Office Hours: Growth Strategy – Jim Wrubel
2024-12-11 14:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Jim is an entrepreneurially-minded technology leader ( CTO / VP Engineering / VP Product ) and investor with 20+ years of experience building, launching, and scaling technology businesses, mainly in SaaS, Ecommerce, deep learning (AI & machine learning), ed tech, and cybersecurity. He has two exits as a C-suite executive. He is equally comfortable at the command line and in the boardroom, and as a leader he brings a passion for creating work environments that foster diversity, creativity, learning and growth. Jim holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MS from Carnegie Mellon University. Register Here!
Questions to ask Jim:

I have an idea but I’m not sure if it’s any good. How can I test it without spending a lot of money?
How can I go from 0-1 marketing my business?
How can I find investors, and what should I say when I meet one?
How can AI help me, either in growing my business or controlling costs as I grow?
I’m trying to do X, do you have a recommendation for a low-cost tool I should be using

Office Hours: Intellectual Property - Wei Yu
2024-12-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-09 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-13 13:00 - 16:00 | 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
2024-12-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-11 10:00 - 12:00, 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.

Member Event: Welcome Back Lunch
2025-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Take a break from being back at work and enjoy some delicious food from Aladdin’s with your fellow members and the Ascender team!

RSVP at info@ascenderpgh.com

Monthly Workshop Series: Goal Setting
2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:30 | 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: Legal - Eryn Correa
2025-01-15 13:00 - 15:00 | PA
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.

Snack & Test
2025-01-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Help Us Improve Redd-Up PGH & Support a Fellow Entrepreneur!
Thursday, January 23, from 11 AM – 2 PM
We’re testing Redd-Up PGH’s new customer intake form, and we need YOUR feedback. During the 15-minute sessions, you’ll:
Fill out the form and share your thoughts (what works, what doesn’t, suggestions)
Give your overall feedback on the process
Why should you join?
Snacks—because who doesn’t love snacks?
A FREE Ascender day pass to explore the space and enjoy the community
A FREE 1-hour virtual consultation to help declutter and organize your space.
Book In-Person
Book Virtual

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, 2025-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Valentine’s Day Breakfast
2025-02-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
💌❤️ Celebrate love, connection, and community at Ascender’s Valentine’s Day Breakfast! Join us for a morning filled with delicious treats, warm conversations, and good vibes. 🌸. Let us know if you’re coming by emailing info@ascenderpgh.com.

Monthly Workshop Series: AI for Biz
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Join Us for Our Next Monthly Workshop: AI for Biz with Shea Murtaugh, on March 11th!
Discover how AI can transform your business in this hands-on workshop led by Shea Murtaugh. As technology continues to evolve, staying ahead with AI is essential for growth and innovation. Key Topics Covered:

Understanding the Fundamentals of AI
Identifying Business Use Cases for AI
Developing a Strategy for AI Integration
Enhancing Decision-Making with AI Tools

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical insights and strategies for leveraging AI in your business!

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?

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 | 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 | 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.

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.

Bootcamp Orientation
2025-04-16 18:00 - 20:30 | PA
Let’s get to know you & your business better.

The Ascender team reviews your application and invites you to participate in Pre-Incubation Bootcamp if it stands out.
If invited, mark the dates and make accommodations in preparation for Bootcamp. Pre-Incubation Bootcamp spans two weekends in the spring (April 16, 25-27, and May 3, 2025).
Participate in a free multi-day, in-person experience where teams walk away with a refined business plan and action plan for their companies. Full participation is required to be considered for incubation.

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

Bootcamp Day 1
2025-04-25 17:30 - 20:30 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
PRE-INCUBATION BOOTCAMP:
Let’s get to know you & your business better.

The Ascender team reviews your application and invites you to participate in Pre-Incubation Bootcamp if it stands out.
Participate in a free multi-day, in-person experience where teams walk away with a refined business plan and action plan for their companies. Full participation is required to be considered for incubation.

Bootcamp Day 2
2025-04-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
