Networking at a New Pace: Pitch and Run Pgh's Fresh Take on Startup Connections
Pittsburgh's startup community is welcoming its own chapter of Pitch and Run, the popular national initiative that combines the camaraderie of running with networking between startup founders and investors. Ajmail Matin, the founder of a local stealth startup developing a mental health app that integrates with fitness wearables, is the driving force behind this new local chapter.
The Inception of Pitch and Run Pgh
Inspired by his experiences in New York, Ajmail saw the potential for a similar group in Pittsburgh. "When I used to live in the Philadelphia area, I was working on a startup with two other cofounders who were based in New York City. So, I spent a lot of time there in the process and came across their running group on social media," Matin recalls. He reached out to the organizers of the original Pitch and Run events, Nihal Mehta and Kevin Weatherman, and decided to bring the concept to Pittsburgh, noting the city's active startup and running scenes.
A Vision for Community and Support
Matin's vision for Pitch and Run Pgh is to foster a community that supports the challenging journey of entrepreneurship. "The format will be similar to the Pitch and Run groups in other cities and stay consistent with the scheduling," he explains. The runs are typically around 3-5 miles, providing a perfect setting for participants to engage in meaningful conversations while promoting physical wellness. "The core focus is to build a community of people. The group is inclusive to EVERYONE, founders, funders, employees of startups, fans of startups, etc. Pitch and Run is for all paces of running or walking speeds."
An Invitation to Pittsburgh's Investors
Understanding the value that investors bring to the startup ecosystem, Matin extends a special invitation to them. "One of the main draws of Pitch and Run in other cities has been the active involvement of Angel Investors and VCs. They're a key part of the running group for having founders be able to pitch and get feedback from investors," he says. Matin also expresses a desire for more wellness-based networking events in Pittsburgh, as an alternative to the usual happy-hour-centered meetups.
The Weekly Run
The Pittsburgh chapter's weekly runs are scheduled for Friday mornings at 9 AM, starting and ending at The Terminal in the Strip District. This event is open to all, regardless of their running experience, and aims to provide a space for sharing ideas, business insights, or simply enjoying a good run with peers.
For more info. about getting involved, check out their club on Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1242436