Professional Development

Events Roundup: Give thanks for this slate of November tech and startup events in Philly

Are you an entrepreneur, a business owner or a college student? We've got you covered this month with nine professional development gatherings.

The founders of Launch Lane's inaugural cohort. (Courtesy photo)

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.


Shockingly, the year is winding down — hello, midway point of Q4, you really came out of nowhere.

And while November is all about cozy vibes and counting what we’re grateful for, it’s also a time to reflect on what 2021 has brought us and think about the future. The fall’s slate of events isn’t slowing down any time soon, if this roundup is any indication. So before we enter full-on holiday mode, take a look at what this month has to offer.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to pilot your idea? A business owner who wants to make their operations more sustainable? A college student looking for advice on internships? Any of the above, we’ve got you. Read on.

LIFT Labs 2021 Demo Day

After 11 startups have worked for months on their business concepts through Comcast NBCUniversal’s LIFT Labs Accelerator, they’ll meet this week to show off progress and announce partnerships formed throughout the program. Guests Hoda Kotb from NBC News’TODAY” and Jim Cramer from CNBC’s Mad Money” and “Squawk on the Street” will join the virtual event.

Drexel Startup Fest

This two-day event hosted by Drexel University will happen in-person with some sessions online, and include faculty, students and local business leaders. The scheduled events featuring tours of the university’s incubator space, a low-code innovation challenge, a pitch competition and an entrepreneurship game modeled after “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Those attending in-person must show proof of vaccination.

  • Thursday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 5
  • All day
  • RSVP here

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Want to feel involved with the startup community past just the regional level? Global Entrepreneurship Week returns the second week of November for a host of events, activities and speaker series around the world. Kicking off GEW in Philadelphia is a policy roundtable hosted by the Temple University Small Business Development Center on Monday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 p.m. You can also expect events such as “Hiring and Retaining Employees — Where the Heck can you find Employees in this market?” hosted by Community College of Philadelphia and “Community Conversations: Women in Entrepreneurship” hosted by Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

Leveraging Patient Data During the Pandemic

Philly’s healthcare systems represent one of the region’s strongest industries, and amid the pandemic, healthcare leaders have been able to use patient data to improve public health outcomes. Hear from health IT pros about how data informed Philly’s pandemic response and how it came make the region more resilient in the future at this Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce virtual event.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 9
  • 3 to 4 p.m.
  • Non-member tickets $50, free for members; register here

“Just and Regenerative” Business: the What, Why and How

Looking to make your business practices more sustainable? Social Venture Circle and the American Sustainable Business Council are hosting a virtual discussion about how businesses can put “just and regenerative” approaches in their operations. The seminar will attempt to answer questions like, “As our climate and social crises intensify, we know that business as usual needs reimagining, but what does the alternative look like? And how do we get there?”

Design to Disrupt: Edupreneur Roundtable: Interning Towards Success

During one of the University City Science Center’s Venture Cafes, Associate Scientist Ebony Cottman-Thomas, Lab Manager Lea De Rosa and intern Sultanah Harper will reflect on Cabaletta Bio’s 2021 student internship experience as well as the Science Center’s FirstHand Program to talk about the importance of internships in professional development. “While grades are important, the ability to apply your skills in a real-world situation is critical. Internships and co-ops give you a chance to put what you learned in the classroom to use,” the event says. This session will be in-person at the Science Center.

How to Change the Conversation — and Get Results

This conversation during Philly Mag’s annual Thinkfest will feature entrepreneur Tayyib Smith and activist Abdul Aliy-Muhammad. Thinkfest is free to attend virtually and open to the public this year, and will host talks on what’s next for Philadelphia throughout the second week of November.

Smart Cities: Improving Philadelphia through Mobility Technology

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting this virtual event to hear from leaders at SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia, and other industry experts about Philadelphia’s SmartCityPHL progress to implement innovative technologies into city infrastructure. The session will explore how the City and the private can sector share resources — knowledge, networks, skills — to address mobility issues in the region.

  • Thursday, Nov. 18
  • 11 a.m. to noon
  • Non-member tickets $50, free for members; register here

2021 Remarkable Ideas Virtual Pitch Event

The Great Dames, a networking group for women, is hosting a pitch competition for a “remarkable idea” that fits the theme “Reimagining our Future.” The grand prize includes a $1,000 cash award, a business mentor, and a valuable portfolio of business services. Last year’s winner, Giftie Umo, created a project dedicated to supporting women in Africa. Those interested in applying can submit a pitch video by Nov. 19 for the Nov. 30 competition.

Companies: City of Philadelphia / Comcast / Drexel University / Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia / Philadelphia Magazine / SEPTA / University City Science Center

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