Ascender

Office Hours: Intellectual Property - Wei Yu
2025-02-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-13 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join us for Office Hours at Ascender with Wei Yu, an Intellectual Property Attorney. Wei will be offering FREE 30-minute sessions for an informal Q&A. Use this link to schedule a session with Wei.

Office Hours: Human Resources - Ginny Nemchick
2025-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join us for Office Hours at Ascender with HR Consultant, Ginny Nemchick. Ginny will be offering FREE 30-minute sessions. Ask Ginny questions about building your team and crafting accurate job descriptions, equitable hiring practices, designing equitable compensation policies, understanding management techniques, and creating inclusive policies and practices to foster a positive workplace culture. Use this link to schedule a session with Ginny.

Office Hours: Legal - Eryn Correa
2025-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Please join us for Office Hours at Ascender with Attorney Eryn Correa. Eryn will be offering FREE 30-minute sessions. Ask Eryn questions about formation, founder/employee equity, and fundraising! Use this link to schedule a session with Eryn.

Info Session
2025-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Incubation Program!
Are you an entrepreneur looking for support, funding, and resources to take your business to the next level? Join us for an info session where we’ll dive into the details of our Incubation Program. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about eligibility, and understand how these programs can help you grow.
What You’ll Learn:
🔹 Incubation Program Benefits.
🔹 Who’s Eligible for Incubation?

AI & Law with Wei Yu
2025-04-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Navigating legal stuff in the AI era Book a FREE 30-minute session with Wei, an Intellectual Property Attorney. Use this link to schedule a session with Wei.

Ascender Workshop: What do new tariffs mean for your business?
2025-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby is working with us to put this workshop together and is sending over its 4 best.If your business deals with importing or exporting goods, understanding tariffs is key to saving money and staying compliant. This workshop breaks down the often-confusing world of tariffs into clear, practical insights so you can avoid unexpected costs, reduce delays, and make smarter business decisions.
Speakers: Susanne Cook, Bruce Chiu, Wei Yu, Megan Finkelstein
What We’ll Cover:

Tariff Basics, Explained Simply
Import & Export Must-Knows
Tariff Laws in Key Markets (Canada, China, Mexico)
Recent Changes & What They Mean for You – Stay ahead of shifting regulations and trade agreements.

Who Should Attend?
Business owners, logistics managers, and anyone who imports, exports, or plans to expand internationally. If you’ve ever been surprised by a customs bill or worried about compliance, this workshop is for you!
By the end of this session, you’ll have practical strategies to manage tariffs smartly, helping you protect your bottom line and grow your business with confidence.
🍢🥂 FREE FOOD & DRINKS
Enjoy refreshing beverages and light bites while learning how the new tariff laws can benefit you, and connecting with other business owners, coworking members, and community leaders.
💻 🪑SPEND THE WHOLE DAY WITH US!
Join us before the workshop for a Coworking Day from 9:30 AM – 5 PM.
REGISTER HERE

Snack & Test (One Blue Planet)
2025-05-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for an exclusive preview of our One Blue Planet app! We’re testing the graphics, user flow, and features like the Green Score, data display, and personalized insights. If data-curious, and love using smart tools or tracking apps in your daily life, we’d love your feedback to help shape the future of our app.
Participants can choose one of the following rewards:

A tree planted in their name
Co-adoption of a bird
$10 cash for the co-op

Also free Ascender day pass & snacks for in-person attendees.
REGISTER HERE

Technology & Law with Wei Yu
2025-05-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Inbox Zero Day
2025-05-09 09:30 - 11:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
It’s not just an inbox — it’s a holding zone for guilt, delay, and everything you meant to do weeks ago. Inbox Zero Day is your dedicated time to clear the decks, breathe easier, and step back into your work with clarity.

Strategic Thinking w/ AI
2025-05-20 12:30 - 14:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
You know you need to work on your business, but it’s hard to slow down and actually think. In these office hours, we’ll use ChatGPT and live coaching to untangle a challenge you’ve been stuck on. You’ll walk away with a clearer next step—and a tool you can keep using to spark insight, lower mental resistance, and create breakthroughs more often.

Hosting an Internship
2025-05-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Hosting interns can be exciting—but also overwhelming. Between unclear expectations, limited time to train, and stalled projects, the experience doesn’t always go as planned. In this candid, interactive session, we’ll talk through the messy middle of managing interns and crowdsource practical strategies to make the process smoother, more productive, and actually beneficial for everyone involved.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you’re prepping for your first intern or a seasoned mentor looking to sharpen your approach, join us to learn (and share) what really works.
REGISTER HERE!

Voices of Business Speaker Series: Let’s Talk AI and Websites
2025-06-17 09:30 - 11:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join entrepreneurs Tori Mistick, founder of Wear Wag Repeat, and Meesha Gerhart, founder of RedTree Web Design, for a real-world conversation on how generative AI and websites can work together to improve the user experience and website performance. From strategic insights to personal stories, you’ll learn how business owners use AI to clarify their brand, improve content, analyze user data, and make their websites more accessible and work harder, without having a technology background.
REGISTER HERE!
Free For Ascender Members with the code provided on our latest Member newsletter or message us!

Thoughts From an Angel (Investor)
2025-07-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Ascender for an insightful discussion on navigating the world of angel investing. Hear from Derrick L. Maultsby Jr., a corporate attorney and business advisor with deep expertise in venture-backed startups and high-growth industries, and Wolf Starr, a champion for underrepresented founders and architect of impact-driven venture funds. Together, they’ll explore what angel investors are really looking for, how to find the right fit for your business, and how to build lasting investor relationships that fuel growth.Who Should Attend:

Early-stage entrepreneurs exploring funding options
Founders seeking angel investment to grow their business
Underrepresented or overlooked founders looking for equitable access to capital
Small business owners preparing to scale
Startup teams building investor-ready strategies
Aspiring founders curious about the fundraising landscape
Business advisors and support organizations assisting startups
Anyone interested in learning how to align with the right investors

🍢🥂 FREE FOOD & DRINKS
Enjoy refreshing beverages and light bites while learning and connecting with other business owners, coworking members, and community leaders.

