Ascender

Ascender Team Social @ Pins Mechanical
2025-03-18 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | 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 | 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 | 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

Bootcamp Day 3
2025-04-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

Bootcamp Day 4: Presentations
2025-05-03 09:00 - 16:00 | Ascender, 6401 Penn Ave 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

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 | 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.
