We’re proud of our accomplishments over the past year and excited about what’s coming next as we continue to support and serve Pittsburgh entrepreneurs. While it takes a community of committed and dedicated staff, partners, and mentors, it’s our entrepreneurs that drive our work. We continue to listen, innovate, and improve to meet our mission and are excited to accomplish more. Here’s a look back at Ascender’s impact in 2022.
Ascender turned 10 in 2022 and we celebrated celebrating the only way we know how—with a series of activations and events that highlighted the breadth and depth of Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial community.
From craft beverages to health tech and software to entertainment, our Incubator cohorts include local tech startups, small businesses, and social impact models eager to launch, build, and grow.
Raising more than $1.8M in investments, our 2021–2022 Incubator cohort of nine Pittsburgh-based early-stage companies exceeded all goals. In just 12 months, these startup founders demonstrated that ideas can transform into revenue-generating businesses through collaboration, ingenuity, and a solution-focused mindset.
Together, Ascender’s 2021–2022 Incubator cohort initiated 20+ partnerships with organizations that include the City of Pittsburgh and PA Department of Agriculture, added 5 employees and onboarded more than 30 interns, and completed 5 beta tests to turn ideas into fully-launched products and services.
Come with an idea, leave with an actionable plan.
Pre-Incubation Bootcamp is a multi-day intensive program that combines workshops, hands-on business planning, and access to experts to help founders move their businesses forward.
Our business coaches and industry experts have so much to share that we needed more than 48 hours! In 2022, Pre-Incubation Bootcamp was live and in-person for two full weekends of learning, sharing, and collaboration. We also made time to sprinkle in some fun with happy hours and self-care breakout sessions.
By the end of Bootcamp, the 18 Pittsburgh-based companies refined their business ideas, pitched to a panel of community advisors, and connected with other entrepreneurs on similar journeys. Bootcamp is also our way to support more entrepreneurs than we can incubate and get to know the 10 companies that we ultimately invite into our yearlong Incubator.
The newest crew of entrepreneurs building Pittsburgh’s vibrant economic future.
This 2022-2023 Incubator Cohort is on a mission to change how we consume media, make healthcare more accessible, enjoy quality skincare products, and make our city safer and more inclusive. The 10 startups in this year’s program were chosen based on their ability to provide innovative solutions to real-world problems, create a lasting impact in our region, and contribute to the collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem at the center of our mission.
Our free yearlong Incubator provides companies with more than $12,000 in business assistance through in-depth coaching, mentorship, educational programming, access to a network of industry experts, and all the amenities included in Ascender’s membership. Oh, and did we mention that each company is eligible to receive up to $5,000 in equity-free direct funding?
In 2022, we focused on a different theme each month to help entrepreneurs build their businesses.
Explore our monthly themes and discover free workshop recordings, blog posts, tools, and templates.
Here are just a few of our partners working with us to help entrepreneurs thrive.
Space to start. Room to grow.
Ascender membership unlocks access to a community of fellow startup founders and small-business owners to connect with, commiserate over common challenges, celebrate wins, and learn alongside!
Sign up for curated resources, tips, & deadlines for Pittsburgh entrepreneurs.
