May 19, 2003
Volume I, Number 5

Summary on Our First Year with the MIT Enterprise Forum of Pittsburgh

At the annual Program Planning Meeting of the MIT Enterprise Forum, Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation received high marks for their role as Administrator for the MITEF organization. PGC will complete our first year as Administrator for this group June 5, 2003 at a Satellite Downlink Program from Cambridge, MA being held at Seagate’s new facility.

Pittsburgh is home to one of twenty-four MIT Enterprise Forum Chapters around the world. The MITEF helps entrepreneurs start and grow successful technology-based businesses. They use a presentation methodology pioneered at MIT to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to present new business concepts to industry experts, venture capitalists, and technology leaders. The Pittsburgh Chapter has been described as the premier organization of this type in the region.

As Administrator, PGC supports a variety of operational and program support functions. We provide “backroom operations” that range from answering the phone, managing the web site, handling publicity and providing on-site registration and meeting coordination. In addition, earlier this year PGC was able to raise funds for a new state of the art audio system and LCD projector. This new equipment has had a positive impact on the presentation quality of the monthly Forum presentations.

Last January PGC along with Innovation Works developed the programming for the MITEF Educational Seminar “Angels Investing…Finding Your Wings” directed to both angel investors and entrepreneurs. PGC sponsored the featured speaker Tripp Peake, Manager of Mass Ventures Equity Fund, who is a recognized expert and noted speaker. This program included other presentations, “Perspectives on Angel Investing...all the statistics you will want to know” by Bob Meeder and “Do You Need an Angel and How to Find One” by Jack Roseman, Director of The Roseman Institute.

PGC is currently working on support for next years programming with incoming officers Chairperson, Ginny Pribanic, and Programs-Chairperson, John Rodney. In addition to an exciting program line-up, the emphasis for the next season we include an expanded focus on marketing outreach.