Pittsburgh, PA Sept 10-16 2026

EXPLORE Pittsburgh Tech Week 2026
Where Tech Meets Community

A citywide unconference connecting corporate leaders, founders, educators, students and innovators.

Host an Event

PittsburghTechWeek-ExploreYouthDayatTheGlobalImpactForum-11-4-25-CoreyLankford-CWLCREATIVE

Pittsburgh built the future once with steel.
Be a part of what's next.

EXPLORE: Where Tech Meets Community
An opportunity to see, learn and connect like never before.

Citywide events

Every neighborhood. Every sector. One week where Pittsburgh's innovators, builders and dreamers show up and out

Opportunity meets community

Career pivots, funding connections, hiring moments, professional development, tech workshops

Where connections become careers

Meet mentors, employers, and collaborators who are actively investing in Pittsburgh's next generation of talent.

The future is being built here

From AI to biotech to workforce development Pittsburgh's transformation is underway and EXPLORE is at the center of it.

Featured Speakers

and Partners

Voices shaping Pittsburgh's future

Hear insights from experienced professionals shaping today’s industries globally, from right here in Pittsburgh

Albrecht Powell

Managing Director, Accenture, Data and AI | Pittsburgh Office

Nicole Webster

Regional Workplace Operations Manager

Accenture

EXPLORE Signature Events

Explore seven days of expert-led sessions, practical discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities designed for everyone

4:00 - 5:00

Opening Fireseide Chat

A powerful opening session highlighting current industry trends, opportunities shaping the future.

5:00 - 7:00

Opening Reception

Industry leaders discuss innovation strategies, and real-world experiences from the U.S. landscape.

12:00 PM

Explore Upskill Days @ Nova - Doors Open

The future of work is already here - and Pittsburgh is building it.

Upskill Day 1 brings career pathway workshops, employer activations, and hands-on learning for job seekers, professionals, and anyone ready to level up in an AI-driven economy. The day closes with the 2nd Annual Startup $10,000 Pitch Competition - the official warm-up to Innovation Works Venture Expo.

12:30 – 2:00

Cloud Computing Workshop

Jean-Pierre Nsanzabera, Senior Cloud Architect at UPMC, breaks down cloud computing fundamentals in a hands-on, accessible format for all skill levels.

2:00 – 3:00

Entrepreneurship Session

Building and sustaining a business; practical tools and mindset for founders

3:00 – 4:00

Getting Hired in an AI Economy

Ross Johnson, Vice President Recruiting Manager at PNC, leads a hands-on workshop on what job seekers need to know right now - how AI is reshaping hiring and how to stand out anyway.

4:00 – 5:00

Financial Literacy for Small Business Owners

60 min; practical financial skills for founders and small business owners - credit, capital, and cash flow

5:00 – 6:00

Networking Social Hour

An open networking session focused on relationship building and collaboration with you.

6:00 – 7:00

Startup $10,000 Pitch Competition

Five Pittsburgh region founders take the stage for pitches in front of a panel of judges. This is the official warm-up to Innovation Works Venture Day - and one startup goes home with $10,000.

7:00 – 7:30

Funding the Future: Access to Capital in Pittsburgh

A panel conversation on startup funding, what investors actually look for, and how to navigate capital access in Southwest Pennsylvania - featuring voices from the investor and financial community.

7:30 – 7:45

$10,000 Winner Announcement & Close

Winner revealed on stage & closing remarks,

12:00

Explore Upskill Day 2 - Doors Open

Pittsburgh is one of the largest health economies in the country, and it is growing - in hospitals, bio-manufacturing, health AI, and medical devices.

The afternoon moves through two expert panels, interactive breakout sessions, a micro keynote, and closes with a fireside chat and networking reception. No prior background in health or biomedical tech required! This day is built for anyone who wants a seat at the table.

12:30 – 2:00

Accessibility and Mobility in Tech

Pittsburgh is quietly building some of the most important mobility and assistive technology in the world. This panel brings those builders together for an honest conversation about what it takes - and what still stands in the way.

2:05 – 3:30

Pittsburgh Is Building the Future of Health Tech

Pittsburgh's health economy spans hospitals, bio-manufacturing, AI, and enterprise tech - and it is hiring. This panel maps the on-ramps for people who want in.

4:00 - 4:20

Keynote

A focused 15-minute talk at the intersection of AI and health.

4:30 – 6:00

Networking and Social Hour

Lite bytes and cocktails

4:30 – 6:00

Fireside Chat: Collaboration Over Competition

Nicole Webster, a 30-year Accenture veteran, sits down with EXPlore Founder Kenya Porter for a candid, two-way conversation about navigating their respective fields, the methodology behind the relationships they've built, and why collaboration over competition isn't just a philosophy - it's a strategy.

A fitting close to a day built around exactly that idea.

10:00 – 12:00

Grow with Google AI Workshop

AI is no longer a future concept - it is already inside the tools you use every day. This hands-on workshop, breaks down what AI actually is, how it works, and how you can start using it right now to work smarter, move faster, and do more with less.

