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Pittsburgh is a great place to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to are not aware of the local resources that are available to help them.

With applications for the Pittsburgh Founder Institute now open, we are excited to release the Pittsburgh Startup Ecosystem Canvas, which has been updated to v4 below! It was developed by the Pittsburgh Founder Institute and local leaders David CernigliaGreg Coticchia, Pitt Admin, Randy Eager 

This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list.  

Are you looking to build a startup in Pittsburgh? Then apply to the Pittsburgh Founder Institute today!

The links are also listed below, for searchability.

Startup Stages


There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.

1. Idea Stage

This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.

A. Inspire

            B. Educate

            C. Validate

            2. Launch Stage

            In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.

            A. Start

                                                  B. Develop


                                                  C. Launch

                                                  3. Growth Stage

                                                  Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.

                                                  A. Recognition 

                                                  B. Funding

                                                  C. Growth

                                                                                    D. Success Stories

                                                                                    Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.

                                                                                    1. 4moms
                                                                                    2. Activaided
                                                                                    3. Argo AI
                                                                                    4. ATRP Solutions
                                                                                    5. Aurora Innovation
                                                                                    6. Avere Systems
                                                                                    7. Bellefield Systems 
                                                                                    8. Bizowie
                                                                                    9. Black Locus
                                                                                    10. DesignAdvance
                                                                                    11. DiamondKinetics
                                                                                    12. Duolingo
                                                                                    13. Dynamics Inc.
                                                                                    14. ebillinghub
                                                                                    15. EquityNet
                                                                                    16. Expii
                                                                                    17. Forest Devices
                                                                                    18. FOREVER
                                                                                    19. Gridwise
                                                                                    20. Helomics
                                                                                    21. Hibersense
                                                                                    22. Hyliion
                                                                                    23. Interphase Materials
                                                                                    24. Industry Weapon 
                                                                                    25. JazzHR
                                                                                    26. Jetpack Workflow
                                                                                    27. LearnBop
                                                                                    28. LegalSifter
                                                                                    29. LendingHome
                                                                                    30. M*Modal
                                                                                    31. Malcovery Security
                                                                                    32. Matrix Solutions
                                                                                    33. Module Housing
                                                                                    34. Net Health Systems, Inc.
                                                                                    35. Nowait
                                                                                    36. Panopto
                                                                                    37. ProofPoint - previously Wombat Security
                                                                                    38. ReCaptcha
                                                                                    39. Rijuven
                                                                                    40. Seegrid
                                                                                    41. Shoefitr
                                                                                    42. ShowClix
                                                                                    43. Skyword
                                                                                    44. Wombat Security


                                                                                    Supporters


                                                                                    To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.

                                                                                    1. Evangelists

                                                                                    Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.  (i.e. Local leaders who have taken a leadership position, speak at a lot of startup events, mentor all the programs, etc. )

                                                                                    1. Adam Paulisick
                                                                                    2. Andy Chan
                                                                                    3. Andy Hannah
                                                                                    4. Annia Aleman
                                                                                    5. Babs Carryer
                                                                                    6. Barry Rabkin
                                                                                    7. Ben Utter
                                                                                    8. Ben Wilson
                                                                                    9. Bobby Zappala
                                                                                    10. Brad Frost
                                                                                    11. Brian Finamore
                                                                                    12. Catherine Mott
                                                                                    13. Craig Markovitz
                                                                                    14. Dave Nelsen
                                                                                    15. David Cristello
                                                                                    16. Don Charlton
                                                                                    17. Don Morrison
                                                                                    18. Dr. Rasu Shrestha
                                                                                    19. Greg Coticchia
                                                                                    20. Henry Thorne
                                                                                    21. Ilana Diamond
                                                                                    22. Jeff Dereume
                                                                                    23. Jennifer Wilhelm
                                                                                    24. Jim Jen
                                                                                    25. John Dick
                                                                                    26. John Quayle 
                                                                                    27. Josh Lucas 
                                                                                    28. Justin Reese  
                                                                                    29. Kannu Sahni
                                                                                    30. Kelauni Cook
                                                                                    31. Kevin Dowling
                                                                                    32. Kit Mueller
                                                                                    33. Kit Needham
                                                                                    34. Linda Handley
                                                                                    35. Lynn Banaszak
                                                                                    36. Mark DeSantis
                                                                                    37. Marta Dalton
                                                                                    38. Mary Del Brady
                                                                                    39. Melanie Querry
                                                                                    40. Mike Capsambelis
                                                                                    41. Olga Pogoda
                                                                                    42. Prashant Ambe 
                                                                                    43. Randy Eager
                                                                                    44. Ray Milhem
                                                                                    45. Rich Lunak
                                                                                    46. Robb Myer
                                                                                    47. Ryan Gayman
                                                                                    48. Sean Ammirati
                                                                                    49. Suzy Teele
                                                                                    50. Zachary Swetz 
                                                                                    51. Glenn Watson


                                                                                    2. Government/Non-profits

                                                                                    Public organizations that facilitate local economic development

                                                                                    1. Allegheny Conference
                                                                                    2. Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute
                                                                                    3. City of Pittsburgh Department of Innovation & Performance
                                                                                    4. Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
                                                                                    5. Inclusive Innovation PGH
                                                                                    6. Innovation PGH
                                                                                    7. P4 Pittsburgh
                                                                                    8. PGH Lab
                                                                                    9. Southwestern PA Veteran's Chamber of Commerce
                                                                                    10. Sustainable PittsburghThe Pittsburgh EcoInnovation District: Uptown and Oakland
                                                                                    11. Urban Innovation21

                                                                                    3. Talent

                                                                                    Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                          *  *  *

                                                                                                          Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Pittsburgh Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a DRAFT, and more input is needed!)

                                                                                                          Are you looking to build a startup in Pittsburgh? Then apply to the Pittsburgh Founder Institute today!

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