Snack & Test with Korion Health
2025-07-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Come help an Ascender Incubator Alumni. Korion Health is testing the user experience of navigating a respiratory session via its mobile app, and any friction points that arise when holding a stethoscope while using the app.
📅 Thursday, July 10
🕛 11 AM – 1 PM
💳 $20 Amazon gift card or donation to Birmingham Free Clinic
All ages + backgrounds welcome!

Fogo De Chao: Networking Happy Hour
2025-07-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Fogo de Chao, 525 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Join us for a Networking Happy Hour in Partnership with
ALPFA, Ascender, Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Latinas en PGH, Three Rivers Business Alliance
Fogo de Chao on July 16th, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Members: $15
Non-Members: $20
Network and mingle while enjoying all the flavors of Brazil in a more casual atmosphere. Unwind with friends over craft cocktails and carefully selected wines. Attendees will enjoy Brazilian-inspired appetizers.

Product Strategy Office Hours with Mike Capsambelis
2025-07-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-15 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Book a FREE 30-minute session with Mike, Director, Product Management, Google.

Mastering Customer Discovery: Qualifiers & Questions That Drive Sales
2025-08-19 18:00 - 19:30 | PA
Join Ascender and our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Tammy Szijarto,for a virtual workshop that will level up your customer discovery game. Learn how to better identify, understand, and connect with your target audience through smarter questions and sharper insights.
Who Should Attend:

Early-stage entrepreneurs
Small business owners
Aspring founders
Sales and marketing leads
Founders refining product-market fit
Anyone conducting user research or customer interviews

Anyone interested in learning how to align with the right investors

Our workshop concludes with our monthly Founder’s Circle, where founders answer two questions:

What do you need?
What’s a recent win?

🎟️ 🎟️ GRAB YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Strategic Planning Office Hours with Coach Donald
2025-08-21 09:00 - 17:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Whether you’re preparing for a big decision, rethinking your business model, or just trying to get unstuck, these office hours are designed to meet you where you are. Bring your business challenges—big or small—and walk away with clarity, a sharper path forward, and tools you can reuse.
Register Here!

Monthly Workshop Series: Obtaining Warm Introductions to Potential Sales Leads
2025-09-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Ascender for a hands-on session on how to turn your network into real sales opportunities. Hear from Ascender’s Entrepreneur Success Manager, Donald Robinson.

We’ll cover practical strategies for identifying the right people you need to reach, mapping your current connections, and building a follow-up cadence that works—whether by email, phone, or in person. You’ll also learn how to balance tactics like outreach and lead generation with strategies that position you as a thought leader, attracting prospects through content, consultations, and industry presence.
Finally, we’ll break down the best channels for different types of businesses.

Who Should Attend:

Founders and small business owners looking to grow their customer base
Entrepreneurs ready to refine their sales and networking strategies
Service providers eager to build credibility and attract inbound leads
Startup teams exploring the most effective sales channels for their industry
Professionals wanting to strengthen their business development approach
Business advisors and support organizations assisting client growth

🍢🥂 FREE FOOD & DRINKS
Enjoy refreshing beverages and light bites while learning and connecting with other business owners, coworking members, and community leaders.

💻 🪑SPEND THE WHOLE DAY WITH US!
Join us before the workshop for a Coworking Day from 9:30 AM – 5 PM.
REGISTER HERE

Latine Mini Grant Application Info Session
2025-09-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Us for our Latine Mini-Grant Info Session!
Are you a Latine entrepreneur ready to access funding and resources to fuel your business? Join us for an info session where we’ll walk you through the details of the Latine Mini-Grant Application. This is your chance to ask questions, learn about eligibility, and understand how this grant can support your growth.

What You’ll Learn:
🔹 How the Latine Mini-Grant works
🔹 Who’s eligible to apply
🔹 Tips for submitting a strong application
🔹 How funding will be distributed to recipients
Register Here

Executive Coaching & Business Strategy Office Hours with Erin Bestic
2025-09-17 10:00 - 13:00 | PA
Bring your toughest business challenges, half-baked ideas, and “we need this done yesterday” problems. In these candid, action-focused sessions, you’ll get practical, no-fluff guidance from Erin Bestic, a strategist who’s led billion-dollar sales portfolios, overhauled operations, and coached leaders at every stage of growth.
Book your Free 30-Minutes

Legal Office Hours with Eryn Correa
2025-09-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Got questions about formation, equity, or fundraising? Eryn’s your person. Use this link to schedule a session with Eryn.

Tech & Law Office Hours with Wei Yu
2025-09-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Ascender's Big Burrito Benefit Dinner at Soba
2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Soba, 5847 Ellsworth Ave, pittsburgh, PA, 15232, United States
Join Ascender at Soba, a cozy neighborhood Asian fusion spot, for an evening of conversation and community as we share dinner and celebrate our mission to empower Pittsburgh’s founders. Guests will enjoy unique dinner and beverage pairings while hearing about the vision of Ascender’s entrepreneur hub and the future of Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Seating is limited to 25 for this intimate evening.
The restaurant and lounge are located in a richly appointed brick Shadyside rowhouse. With its cascading waterfall, glass staircase, and hand-painted murals, this beautiful space draws guests into plush comfort and a gentle mystery. Please note that dinner takes place in an intimate upstairs dining room, and due to its architecture, Soba does not have an elevator.
RSVP HERE
