We are kicking off this week of Business as Usual by welcoming Ilana Diamond, the Managing Partner of Pittsburgh's newest VC firm, 412 Venture Fund.

Ilana will talk to us about 412 Venture Fund taking a new approach to investing. 412 Venture Fund is a network of founders supporting founders first; is a catalyst for building Pittsburgh's next-generation VC ecosystem; and is a community of leaders fostering diversity. 

As Managing Partner of the 412 Venture Fund, Ilana leads the fund's activities, including sourcing and due diligence; guiding the growth of its portfolio companies and leading its “Founder-First” initiatives.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and UPMC Health Plan are partnering to highlight the Athena Awards with regular interviews of the 2020 Athena Awards winners and finalists.

We're kicking off the series with UPMC's Maris Dauer and Kim Orth to detail why the Athena Awards are so important for UPMC Health Plan and what the organization does to promote women across the workplace.

Earlier this month, ALung Technologies CEO Pete DeComo stopped by our "Business as Usual" webcast to tell his amazing story of building life sciences companies in the Pittsburgh region. 

Pete is a true technology/life sciences pioneer! With 25-plus years of life sciences start up experience, Pete founded and shepherded Renal Solutions to a $200 million acquisition by Fresenius Medical Care before leading up ALung. Hear Pete discuss how ALung has become a leading developer of advanced medical devices for treating respiratory failure.

 

Come hear more about ALung's remarkable journey and Pete's dedication to scaling this tremendous business!

Aspirant, a global management consulting and technology firm, announced the promotion of Michele Petruccelli to Vice President. She will continue her current role as Director of Aspirant’s Marketing & Innovation practice, and reports to President Mike McClaine. The company’s headquarters are in Pittsburgh.

Petruccelli joined Aspirant in January 2018, where she created and has since grown the company’s Marketing & Innovation practice. She specializes in brand strategy development and execution, consumer insight, design thinking, competitive scenario planning, and capability development. Petruccelli worked with a variety of clients across the U.S., including Novartis, Highmark, Lakeview Health, and Gateway Health.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and what better way to end the week and month than exploring this topic with Doug Olson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge - Cyber Intelligence Branch of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office?

Doug has decades of experience fighting crime at all levels and is a recognized cyber crime expert. He will detail top cyber threats and how to maintain safety on today's show. Plus, get up to date on emerging threats related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This a unique opportunity to stay safe and up to date on key cybersecurity trends that both impact you and your business. Please join us!

Comcast Corporation launched Comcast RISE, an initiative created to help strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by COVID-19. The Comcast RISE program will help thousands of small businesses over the next three years. The multi-faceted program offers grants, marketing and technology upgrades, including media campaigns and connectivity, computer and voice equipment, as well as free marketing insights to all applicants. 

U.S. small businesses have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the number of U.S. active business owners dropped from 15 million to 11.7 million from February to April. The study cited that Black-owned small businesses were hardest hit, suffering the steepest decline (41 percent), followed by Hispanic and Asian American-owned small businesses. 

Comcast's Thaddeus Lee talks to TechVibe Radio about the program, how to apply and more details on the resources.

Entrepreneur turned comedian Maya May dishes 3 top tips for career-switching during COVID-19.

Maya May was previously a career entrepreneur and channel partner with over a decade of experience in project management as well as product and operations development. Ms. May is no stranger to adversity, and she knows the value of going against the current and doubling down on your dreams. While the story nationally has been focused on the negative impact the pandemic is having on the comedy scene, Maya is performing a virtual comedy tour from her living room.  A fixture at comedy festivals and college campuses across the country, she is well acquainted with the challenges faced by young people and recent graduates in today’s job market. 

Necessity is the mother of invention, and Maya is an advocate of positive thinking and the ability to adapt in times of crisis.  She has three top tips for career switching that need to be considered by those looking to jump ship from their current job, or for those who want to pursue deeply held lifelong interests:

• Assess the situation:  It’s important to take stock psychologically.  What do you really want? Is it just a job change, or are you going for something specific?  You need to be clear on what you are really looking to get out of your career change.
• Take account of the environment: The world is changing drastically in response to the pandemic.  There are two aspects to consider, one being what won’t be possible (such as traveling to a country that won’t let you in) and the other being the positive aspect--there is a completely new range of possibilities to consider as every industry adapts to the new normal.
• Map out a strategy: Don’t just quit tomorrow.  You need to plan out resources and be timely with job transitions to keep yourself from being in a jam.  Set practical goals that can be met step by step instead of unrealistic pursuits.

Join us today on Business as Usual to get a front row seat with one of Pittsburgh's hottest robotics companies -- IAM Robotics. 

IAM CEO Tom Galluzo will detail the journey of scaling the company through COVID-19 and beyond. IAM Robotics is delivering innovation and operational value that is transforming the material handling industry.

 Learn more about IAM's team -- a mix of robot and automation experts, tinkers and problem solvers, who have been addressing problems in logistics and the supply chain for years. Plus, IAM is in hiring mode.

Svatantra Innovation began in early 2019 in Pittsburgh  with a vision to enable individuals and businesses to be learn and apply creative thinking ability to identify breakthrough opportunities, design unique approaches and deliver distinct and powerful solution that transforms their space.

Svatantra Innovation's interventions will enable a thinking ability that is unbiased by past experiences, present distractions and limiting future expectations. Svatantra Innovation has programs for working professionals - the Breakthrough Thinking Program, and for school children (middle and high schools) - the Slingshot Program.

We are pleased to welcome the new Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing CEO Ira Moskowitz to Business as Usual. 

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) is the leading catalyst of robotics innovation and expertise. Ira will explain how ARM's mission is to accelerate growth in U.S.-based manufacturing and the high-value careers that go arm in arm with this industry change. ARM and its members seek to lower economic, technical and operational barriers, allowing enterprises of all sizes to adopt robotic technologies.

Ira is new to the Pittsburgh region taking on this new position. We are excited to get his insights on how the Pittsburgh region will play a central role bringing robotics and advanced technologies into the manufacturing industry.