The First Steps Toward Commercialization: IP and Funding

Welcome to Week 16: π0.7: A Steerable Generalist Robotic Foundation Model Join us at CASI for discussion at 8 pm, and (optional) quiet reading from 7 pm. 📖 Reading Recommendations, Questions, or Comments? Contact us here! 🔎 View past meeting notes here. What's this? A super warm group of folks discussing their favorite topics! In the first half, we host an optional quiet reading space In the second half, we have a discussion where people can talk about what they found interesting about the reading and ask questions about things they didn't understand When/Where: CMU AI Safety Initiative's Office, 201 Craig Street, right across the PNC bank. Look for the open door up the stairs. 8pm discussion, 7pm optional quiet reading time. Here's how it usually goes: 7:00 PM — arrival and settling in 8:00 PM — introductions 8:10 PM — discussion time 9:00 PM — wrap up then open discussion Who's it for? People who've been wanting to read up on the latest papers in ML and other fields but just haven't been able to find the time/motivation. Why: We've been procrastinating too much on our readings, even though we have so much fun doing them. We know we're not alone in this and want to keep others accountable for learning more about what they're passionate about! We've also met a ton of really fun friends by discussing what we care about! Rules/guidelines on how to act: Act like a host, include people in conversations, talk to people even if they're strangers, offer to explain what you know, and keep an open mind! come to read stuff and find super fun friends :) Bring snacks if you're feeling kind!

EXPlore Pittsburgh Tech Week does not begin with a keynote speaker on a stage. It begins with a conversation - one that puts Pittsburgh's tech, corporate, and civic leaders in the same room and asks the question that matters most right now: what does it actually mean to build a city where technology works for everyone? Kick off Pittsburgh Tech Week with Accenture as leaders from business, technology, academia, government, and the broader innovation community come together to explore the future of technology, talent, and transformation in Pittsburgh. The evening will feature an executive panel discussion followed by a networking reception designed to foster meaningful connections across the region's innovation ecosystem. Moderated by Albrecht Powell, Office Managing Director, Accenture Pittsburgh. This event is by invite/approval only. If you are interested in attending, submit a registration request and our team will follow up. Thursday, September 10, 2026 4:00PM -7:00PM By Approval Only techweekpittsburgh.com | #PittsburghTechWeek

How many startups does Pittsburgh have? How much venture capital flowed into Pittsburgh last year — and where did it go? Who's building in Pittsburgh that nobody's talking about yet? Join ecosystem builders and partners in Pittsburgh as we prepare for StartUp PGH 2026. This session will provide an analysis of the startup landscape in Pittsburgh via data provided by Dealroom and roundtables of ecosystem builders. Roundtable participants include Ven Raju, Lindsay Fairman, Megan Shaw, Meredith Grelli, Charles Mansfield, Audrey Russo. Join us during lunch for an overview - leave with stats, talking points you can use throughout the week, and access to Pittsburgh's startup dashboard. Lunch is generously provided in partnership with UPMC Enterprises. StartUp PGH is a multiday celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and frontier tech. The diverse line up of events will highlight founders from all stages, researchers, and community partners across our entire ecosystem including AI, Cybersecurity, Energy, Life Sciences, Robotics and more.

Join InnovatePGH and Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP for an in-person informative session about navigating visa pathways as an entrepreneur. This session will feature guidelines on appropriate temporary work visas and permanent-residence pathways for immigrant founders, as well as an explanation of which preliminary startup activities can and cannot take place before you have visa sponsorship in place. It will include both a presentation and a question-and-answer session. Whether you are a current student on an F-1 visa, a recent graduate on OPT, a faculty or staff member advising international students, or otherwise interested in learning about visa options for entrepreneurs, this session is a great opportunity to learn more.

Speed Dating with VCs Two hours, one room, and every founder in the incoming Foundry cohort. The night opens with a short panel on Foundry and what this cohort is building. The full incoming lineup gets introduced up front, so every investor in the room sees everyone before conversations start. At 6:30 the room breaks into 10 to 15 tables across the Swartz Center, each staffed by a VC. Founders rotate table to table with 3 to 5 minutes each to introduce themselves and pitch. Most of the cohort meets most of the room in a single sitting. Run of show 6:00 PM · Panel and cohort introduction 6:30 PM · Speed dating rounds 8:00 PM · Close and matching form What happens after Before anyone leaves the room, founders and investors both fill out a short form naming who they want to meet again. Where the interest runs both ways, Foundry sets up a group dinner around the match and schedules it within the same week, so nothing goes cold.