Monthly Workshop Series: Goal Setting
2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
In this workshop you will learn:

A new approach to developing vision and strategy, specifically for start-up and scaling entrepreneurs.
Identify strategic goals and align them with your vision.
Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Featuring LaToya Johnson-Rainey, a creative business specialist.
REGISTER HERE

Office Hours: Human Resources - Ginny Nemchick
2025-02-11 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.

Monthly Workshop Series: SEO Basics
2025-02-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Learn how important SEO is to making your business successful and bringing in new clients. RSVP with Diondre at diondre@ascenderpgh.com

Office Hours: Legal - Eryn Correa
2025-02-12 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.

Pi Day Event
2025-03-13 12:30 - 13:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
We will be holding a contest for the best pie on Pi Day Eve. Bring a pie to the kitchen and vote for your favorite – the winner will bring home a trophy. Let us know if you’re coming by emailing info@ascenderpgh.com.

Ascender Team Social @ Pins Mechanical
2025-03-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Pins Mechanical, 407 Cinema Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, United States
Join the Ascender team at PINS Mechanical in the Southside and help us welcome our new employees atiya and Annafi with an evening of games and good company. Challenge the team to duckpin bowling, pinball, and classic arcade games, or explore two floors of fun with ping-pong, bocce, foosball, bubble hockey, and Skee-Ball. Ascender will bring snacks and cover your first beverage—come ready to play and celebrate!

Plant Day Happy Hour
2025-04-01 16:00 - 18:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us in the event space for snacks, drinks, and a little plant therapy! 🌱 Thanks to Grow PGH, we’ll have herb seedlings ready for you to repot and take home—a perfect way to bring some greenery into your space. Have a plant at home that needs a refresh? Bring it along and give fresh soil while you hang out with the team. Whether you’re a plant pro or just getting started, come relax, repot, and enjoy good company!

HR with Ginny Nemchick
2025-04-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Need help with job descriptions, equitable hiring, or management tips? Ginny’s got you. Use this link to schedule a session with Ginny.

Monthly Workshop Series
2025-04-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for our Monthly Workshop Series!
How to Attract Angel Investors with Annafi Wahed
Meeting and pitching investors is HARD. In this workshop, we’ll learn:

How to network strategically
How to pitch yourself
How to follow up after meeting a potential investor
How to get to yes

Register Here

Legal with Eryn Correa
2025-04-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-07 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-04 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-13 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.

Spring Walk & Ice Cream
2025-05-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Take a break from work and enjoy the spring weather with a walk around the neighborhood and Mellon Park, ending at Jeni’s in Bakery Square for a scoop of ice cream on Ascender. If the weather is rotten, we’ll skip the walk and go straight for the ice cream. We’ll take off from the flex lounge at 2pm.

Intern Welcome Lunch
2025-06-04 12:30 - 14:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Onboarding an intern this summer? Or are you an intern? Come meet the other interns and host sites that will be a part of the Ascender community this summer and let us feed you. RSVP by Thursday, May 22nd here or via email at info@ascenderpgh.com if you or your intern are planning on attending and let us know if you have any allergies or restrictions we should know of.

Coach Donald: Strategic Planning Office Hours
2025-07-17 10:30 - 12:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Strategic Thinking w/ AI
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.

Pictionary Happy Hour
2025-07-24 16:30 - 18:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Come play Pictionary on the big whiteboard with the Ascender team and your fellow members. There will be drinks and mocktails to sip and snacks to munch on!

East End Brewing Happy Hour
2025-08-21 17:00 - 18:30 | East End Brewing, 147 Julius St, Pittsburgh, PA, PA, 15206, United States
Come hang out with fellow members at East End Brewing—first round’s on Ascender!

People and Culture Office Hours with Ginny Nemchick
2025-08-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Annual Ascender Member Picnic
2025-09-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Melon Spray Park
Join us at the pavilion by Mellon Spray Park on Tuesday, September 16, from 5–7 p.m. We’ll provide food, drinks, music, and games—but feel free to bring a dessert or snack to share. Please RSVP by September 3 via Slack or by emailing Sam at info@ascenderpgh.com, and let us know of any dietary restrictions.

Legal Office Hours with Eryn Correa
2025-09-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Mario Kart Tournament and Happy Hour
2025-10-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Missed the member picnic? Don’t worry—we have another member event right around the corner! Join us in the event space to race against your fellow members on the big screen. The winner takes home a trophy!

Member’s Spooky Breakfast
2025-10-28 09:00 - 10:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
We’ll have both healthy and unhealthy options for those who want to indulge and some spooky movies on the projector all morning. Costumes not required, but wouldn’t it be fun if you wore one?
RSVP w/ Sam

Member Potluck
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join us for our annual Fall Potluck in the Flex Lounge! We’ll provide the entrée, but feel free to wow us with your best sides, appetizers, or desserts.
Please RSVP by emailing info@ascenderpgh.com and let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions.

Mid-point Presentations: Members Only
2025-11-18 17:00 - 20:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Hey members! You may already know, Ascender’s Incubator is a year-long coaching program designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs develop strong strategies and build the confidence to move forward from idea to launch. The program hosts an annual Mid-Point Presentation, where participating companies present their businesses to panelists, receive real-time feedback, and showcase their progress.
You’ll hear from 11 companies as they deliver their presentations, followed by feedback and Q&A. If you’re interested and can join us, please email Ummey@ascenderpgh.com by Monday November 10, 2025.

📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 from: 5:15 PM – 8pm | optional dinner available at 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Ascender – 6401 Penn Ave, 3rd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
👶 Childcare: No childcare will be provided.

Member Holiday Party
2025-12-04 17:30 - 20:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
We’re closing out 2025 the best way we know how—by celebrating YOU and our entire community of entrepreneurs! Now let’s have some fun!
