Why Work for a Startup Tech Company?

We've mentioned before how Pittsburgh is gaining a new name for itself. Instead of being known for steel, its entrepreneurs and tech companies are garnering some attention. Now, there are tech startups all over the city. In fact, Pittsburgh recently made Zip Recruiter's list as one of the top cities to get a job at a startup, especially when it comes to technology. A recent article in Inc. took a look at why working at a tech company is so valuable, and we've list a few highlights below.

1. It's where the jobs are.
Other industries wax and wane but, tech bubbles notwithstanding, the tech industry is adding jobs at a dependable clip. Last year, Pew Research published an analysis showing how tech sector jobs had nearly doubled from just over 2 billion jobs in 1997 to just under 4 billion in 2012. And head counts have only grown since then. 

2. They need your non-tech skills.
No matter what you do, there's a tech company out there that needs your skills. Know how to make a really good cream puff? Big tech companies like Google could use your baking skills in their famed cafeterias. 

3. Your career can grow rapidly.
Just imagine for a moment what kind of advancement opportunities you might have in a company whose head count has grown by twenty times? Small, fast-growing start-up companies are a great place for this kind of rapid advancement.

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Reasons Why Pittsburgh Startup Outlook is Positive

In recent years, the startup scene in Pittsburgh has been steadily growing, and we can only expect that growth to continue. The steel city is getting some major attention lately, and no longer just for its steel or recently freezing weather.

Startups in the region made it on two notable lists this past week as one of the top cities for startup employment and venture capital dollars, both signalling a positive future for businesses. Find more information on the lists below:

Startup employment

ZipRecruiter.com, a website that analyzes job and recruitment data, found Pittsburgh is No. 17, ahead of Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston and Dallas, among others.

The company said Pittsburgh's place on the list was because of its local startup companies including Duolingo, No Wait and The Resumator.

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Venture Capital 

Venture capital dollars spent in the Pittsburgh region more than doubled from 2013 to 2014, according to a new report from economic and social trend tracker PittsburghTODAY.

In 2014, venture capital firms invested $338 million in local companies, up from $138 million in 2013.

“That was driven largely by several very large growth capital financings,” said Mike Stubler, managing director with Draper Triangle Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Pittsburgh. “Almost half of the money went to three large deals.”

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Show Local Businesses Some Love This Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, you can show your love to a special someone and to local businesses by buying a gift locally. Plus, if you haven't purchased a gift yet, you can quickly grab these gifts and save yourself from worrying about shipping time or costs. Here are some Valentine's Day gift ideas from Pittsburgh area businesses.

Pretzel Crazy Valentine’s TreatsThis Valentine’s Day, think outside the chocolate box and consider a holiday treat from this locally owned independent Pittsburgh based business. Visit Pretzel Crazy online for ordering info.

Wine Cellar Personalize Wine BottlesIf you’re looking for a fun gift to commemorate this special occasion, Pennsylvania Wine Cellar in Station Square offers several local wine $3.50, so for around $15, you’ve got a customized bottle of vino to give to that special someone!

ESSpa Hungarian Skincare Valentine Day Spa SpecialsPick from over 10 spa deals, such as “Valentine ‘I Love You Twice As Much’ Bonus Gift Card Sale”, “Life by Chocolate”, and “Red Hot and Healthy Package.” Please visit ESSpa’s website to find out about all these unique spa packages.

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Things to Do for Valentine's Day in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh may not be known as the city of love, but there are tons of things to do this Valentine's Day! Regardless of whether you are single or taken, these events are worth checking out. Here are a few events happening around this time of year from Pittsburgh's Whirl Magazine: 

Jazz at Andys@ Fairmont PittsburghCelebrate the most romantic weekend of the year with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rosé. Andys Bar will feature live music throughout the weekend, including performances by Paul Cosentino, Bronwyn Wyatt, and Mark Pipas. fairmont.com/pittsburgh/dining/andys. 

Valentine Making Workshop & Happy Hour@ Trust Arts Education CenterYou don’t want to miss this fun and productive happy hour! Make your own heart-themed valentines for your loved ones while enjoying good friends, music, and drinks. trustarts.culturaldistrict.org. 

