Industry experts will discuss the state of the accelerator movement and
how established companies in the Pittsburgh area can benefit.
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – July 7, 2014 – The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) will host “What Are Startup Accelerators and Why Established Companies Should Care” on July 16th at AlphaLab Gear in East Liberty.
Startup accelerators cover a wide spectrum of industries, from robotics to food products. They hope to attract talent and technology-based startups to the region, creating a stronger local ecosystem. This event will unveil how startup accelerators will change the innovation landscape, both nationally and in the Pittsburgh area.
Dr. Susan Cohen, co-author of “Accelerating Startups: The Seed Accelerator Phenomenon” will present the keynote address during the July 16th event where she will discuss the state of the accelerator movement across the United States.
Kit Needham, CMU Entrepreneur in Residence at Project Olympus, will add to the presentation by discussing local innovation ecosystem, and where and how accelerators fit. A panel of representatives from established companies who have worked with or mentored startup companies will also discuss their experiences.
"We are privileged to have Dr. Cohen and Ms. Needham share their expertise on startup accelerators at our July event," said Randy Rossi, PDMA Chapter President. "The startup community represents some of the best opportunities for innovation and economic growth in recent years. Making this connection between startups and the broader product development community is central to our Chapter mission."
Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. for registration check-in and networking. The Keynote Speaker will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by accelerator discussions at 6:00 p.m. and a question and answer session at 7:00 p.m.
PDMA is dedicated to sharing knowledge and best practices through professional development, education, collaboration, and networking opportunities. Throughout the year, PDMA Pittsburgh sponsors educational and social events where individuals can develop new skills, learn best practices, and network with peers. Product development professionals, practitioners, academics, service providers, and students are encouraged to participate in PDMA events throughout the year. This results in professional growth for individuals, an innovation-related competitive advantage for their enterprises, and the continued economic growth of the Western Pennsylvania Region.
To learn more about “What Are Startup Accelerators and Why Established Companies Should Care” and other upcoming Pittsburgh Chapter events, log onto www.pdma.org
About PDMA Pittsburgh
The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is a professional association dedicated to improving the effectiveness of individuals and organizations involved with product development, product management, and innovation. The association’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of individuals and organizations in product development and management by providing resources for professional development, information, collaboration and promotion of new product development and management. The Pittsburgh Chapter is dedicated to the continued to growth of a strong network of local product developers and managers while providing leadership to the next generation.
Media contact:
July 7, 2014 Andi Durkota
pghpdma@pdma.org
