As the year starts to wind down, PSL is thrilled to continue connecting you to ecosystem news, updates, and events all happening right here in our region’s unique
tech ecosystem. Here’s another monthly edition of the PSL newsletter to keep you in the loop!
If you're interested in discovering more resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region, be sure to explore:
The PSL Digest which includes a weekly summary of events happening throughout the ecosystem. Get the digest by signing up for PSL Connect. You can also add your organization’s events to the ecosystem calendar to be featured!
Our PSL Instagram account–don't forget to check out our stories for grant opportunities!
Eventbrite for PSL’s unique events and to get tickets
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple exits or just starting your entrepreneurial adventure, PSL aims to connect, convene, and navigate you to valuable resources available throughout the Philly Tech Ecosystem through an uplifting community of local entrepreneurs–like yourself.
If you appreciate our work, consider bolstering our non-profit’s cause of making entrepreneurship an accessible path for economic self determination by coming to our final 15 Year Anniversary Event:
As we embrace the upcoming holiday season and prepare to close out the year, we hope you enjoy this month’s edition of the PSL Newsletter and we hope to see you at an ecosystem event soon! 🚀
Featured
Events🎟️
Celebrating a remarkable 15-year journey, Philly Startup Leaders has persistently championed entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology, acting as a cornerstone for founders seeking growth through valuable resources and effective connections. To mark this significant milestone, PSL is thrilled to invite you to two events that will offer abundant opportunities for
engagement, education, and celebration for our thriving local startup community.
Join PSL's 15th Anniversary Grand Finale at the Glassbreakers Ball🍾
The closure event of PSL's 15th Anniversary celebrations is almost here.
Glassbreakers Ball is a glittering gala that will honor entrepreneurs and industry leaders who have made a significant impact on Philadelphia's startup landscape. We'll be recognizing enduring community contributions with Lifetime Achievement Awards, while also spotlighting our promising rising stars and outlining PSL’s forward-thinking strategy for the next 15 years of growth.
Date:
12/12/2023
Time: 5:30-9pm
Location: Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut St.
Admission: $125
Remember, all proceeds from the Gala
will be channeled back into PSL's initiatives aimed at bolstering local startups. This includes mentor programs, new accelerators, a job board, leadership development programming, and trade missions designed to create critical domestic & international connections, investment, and talent to our region and its founders.
As part of the celebrations, we're excited to announce that we'll be acknowledging exceptional members of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Join us in honoring the incredible past and present PSL board members, presidents, and award winners who
have made a transformative impact in our community.
Don't miss the chance to nominate the individuals and organizations that best exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and have contributed significantly to the growth of PSL and the tech/entrepreneur community in the region.
Categories include Mentor of The Year, Game Changer Award, The Keystone Award, and Startup Of The Year. Remember, you can only nominate one person or organization per category!
Nominations are open
untilNovember 17, 2023. We will review all nominations and determine the Awardees with the assistance of the Legacy Leader Council. It’s time to recognize the movement makers who have helped shape the city's entrepreneurial landscape – your nomination
matters!
On December 6th, join us at Mindspace Wanamaker for the last Welcome Wagon event of the year!
Discovering a new city, role, or
community can be daunting, but PSL's Welcome Wagon series is here to help. Designed for those who are new to the Philly startup scene or the city in general, this casual networking series brings together startup founders, investors, ecosystem partners, and curious minds. The series aims to introduce newcomers to key ecosystems,
events, business resources, and new friends in their neighborhood and across the region. Each month, the series moves to a different location, creating unique opportunities to connect and learn.
Don't forget to bring a friend and join us for a fun-filled evening!
Special thanks to our Food and Beverage Sponsor,
Federal Doughnuts, for making this event possible.
To all our innovative minds: The State of PA has two exciting incentives on offer to give your business a significant boost:
1️⃣ KIZ (Keystone Innovation Zone): This program showers early-stage, for-profit ventures (up to eight years) with tax credits that you can readily convert to cash. To qualify, your company
should operate within a Keystone Innovation Zone and be part of certain target industries.
2️⃣ R&D Tax Credits: If your company spends on developing or improving products or processes, the federal and state R&D tax credits await you! This wide-reaching incentive can benefit a variety of businesses,
with the federal credit providing a special perk for startups. While the federal credit should be claimed on your tax return, the state credit is sellable, putting cash back into your pocket.
Could your company be eligible? To find out and move forward with your application, don't hesitate to contact Anne Fabry at MVM Associates. She's available via email at afabry@mvmgrants.com or phone at 267-918-4244 and
will be more than happy to assist you.
Time is of the essence, so take this golden opportunity to give your business an advantage right now!
Meet Francesca Augustine - an Art Visionary Bridging the Gap between Art and Technology
Francesca Augustine, the dynamic founder of Neftwerk, brings over 25 years of rich experience from various sectors of the art market. With an impressive background that spans creating, selling, shipping, representing artists, curating exhibitions, developing nonprofits, teaching, and advising art collectors, Francesca possesses a nuanced understanding of the art market's complexities. When blockchain technologies emerged, she
identified an unprecedented opportunity to address significant challenges in the art market, inspiring the birth of Neftwerk.
Francesca acknowledges that the early stages of founding a company can be isolating and challenging. However, she emphasizes the invaluable support she has received from the PSL community, which has been a source of camaraderie, insight, and affirmation that she is on the right path.
Francesca appreciates the traditional "wins" for startups, such as receiving checks that keep operations running and progressing through due diligence with an Angel investment group. Yet, what truly motivates her is the knowledge that she is building technology to serve her community, support artists, and strengthen art production internationally. She views herself and her peers at PSL as visionaries, uniquely equipped to translate their visions not only to potential investors but also to their
customers and broader community.
As we wrap up this edition of the PSL Newsletter, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued support and involvement in our community. Your engagement and commitment fuel the growth and innovation that define our region's entrepreneurial ecosystem. At PSL
we stay inspired by recognizing there's always something new to learn, a connection to make, and a milestone to celebrate in our vibrant community.