5:30 – 6:30

The Next 20 Years - Panel Discussion

Pittsburgh has spent the last two decades building the infrastructure for a global tech economy - in AI, robotics, health technology, and beyond. This panel asks what the next twenty years look like, and who gets to shape them.

A curated conversation bringing together voices from technology, policy, education, and community to discuss where Pittsburgh is headed and what it will take to get there.

6:30 – 8:30

Google Celebrates 20 Years in Pittsburgh
Evening Reception - Invite Only

Twenty years ago, Google made a bet on Pittsburgh. What followed was two decades of investment, innovation, and deep roots in a city that was already proving it had something special to offer the world.

This private reception brings together the civic leaders, technologists, founders, educators, and community partners who have been part of that story - to celebrate what has been built, and look ahead to what comes next.

By invitation only. Space is limited.

9:00 - 3:00

EXPLORE Youth Day

Youth Day is where Pittsburgh's next generation gets hands-on with the technology shaping their future. High school and middle school students from 20+ school districts across the region explore AI, robotics, coding, and more; connecting with real careers and the innovators already building what's next.

5:00 - 8:00

Infinite Horizons: Women Leading in Space and XR

Where the space industry meets immersive technology; and Pittsburgh's most visionary women lead the way.An unforgettable evening of panels, XR experiences, and rooftop reception

Our Proud Sponsors and Partners

Testimonials

What Attendees Are Saying

Real feedback from people who have joined EXPLORE in previous years.

Esther Wojcicki

Journalist, Educator, & Godmother of Silicon Valley

I'm actually sort of blown away. If we can give more of our young people opportunities to come up with ideas just like these young people, we can solve a lot of the problems facing the world.

Riley Matthews

PPS Student, Explore Youth Day Attendee

It was really fun. I loved how versatile the activities were - it was just a really great opportunity.

Angela Mike

Executive Director of Career & Technical Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools

Seeing how students are motivated by having autonomy to build out projects and include AI - it's just very inspiring. We're going to be in really good hands.

Relive the Moments from Past Events

Two years in. Thousands of connections made. Watch highlights, speaker moments, and behind-the-scenes footage from EXPlore Pittsburgh Tech Week 2024 and 2025.

Join us and EXPLORE the City of Pittsburgh

EXPLORE Pittsburgh Tech Week is a citywide unconference platform built for everyone - students, educators, entrepreneurs, founders, and professionals looking to grow, connect, and transition into the future of work. Community members, organizations, and businesses across Pittsburgh host their own events throughout the week alongside our signature programming.

Venues & Locations

EXPlore Tech Week takes place across multiple venues throughout the city - from Accenture Pittsburgh and Google Pittsburgh to Nova Place, Carnegie Library, and Commonwealth Charter Academy. Every venue is selected to reflect the community it serves.

Community Calendar

Beyond our signature events, EXPLORE hosts a live community calendar where local organizations, companies, and innovators submit and promote their own Tech Week programming. From workshops and panels to demos and networking mixers - if it's happening in Pittsburgh during Tech Week, you'll find it here. Click "See Full Schedule" to browse and register for all community events.

Full Schedule Here!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions from attendees to help you prepare for EXPlore Pittsburgh Tech Week 2026.

Most EXPlore events are free and open to the public. Simply browse the full schedule on our community calendar and register directly for the events you want to attend. Some signature events may have limited capacity, so early registration is encouraged.
Yes! EXPlore operates as an unconference platform, which means community members, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to create and host their own events. Visit the "Host an Event" page on our website to submit your event for consideration and get it added to the official Tech Week calendar.
Applications for the EXPlore Startup Showcase and $10,000 Pitch Competition open soon. The competition takes place on September 14 at Nova Place and serves as the official warm-up to Innovation Works Venture Day. Visit our website to submit your application and learn more about eligibility requirements.
Not at all. Each day of EXPlore has its own theme and programming, so you can attend one event or the entire week - whatever works best for you. Check the full schedule and pick what fits your interests.
The majority of EXPlore events are free to attend. Some events hosted by community partners may have their own registration requirements or fees set by the individual host. Always check the specific event listing for details.
EXPlore is for everyone - students, educators, entrepreneurs, founders, tech professionals, career changers, and anyone curious about technology and its impact on our community. If you live, work, or learn in Pittsburgh, there is something here for you.
We'd love to connect. Reach out directly to Kenya Porter at kenya@techweekpittsburgh.com

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Secure Your Registration for EXPLORE Pittsburgh Tech Week 2026

Across our citywide programming and partnered events, EXPlore Pittsburgh Tech Week has brought together 8,000+ attendees, students, professionals, founders, and community members throughout the Pittsburgh region. Don't miss what's next.

EXPLORE Pittsburgh Tech Week 2026 Where Tech Meets Community

Pittsburgh built the future once with steel. Be a part of what's next.