{"id":797962,"date":"2026-05-15T10:29:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/797962\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:29:33","slug":"inside-philly-tech-week-2026s-biggest-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/797962\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Philly Tech Week 2026\u2019s biggest moments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Only during Philly Tech Week can you start the day attending a panel about workforce trends and end it by playing a game of Tetris on the side of a skyscraper.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Those activities were just a few of the nearly 100 events on the community calendar during Philly Tech Week (PTW) 2026, more than double the number of gatherings hosted during last year\u2019s 15th anniversary celebration<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cPeople are not just talking about what Philadelphia could be. They are building it, right now, in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kirsten King, Pennovation<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The lineup included conferences dedicated to startup resources, pitch competitions, hackathons, an AI summit, workforce development panels, meetups and, of course, a revival of the world\u2019s largest video game<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Danae Mobley, executive director of PTW organizer 1Philadelphia<\/a>, the week left her feeling \u201chopeful and excited\u201d about what\u2019s to come for the ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the motivation behind PTW has always been to bring the region together, this year felt more energized than the past few, organizers told Technical.ly. It spotlighted the things that Philly tech does best \u2014 collaboration, community and accessibility.<\/p>\n

The work doesn\u2019t end here, they say. Now, innovation stakeholders need to take that momentum and scale.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our breakthrough year as a tech ecosystem,\u201d Tempest Carter, director of business development and strategic technology initiatives for the City of Philadelphia<\/a>, told Technical.ly. \u201cNationally, people are grappling with the harms of tech and I love that Philly is stepping up to showcase that tech can be impactful and helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look inside more than a dozen get-togethers you may have missed during PTW 2026.<\/p>\n

Better together<\/p>\n

Orgs across sectors opted to partner with each other for many of this year\u2019s events.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An all-inclusive AI Summit<\/p>\n

For the first time, Pennovation partnered with Philly AI Connect, Code & Coffee<\/a>, PhilaCon Valley, Philly Tech Council, VetsinTech, Penn Vet, AgriGates<\/a>, Philly Tech & AI Alliance, and m2i to put on the day-long \u200b(Co)nnect: Philly\u2019s AI Summit. The conference convened founders, researchers, investors and other stakeholders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we got out of it was confirmation,\u201d Kirsten King, Pennovation associate director of engagement and experience, said. \u201cThe talent is here, the capital is here, and the hunger is absolutely here. People are not just talking about what Philadelphia could be. They are building it, right now, in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FivePennovation and other partners hosted the first AI Ecosystem Summit (Courtesy Andrew Maza)<\/p>\n

Founders meet investors<\/p>\n

PACT<\/a> partnered with law firm Cozen O\u2019Connor to host its Startup Sprint. Selected entrepreneurs had the chance to pitch to investors privately, and scored to decide who moves on to the next round. The top three then made their case in front of the room to win a slot at PACT\u2019s Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference in the fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event itself was an opportunity for business owners to connect with each other and investors, membership coordinator Tori Chamberlain said.<\/p>\n

Tech and talent mixer for young people<\/p>\n

We Love Philly, Launchpad Philly<\/a>, the Urban Technology Project<\/a> and Hopeworks<\/a> hosted a networking and cybersecurity workshop for professionals across their programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching those young people find each other, swap contact info and start forming their own community right in front of me was something I won\u2019t forget,\u201d Dannyelle Austin, executive director of Launchpad Philly, said. \u201cThat\u2019s not networking in the traditional sense. That\u2019s peer power.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ALaunchpad, Hopeworks and others hosted a mixer for young people in tech. (Courtesy Launchpad)<\/p>\n

High school seniors attend Tech Career Discovery Day<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA week full of welcome, kindness, learning and connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joshua Park, Per Scholas<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Per Scholas Philadelphia<\/a> showed off in-demand jobs to high school seniors and recent graduates from Heights Philadelphia, Launchpad Philly, Philadelphia Academies and We Love Philly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Students had a chance to network with technologists, practice interviewing and learn about tech careers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt perfectly reflected my experience during Philly Tech Week 2026,\u201d managing director Joshua Park said. \u201cA week full of welcome, kindness, learning and connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Real-world impact through online games<\/p>\n

Nerd Street<\/a>\u2019s event featured gaming and discussions around how experiences in virtual spaces can change people\u2019s real lives, Jumaani Haskins, operations lead at Nerd Street, said. The org also partnered with Hands of Woodstock, a North Philadelphia nonprofit, for the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud to be a part of the greater Philly tech community and we are so excited to see all the great work that\u2019s being done under the tech umbrella and across industries in the city,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"SeveralNerd Street welcomed the community into its gaming space for PTW (Courtesy Nerd Street)<\/p>\n

A spotlight on internet access<\/p>\n

In an effort to spread awareness about the region\u2019s digital equity scene, the Technology Learning Collaborative (TLC)<\/a> worked with Philly Community Wireless<\/a> and Tech Impact<\/a> to discuss internet access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were excited to see so many new faces from the tech community in Philly come out to learn more about the role of nonprofits in expanding internet access in the city,\u201d David Cooper Moore from TLC said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ATLC, Philly Community Wireless and Tech Impact partnered for an event about internet access (Courtesy TLC)<\/p>\n

Spaces for connection<\/p>\n

Many of the events in this year\u2019s lineup focused on creating room for attendees to build meaningful networks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A national spotlight<\/p>\n

