.m. – Most Promising University Company award presented
1:15 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. – Keynote Speaker – Brian Cohen, followed by Q&A
2:00 pm. to 2:30 p.m. – All 34 companies give a 30 second pitch in Lincoln Hall
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Networking and visiting company booths/tables
4 p.m. – Event concludes

Location: Pittsburgh Technology Council (100 South Commons, Suite 172, 15260)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).

The next wave of the Internet of Things brings a lot of promise. Smart cities can help solve the concerns citizens face every day, from traffic and public safety to aging infrastructure and utility costs. Hear local and global perspectives about how smart cities are solving some of the biggest challenges for citizens and cities today and what the future could hold.

This is a free event. RSVP here.

Screening Meetings are held at Pittsburgh Technology Council at NOVA Place (100 S Commons #172, Pittsburgh, PA 15212). Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

Location: Clark Hill, PLC (One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., 14th Floor, 15219)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).

Next Act Fund's Angels in the Evening educatonal series will help you explore the areas you should know more about before entering the angel investor world, plus give you a taste of what a pitch looks like. Read about each session below. Click here for more information and to register.

• SESSION 1: Angel Investing 101 
  Jan 15 | 5 - 7pm | AlphaLab Gear: Learn about the fundamentals of angel investing: What exactly is an angel investor? Who wants to be an angel investor? How do I become an angel investor? Session led by Yvonne Campos, President of Next Act Fund...PLUS, example pitches from women entrepreneurs.

• SESSION 2: Art of the Deal
  Apr 9 | 5 - 7pm | AlphaLab Gear: What does an angel investment actually look like? From learning how to identify a great opportunity to investing your money and everything in between. You will learn how to speak the language of angel investing, including: sources of funding, term sheets, screenings, due diligence, and exits. PLUS, example pitches from women entrepreneurs.

• SESSION 3: A Deep Dive into Due Diligence
  Sept 10 | 5 - 7pm | AlphaLab Gear: How does an angel investor look under the hood of a company? Building a balanced team of experts to analyze everything from the product & technology, management team, go-to-market strategy, financial projections, competitive landscape, and exit potential. How to assess the potential for success along with failure risks. PLUS, example pitches from women entrepreneurs.

• SESSION 4: What happens after the check is written?
  Nov 12 | 5 - 7pm | AlphaLab Gear: A look into what to expect after the investment is made. Topics will include: How angels make money from exits, follow-on rounds, how much "dry powder" do you need, when to cut your losses, and managing the angel-entrepreneur relationship. PLUS, example pitches from women entrepreneurs.

Location: Pittsburgh Technology Council (100 South Commons, Suite 172, 15260)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).

Member Meetings are held at Nova Place Conference Center (100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212), unless otherwise noted. Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

• 3-4 pm: Educational Session, Guests/Non-Members Invited

• 4-5 pm: Company Pitch, Guests/Non-Members Invited

• 5-6 pm: Members-Only Meeting

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

50 teams have been selected for the final round of the Randall Family Big Idea Competition and on Thursday, March 21, the winners will be announced! 

When: March 21, 2019, 5 p.m.

Where: Charity Randall Theatre
4301 Forbes Ave, Pitt Main Campus

REGISTER

Come celebrate with us as we give a total of $100,000 to deserving teams with Pitt potential to change the world with their ideas!  

We would also like to sincerely thank the Randall Family, our 2019 sponsors, Pitt partners, and our mentors and judges for helping make this competition possible again this year!  

This Screening Meeting will be held at Catalyst Connection (2000 Technology Dr, Floor 2, Pittsburgh, PA 15219). Members must RSVP via Gust in advance.

Guests/Non-Members must RSVP via this link.

Smart Business is bringing its daylong ASPIRE Conference to Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at The Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown.

ASPIRE is a coming together of top investors, dealmakers and entrepreneurs from the region for a one-day conference focused on identifying and optimizing opportunity in Greater Pittsburgh and beyond. ASPIRE has a dynamic roster of speakers and prominent event partners offering a powerful networking opportunity with the “who’s who” of the local business community.

Reserve your seat today at https://www.aspiredealmakers.com/pittsburgh/.  Use the promo code BLUETREE to receive $100 off your single ticket price.

Breakfast Seminar: Thinking Beyond National Borders – A Discussion with Canada’s Consul General, Phyllis Yaffe

March 20, 2019 
08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Fee : Free, registration required 

Presenter: Phyllis Yaffe, Canada’s Consul General

In this era of rapid globalization, entrepreneurs need to consider how international trade agreements and commerce impact their company’s growth and strategic direction. 

Canada’s Consul General, Phyllis Yaffe, in conversation with Babs Carryer, Innovation Institute, University of Pittsburgh will discuss the need for business leaders to think beyond national borders when developing growth strategy, drawing on her own experience as a corporate leader and as Canada’s representative to Pennsylvania.

Ms. Phyllis Yaffe will also address the specific challenges that women entrepreneurs face and how Canada and the US are working together to ensure that the benefits of international trade extend to all. 

Location : James Laughlin Music Center, Chatham University. Shadyside Campus, Woodland Rd, Pittsburgh PA 15232

EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION: Anne Flynn Schlicht -  412-365-1448 womenbusinesscenter@chatham.edu

Registration: https://www.chatham.edu/wbc/events/details.cfm?eventID=25824

Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs Forum &
Cohen & Grigsby Present: 
From Here To There...
Pittsburgh Robots are Everywhere!

The 4th Annual event will highlight Pittsburgh's longstanding legacy of serving as a critical freight and transportation and goods hub, while discussing the region's innovative robotics advancements being made in the E-commerce, supply chain and logistics industries. More than 150 leaders, students and representatives from Pittsburgh's academic, research, business and investor communities are expected to attend the event, which will also feature interactive demonstrations and a question-and-answer session with the panelists.

General Admission: $25 | Students: $10
Register Now
 
Date:  March 28, 2019
Time:  5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location:  AlphaLab & AlphaLab Gear | 6024 Broad Street | Pittsburgh  15206
Parking: Street

Schedule:

5:30 PM: Networking, Appetizers & Robotics Showcase
6:15 PM: Introductions 
6:25 PM: Special Guest - Howie Choset: Kavčić-Moura CS Professor of Robotics, Carnegie Mellon
6:30 PM: Panel Discussion
7:30 PM: Q & A
7:45 PM: Networking

Moderator:
David Kalson: Director & Chair, Emerging Business + Technology Group, Cohen & Grigsby

Panelists:

• John Bares: President & CEO, Carnegie Robotics

• Jackie Erickson: Founding Member, Pittsburgh Robotics Network

• Alonzo Kelly: Co-Founder, Locomation

• Joel Reed: CEO, IAM Robotics

• Sarjoun Skaff: Co-Founder & CTO, Bossa Nova Robotics

Showcase Companies:

• Agility Robotics

• Bloomfield Robotics

• CleanRobotics

• Gecko Robotics

• Kaarta 

• Nabla Ascent

• Panacea.Ag

• Petoi 

Location: Pittsburgh Technology Council (100 South Commons, Suite 172, 15260)

NAF Members are welcome to attend BlueTree meetings as a non-voting guest. Please RSVP by emailing Rachel McQuiston: mcquistonrf@bluetreecapital.com).