Animal Instincts Valentine’s Day Dinner@ Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG AquariumIt’s getting wild at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium! Enjoy your night with dinner and cocktails while enjoying an adults-only presentation by Henry Kacprzyk on the intimate secrets of exotic animal mating. There will also be visits from small animals, and a special Water’s Edge animal event. pittsburghzoo.org.

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What is the "New Pittsburgh"?

We have written before about how Pittsburgh has transformed into a city known for its steel to a city that is known for its technology, innovation and the smart entrepreneur-minded residents that are driving the change. In a recent Pittsburgh Magazine article, writer Dennis B. Roddy, asked Pittsburghers how they envision the "New Pittsburgh". Here are some of the quotes and highlights from the article that we found most intriguing:

“I think we’re coming out of a bubble. I think we looked at that as normal, the safety net that corporations brought to society,” says Mark Musolino, 43, a New York transplant who started a few of his own ventures after earning a Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006. He created Revv as a low-rent, no-lease parking space for startups. Musolino says the old Pittsburgh continues to transform as its model of lifetime job, fixed benefits and aversion to risk is displaced by younger entrepreneurs who fall in love with Pittsburgh’s scale, neighborhoods and established sense of community that embraces newcomers.

The New Pittsburgh, with its startups run by techies who see failure as an option so long as they learn something, is taking shape in ways that show how technology can shift cultures. 

The business “ecosystem” is a common trope within The New Pittsburgh. It is partly an acknowledgment that economic development is best grown organically while nourished by a society that doesn’t stigmatize failure, invites a certain level of contrarian outlook and places social and community connections near the top of the wish list for newcomers and even boomerangs.

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Offices Available at Riverside Center for Innovation

Our building, located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, now has office suites available! In the mid 19th century, Riverside Center for Innovation (RCI) was known as the May Stern warehouse. Now it is the renovated location and business incubator for several local companies. If you are interested in leasing an office suite, contact Juan Garrett at jg@riversidecenterforinnovation.com. For more information about available spaces and amenities read below.

Free parking and Fiber Internet connections are included with rent. Other services offered are telephone/receptionist services, photocopier (B&W and color), conference rooms, faxing, word processing, postage, an exercise facility, IT services, notary public, business counseling, MBE and WBE certifications, and entrepreneurial business counseling.

RCI is located along the Allegheny River on Pittsburgh's North Shore (700 River Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212). It is directly across from the David Lawrence Convention Center, just a minute's drive from downtown Pittsburgh.

RCI is in Pittsburgh's Technology Zone and the Pittsburgh Central KIZ. The Technology Zone has been designated by the City of Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority to promote job growth and gives businesses the advantage of business expansion opportunities and investments.

More details at RCI 

MLK Events in Pittsburgh

Martin Luther King Day is on Monday, January 19th. If you have the day off on Monday, there are some Pittsburgh events that are commemorating Martin Luther King. Even if you are working, here are a few events to remember his honor.

Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards
Coro Center for CIVIC Leadership
33 Terminal Way, Suite 429-A
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-2674
www.coropittsburgh.org 

Date: Jan. 23, 2015 

On January 23, join other Pittsburghers at the Coro Center for CIVIC Leadership for the eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards. Celebrate all that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for at this special event honoring his values, leadership and service. Nominated individuals and organizations will also be honored based on their contributions to the community and helping to further a more inclusive social equality. General admission tickets to the event are $50 and available to purchase through January 23. 

31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
St. Paul’s Baptist Church
6701 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 361-5549
www.eecm.org 

Date: Jan. 18, 2015 

Come together with members of the East End Cooperative Ministry Council of Congregations and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, scheduled for January 18 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Now in its 31st year, this event will commemorate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. through special keynote speakers, including Cecile M. Springer, President of Springer Associates. Be inspired by the devotion to community, social justice, leadership and economic ethics of Ms. Springer who embodies much of what Martin Luther King, Jr. represented. Admission is free; however, canned good donations are requested to benefit the East End Cooperative Ministry’s food pantry.

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