Events Roundup: 8 ways to tackle your entrepreneurial resolutions this January

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.

New year, new founder?

At the start of each year, we at Technical.ly have startups on the brain. January is the month the newsroom always publishes our annual RealLIST Startups list, naming the young tech companies we believe are best poised to make a difference in their respective markets this year (check out 2021’s edition). And while the pandemic rages on, impacting how small businesses of all types serve their customers, we’re focusing more of our general reporting on startup health.

There are still plenty of virtual options and resources to grow or start your business. Use this month’s events guide as some inspiration. Want to check out a pitch event for healthcare ideas? We’ve got that. Need a one-on-one mentor session or lessons on growing a mentoring relationship? Check. Looking to learn about the economic future of the city or connect with other founders on the East Coast? Covered you there.

Read on to find the events worth your time as an entrepreneur this month.

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A Roadmap to Inclusive Entrepreneurship

National League of Cities, an organization comprised of local leaders across the US that are focused on improving the quality of life in their communities, is developing an action guide called A Roadmap to Inclusive Entrepreneurship. And regional leadership is involved. Catch Wilmington Alliance CEO Renata Kowalczyk, Enterprise Center CEO Della Clark and Nowak Metro Finance Lab Founding Director Bruce Katz on this panel discussing best practices.

• Monday, Jan. 10
• 1 to 2 p.m.
• Register here

Penn Nursing Innovation Accelerator Pitch Event

This accelerator gives funding to Penn Nursing students and faculty to test early-stage solutions that aim to improve healthcare outcomes within populations of need. Finalists of the accelerator will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges from the local innovation and entrepreneurship community. Hiyam Nadel, director of the Center for Innovation in Care at Massachusetts General Hospital, will give a keynote.

• Thursday, Jan. 13
• 3 to 5 p.m.
• Register here

Design to disrupt and reimagine education

This virtual session during the University City Science Center’s Venture Cafe will take a look at how Gen Alpha — yep, it’s a thing — will have access to fully immersive AR and VR experiences through their K-12 education. The current members of this generation are already nearing middle school, and edtech founders will talk about how to address equity within this space. Shortfalls for the ethnic and neurodiverse learning communities exist — so how will we combat that in education? Learn this and more at this virtual session.

• Thursday, Jan. 13
• 4 to 5 p.m.
• Register here

Economic Outlook 2022: Forecasting our economic future

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s annual Economic Outlook event is back, again virtually, as we enter the new year. The 2022 outlook will provide perspective and analysis to what may happen in the year ahead, and allow some insight needed to make informed business decisions. Patrick Harker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; Phil Mackintosh, chief economist and SVP of Nasdaq; and a panel of business leaders including Chellie Cameron, CEO of Philadelphia International Airport, will spotlighting the key economic trends that will shape Philadelphia this year.

• Thursday, Jan. 14
• 10 to 11 a.m.
• Virtual tickets free for Chamber members, $50 for non members

East Coast Bootstrappers Breakfast

This virtual breakfast meeting will gather entrepreneurs from New York, Philly, Toronto, Tampa and other East Coast regions to talk founder problems. The group offers a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support to founds who can share ideas with each other. Log onto Zoom for this morning networking and brainstorming session.

• Tuesday, Jan. 18
• 8:30 to 10 a.m.
• Register here

Office hours: Overcome your biggest startup obstacles 

Science Center Senior VP of Strategy and Partnerships Tracy Brala is opening her door for an office hours session for startup founders. This one-on-one mentorships session will help answer a variety of questions like “where can I hire talent?” or “is this a scalable idea?” Reach out to book at 20-minute session. Proof of vaccination and masks are required.

• Thursday, Jan. 27
• 3 to 4 p.m.
• Register here

Being an effective mentee

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a strong mentor or mentee? The Young Professionals Council is hosting a discussion with Michele Gianforcaro and Rita DiCarlo from Villanova School of Business, as a mentor and mentee pair. They will examine what makes an effective, dynamic relationship; how to communicate what you’re looking to gain from the mentorship; what kind of questions to ask’ and how to set the tone of the relationship.

• Thursday, Jan. 27
• 4 to 5 p.m.
• Register here

Future Works Alliance Book Talk

The Future Works Alliance, which has evolved into a mission-driven consulting business that’s focused on future of work opportunities and challenges, is hosting an in-person event with Indy Hall’s Alex Hillman, who published “The Tiny MBA,” and Orly Zeewy, author of “Ready, Launch, Brand: The Lean Marketing Guide for Startups.” The group will discuss the books and “explore the entrepreneur in all of us.” Proof of vaccination is required for entry.

• Thursday, Jan. 27
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Head House Books, 619 S. Second St.