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Building Where You Are

Building a successful company outside traditional tech hubs comes with unique advantages and challenges. Join Innovation Works for Café IW, a candid conversation exploring how Pittsburgh and Nashville are competing in today's innovation economy.

While much of the startup conversation focuses on Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, emerging innovation hubs across the country are proving that high-growth companies can be built anywhere. This session brings together founders, investors, and ecosystem builders to examine how regional startup communities create advantages and where founders must work harder to compete on a national level.

You'll hear honest insights on accessing capital outside traditional venture hubs, recruiting top talent in regional markets, building national visibility, and turning geography into a competitive advantage. Whether you're launching your first company or scaling an existing venture, this interactive conversation will help you understand how to build where you are.

Friday, July 24
10:00 AM - Noon
Tech Forge, Pittsburgh, PA

About Our Speaker

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About Haley Zapolski

Haley Zapolski (Zap) is the founder of The Lighthouse, a preseed venture firm and founder community in Nashville building billion-dollar tech companies. She backs founders at the earliest stage—before traction, headlines, or hype—starting with $5K scout checks and hands-on support hiring first teams and landing first customers. When her founders are ready to raise, she helps them find institutional leads and follows with $100–250K checks. In her first year running SPVs, she deployed $1.4M across 27+ Nashville startups, proving that great companies can be built anywhere.

Event Sponsors

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Where founders learn to compete from anywhere

Cafe IW brings together founders, investors, and ecosystem builders for candid conversations about building high-growth companies in emerging innovation hubs.

  • Gain insights from experienced founders and investors who have built successful companies outside traditional venture hubs.
  • Connect with the startup community in an interactive, in-person setting designed for meaningful dialogue and relationship building.
  • Learn practical strategies for accessing capital, recruiting talent, and turning regional advantages into competitive strengths.

Event Questions

Who should attend?

Cafe IW is designed for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders interested in understanding how regional startup communities create competitive advantages. Whether you're launching your first company or scaling an existing venture, you'll gain insights into building beyond traditional tech hubs.

Where is this held? Is there parking?

The event takes place at TechForge in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. The address is: 113 47th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. You will find limited free parking in the front of the building and behind it.

Please enter from the front. You will be directed to the second floor for registration.

 

What is the dress code?

This is a casual networking event. Dress like you would to go to your favorite cafe!

Is there a cost?

No! Innovation Works and its sponsors provide light snacks and drinks to enjoy during this event.

Can I bring a plus one to the event?

Yes, your friends and colleagues are welcome to attend. Please register each attendee individually. 

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