In response to a growing need across the University, Pitt is growing a new community to support innovators at every stage of their journey. We are excited to invite you to be part of the Community of Innovators, an in-person initiative from the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) that brings together researchers, OIE staff, and external experts for education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. As a member, you’ll have access to resources that can accelerate your translational research and increase your chances of securing future funding and success.
Upcoming In-Person Sessions - RSVP for Any or All!
October 1 - A Practitioner’s Perspectives on the Art and Science of Inventing
Presenter: Ned Uber, PhD, retired Bayer Distinguished Science Fellow
RSVPOctober 8 - Earflo - Taking a Product from Academia from Need to Commercialization
Presenters: Intan Oldakowska, CEO, Earflo and Matt Oldakowski, CTO, Earflo
RSVPOctober 15 - Prototyping and Evidence Generation
Presenters: Mohit Singhala, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, UPMC and Lead Engineer, CREATES
RSVPOctober 22 - Mentor Connect
Presenters: Priya Amin, MBA, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Pitt Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
RSVPOctober 29 - Panel Discussion with Leadership of Pitt Licensed Startup Companies
Presenters: Jeffrey Garanich, PhD, Director, Innovation Programming, Pitt Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
RSVPProgram FAQ
Join a vibrant community of Pitt faculty and staff exploring innovation—no prior experience or project idea required. Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, you’re welcome to participate at your own pace.
Discover who can join the Community of Innovators and how you can get involved—whether you’re just curious or already have an idea. Learn about the flexible, low-pressure approach to participation and what to expect before and after joining.
No, you’re welcome to join without a specific project in mind. The program is designed to support individuals exploring innovation and commercialization.
No specific steps are required. Participants are encouraged to explore OIE’s other education, mentoring, and funding opportunities at their own pace.
Explore when and where sessions take place, what the weekly experience looks like, and why in-person attendance is key. Get a preview of the engaging talks, team updates, and networking opportunities that define the program.
Fall 2025 sessions will be held weekly on Wednesdays from Sept. 17 through Dec. 10 (excluding Nov. 26), from 4–5:30 pm. Sessions take place in person at the Big Idea Center (3601 Forbes Avenue) on Pitt’s Oakland campus.
No, sessions are in-person only. The program’s education, mentoring, and networking components are best experienced face-to-face.
Sessions feature talks from invited speakers, updates from Pitt innovation teams supported by OIE, and discussions with experienced innovators. Each session includes active discussion and dedicated networking time.
Community of Innovators – Goals
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Provide Pitt innovators with opportunities to explore their interests in innovation and commercialization.
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Introduce participants to the Pitt SPARK program, which draws inspiration from the SPARK academic translation model developed at Stanford and disseminated via SPARK GLOBAL.
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Introduce participants to the funding and training programs offered through Pitt’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
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Provide opportunities for participants to develop relationships with other Pitt innovators.
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Provide opportunities for participants to connect with and learn from experienced innovators and entrepreneurs.