How to stay connected (and cool) this July: Check out these 10 virtual Philly tech events from home

Events Roundup is a Technical.ly column where we highlight events happening in the Philly area each month. Got a submission? Email us the details so we can consider it for our next roundup: philly@technical.ly.

---

Well folks — we’ve made it to July!

We’re officially halfway through 2020, rolling right through to Q3 and bracing for a still-busy summer of (now virtual) events. Who would have thought?

While we still face a hard rest of the year facing the ongoing pandemic, as well as experiencing one of the largest civil rights movements and recessions we’ve seen in modern history, we’re hoping everyone has at least figured out how the heck to mute themselves on Zoom meetings.

Speaking of virtual gatherings, we’ve collected a handful of events this month that address some of the country’s biggest challenges: fighting COVID-19 with tech, making intentional and lasting diversity and inclusion moves at your company, and learning how to adapt your startup during this ever-evolving time.

And because it’s summer and we could all use a little rest, we also included some fun ones (come game with us during PTW virtual!). Check out July’s scope of events:

Impact Real Talk: The Single Most Important Investment in 2020

Social Venture Circle member Nathalie Molina Niño will talk about her search for a more effective and sustainable way to deploy investment into electoral politics during this time. Social Venture Circle will host this virtual conversation with Molina Niño, an investor at O³; David Mendels of the Movement Voter Project; and SVC’s Valerie Red-Horse Mohl.

• Thursday, July 2
• 1:30 p.m.
• Free, register here

Blockchain-Based Technology to Enhance Global Insights Past COVID-19

The Blockchain in Healthcare Today Philadelphia meetup is hosting this event focusing on how blockchain tech is “providing the utilization of data of where pharmaceuticals, test kits, face masks and devices have come from and the credentials they have beyond the barcode.”

• Tuesday, July 7
• 4 to 5 p.m.
• Free, register here

Take Action Accountability Hour

This virtual meeting is for folks looking for a way to keep themselves accountable in making strives for social justice. Hosted by Slack group We Evolve, the hour-long event provides a space to call and email your representatives, do some reading, tackle organizing tasks, or chip away at whatever you are trying to get done while on a video call with other folks. The org is providing resources to get started: “Let’s help each other stay accountable to activism work long-term and provide some community support along the way in the form of an hour of coworking on a video call.”

• Tuesday, July 7
• 6 to 7 p.m.
• Join on Slack here

Diversity, equity and inclusion: the roadmap to change

This Venture Cafe talk will address how companies and enterprises ranging in size and age can take action and create measurable impact from their diversity, equity and inclusion work toward systemic change. Robyn Pollack, managing director of AchieveNEXT, and serial entrepreneur and CEO Kathy Light will lead this virtual talk.

• Thursday, July 9
• 3 to 4 p.m.
• Join virtually here

2020 WITS Virtual Summit

This Women in Tech Summit series was adapted to a virtual experience because of the pandemic and will now feature speakers and sessions from all five regions where the summit is usually held. There are six days of virtual events across two weeks in mid and late July, and planned events include talks on “innovating your career,” “trends in technology” and “tech now and in the future.” We spot a few local speakers, too.

• July 14 through July 30
• Various times
• Tickets are $99, or $169, which will include access to this year’s event and an IRL regional event in 2021

Is Your Company’s 401k Plan Aligned with Your Values?

This ImpactPHL and As You Sow event is for anyone involved in the decision-making process for their company’s retirement plans. “It is often the case that the investment options in the company-defined 401(k) are often not in alignment with the company’s stated values and sustainability goals,” the event page says. But it is possible to evaluate and adjust to better align your investments with company values.

• Thursday, July 23
• 2 to 3 p.m.
• Free, register here

Philly Tech Week’s July events

It’s official — Technical.ly’s signature Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast event series will now span the entire summer with multiple virtual events each month through September. July’s looking pretty packed with at least three sessions — INTER/VIEW Virtual, a professional development day with Generocity on July 22; “How a Pandemic Changes Your Local Gaming Industry” with Nerd Street Gamers and Balti Virtual on July 23; and “Now What: Next Steps for Your Startup,” with Amplify Philly on July 29. Look out for registration information for these events and more the rest of the summer soon.

RAIN Adaptation: An Evolving Innovation Ecosystem

University City Science Center’s 2020 conference will happen virtually at the end of the month and will explore “abrupt pivots as a result of unforeseen circumstances and slow, evolving changes that were the product of shifting market conditions.” This year’s RAIN will feature a fireside chat with Travis Sheridan, Wexford Science & Technology’s first chief community officer, and will be followed by lightning talks and a panel discussion from organizations and startups.

• Thursday, July 30
• 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• Free, register here