Technical.ly hosted its annual Builders Conference, bringing together economic development leaders, founders and technologists from 35 states. Dozens of sessions<\/a> focused on AI, fundraising and more happened across two days.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take a hike<\/p>\n

Helen Horstmann-Allen, Lindsay Tabas and Wale Olaleye organized a Tech Walk, leading attendees up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to meet new people and see local sights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always host our Tech Walk on Monday, so newcomers have an easy way to meet folks heading into all their other events,\u201d Horstmann-Allen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From idea to IP<\/p>\n

Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC)<\/a> kicked off the week with IP to Impact, a summit for entrepreneurs and researchers to learn how they can take their IP to the market. The sessions fostered connection and opportunity, according to Hope Acquaye, assistant director of programs and partnerships.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy was strong, the conversations were real, and it\u2019s exciting to see how collaborative and supportive the Philly tech ecosystem continues to be,\u201d Acquaye said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ACIC hosted the IP to Impact Summit (Sarah Huffman\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n

Connecting Black STEM professionals<\/p>\n

Camille Smith, founder of STEM So(ul)cial, hosted a meetup for Black professionals in STEM during the week. She runs events regularly, but wanted to get involved in the momentum of PTW, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially with the current job market, I think it\u2019s very important for early- to mid-career professionals to really be able to network across, as opposed to just networking up,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ASTEM So(ul)cial brought together Black STEM professionals (Sarah Huffman\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n

A space for women founders<\/p>\n

Local startup leaders Meredith Tretiak and Trish Golderer organized a brunch for women founders and investors with the intention of connecting women in the industry, they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s such a need for bringing together women in this space,\u201d Tretiak said. \u201cIf somebody took away one next conversation or one next step, [for] whatever they\u2019re building \u2026 that would be my hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FourWomen investors and founders gathered at Women Invested (Sarah Huffman\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n

Cocktails and conversations<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cPhilly\u2019s startup ecosystem is at its best when we build together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik Caputo, Founders Alley<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Founders Alley<\/a> and ICW Capital invited entrepreneurs, investors and other leaders to a kickoff party at the beginning of the week with the goal of creating meaningful introductions that lead to long-term relationships, Founders Alley organizer Erik Caputo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope [attendees] walked away with new relationships, a stronger sense of community, and a reminder that Philly\u2019s startup ecosystem is at its best when we build together,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Students meet their futures<\/p>\n

Mary Szurgot and Michael Dobruskin, cofounders of Philly Biotech Connect<\/a>, held a panel of biotech investors and executives at uCity Square. The mix of students, mid-level professionals and leaders in attendance was the most exciting part, Szurgot said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"SixPhilly Biotech Connect PTW panel (Sarah Huffman\/Technical.ly)<\/p>\n

1 year of VetsinTech<\/p>\n

VetsinTech, a meetup group for veterans and military spouses in the industry, celebrated its first anniversary during PTW. For organizer Andrew Maza, the genuine connection stood out the most, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rooms were filled with people from across Philadelphia\u2019s tech ecosystem, all actively sharing resources, building relationships and engaging in thoughtful dialogue,\u201d Maza said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A moment of momentum<\/p>\n

Philadelphia\u2019s tech network felt full of new momentum throughout the week, with participants sharing excitement to grow in the region.<\/p>\n

New ways to break in<\/p>\n

PhillyCHI<\/a>, a local meetup group for HCI and UX professionals, hosted designers and community members at its 20th annual Design Slam.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The attendees worked to redesign the application process for Launchpad Philly, with input from a few current Launchpad students, according to Hannah Nguyen, an organizer with PhillyCHI.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy in the room was electric,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cDesigners, students, and community members came together with creativity, collaboration, and a shared passion for making a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AChillyCHI put on its 20th annual design slam (Courtesy PhillyCHI)<\/p>\n

Data workforce comes together<\/p>\n

The attendance and engagement at DataPhilly\u2019s PTW meetup \u201cexceeded expectations,\u201d organizer Miguel Di Tolla said. It showed the group that people are interested in connecting with others in the data ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n

AI plans what\u2019s next<\/p>\n

Tech startup Siah Labs organized an event about AI, the Great Wealth Transfer and business succession planning. Cofounder Deanna Blackwell found that her personal story really drew people in, not just the AI, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/strong>This was my first Philly Tech Week, and I\u2019m genuinely inspired by this community,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople here are solving real, meaningful problems, not just building tech for tech\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ASiah Labs put on an event about AI and business succession (Branden Eastwood Photography\/Siah Labs)<\/p>\n

Ready to keep building\u00a0<\/p>\n

Waskar Paulino, founder of meetup group PhilaCon Valley, said that PTW showed him that people are \u201chungry\u201d for community. He saw people having conversations about how to collaborate and shape a more inclusive industry, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling optimistic about the Philly tech community right now,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re at an inflection point where the conversation is shifting from \u2018Do we belong here?\u2019 to \u2018How do we reshape what tech looks like from the ground up?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FourPhilacon Valley launched its agency arm (Courtesy Waskar Paulino)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Only during Philly Tech Week can you start the day attending a panel about workforce trends and end…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":797963,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5132],"tags":[5229,2879,1448,2830,1311,243977,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-797962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-america","tag-events","tag-pa","tag-pennsylvania","tag-philadelphia","tag-philly-tech-week","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116578130058381050","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=797962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/797963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=797962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=797962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=797962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}