TEQ

Going Global: Pittsburgh Technology Council Launches Export Program

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

Claudia Garcia Leads Up PTC's Export Program.

With an ever-increasing number of Pennsylvania technology and manufacturing companies looking to grow in global markets, the Pittsburgh Technology Council launched the Technology Export Initiative (TechExport) this spring.

The initiative is funded through a $200,000, two-year contract from the Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which was awarded a $1.7 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

DCED selected the PTC to partner on TechExport to link clusters of technology companies to both state and federal export services. This initiative targets companies comprising the region’s key technology sectors like advanced manufacturing, IT, green energy and life sciences. The unique business needs of technology firms, including various international trade barriers, differ significantly from those of traditional manufacturers. At the same time, it is often critically important for technology companies to enter the international arena in earliest stages of their lifecycle.  For these reasons, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, in a joint effort with the Pennsylvania’s Center for Trade Development (CTD), has created the TechExport Program to better serve Pennsylvania tech firms seeking international growth.

Over the next two years, the TechExport Initiative intends to work with at least 100 companies, said Claudia Garcia, TechExport Director.

TechExport will:

• Provide personalized export counseling assistance free of charge.

• Help companies access federal money under the Global Access Program,
up to $5,000 in matching awards for qualifying companies to offset cost
associated with international growth.

• Introduce companies to currently available export assistance.

• Link regional companies with the services offered by the 21 PA trade offices strategically located throughout the world.

• Set up an Expert Hotline to provide regulatory support about export compliance, international certifications and legal advice.

• Publish a bi-annual, statewide magazine to provide exporting information, success stories and market opportunities.

• Promote trade event development (trade missions and trade shows) and Organize education and training events.

Garcia said TechExport is open to any technology/manufacturing company across Pennsylvania, and services are free under the grant.

“I’m excited to learn about the needs of our companies,” said Garcia. One of the key challenges, according to Garcia, is the lack of companies understanding all of the resources available to help them export. DCED has 21 offices around the world with resources on the ground ready to help Pennsylvania companies expand into those respective markets.

According to federal International Trade Administration data, Pennsylvania companies exported $41 billion worth of goods last year, up 17 percent from the previous year. Top export categories include chemicals, machinery, metals, computers and electronics and transportation equipment.

Get more information on the TechExport Initiative by contacting Claudia Garcia at 412-918-4202 or cgarcia@pghtech.org.

Great Outdoors Week: Get Ready for the 10-Day Weekend!

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

Spring is in the air! And with Great Outdoors Week just around the corner, residents in southwestern Pennsylvania will soon have the opportunity to experience all the fun, relaxation, and adventure the great outdoors has to offer—for ten days straight.  Deemed the ten day weekend by some, the 11th annual Great Outdoors Week celebration is set for Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Promoted by the nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh and its outdoor recreation partners, Great Outdoors Week (GOW) highlights opportunities to participate in a variety of nature-related activities while showcasing the many outdoor amenities available inSouthwestern Pennsylvania.

“Of the sixty-plus events typically scheduled during Great Outdoors Week, some are family friendly, others are beginner-focused, and even others are geared towards intermediate or advanced enthusiasts,” said Ginette Walker Vinski, Communications Manager at Sustainable Pittsburgh.  “What is especially nice about Great Outdoors Week is that it offers a convenient introduction to folks who want to get involved in outdoor activities but may not have known where to start.”

GOW activities include bike rides, hikes, paddling/rowing, orienteering, running, bird watching, and much more.  Events continue to be added to the Walls are Bad activities calendar each day at wallsarebad.com.

Three signature events are part of GOW this year:

  • Friday, May 11 – Learn to Row and Paddle
  • Friday, May 18 – National Bike to Work Day/Car Free Fridays
  • Saturday, May 19 – Venture Outdoors Festival Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

These events are hosted by Three Rivers Rowing Association, Bike Pittsburgh, and Venture Outdoors respectively.  Below is an overview providing brief descriptions of each.

Organizers are planning a GOW Kickoff celebration on Wednesday, May 9 from 11am until 1pm inMarket Square– rain or shine.  During the lunchtime event, members of the public are invited to try out the Venture Outdoors climbing wall, visit table displays from a select number of outdoor recreation groups, practice loading bikes on a bus bike rack and listen to music from Scott Hall One Man Band.  A free raffle drawing will also be held.  Interviews with local outdoors experts and photos ops are available.

Great Outdoors Week promotes outdoor recreation as part of a healthy and sustainable community.  Outdoor recreation contributes to healthier lifestyles, helps attract and retain strong talent for the region, boosts the local economy, and fosters a sense of stewardship for this region’s parks, trails, and waterways.  Most importantly, outdoor recreation is accessible to everyone.  It’s simply a matter of stepping outside and experiencing the outdoors both in urban and rural areas.

Outdoor groups are encouraged to list their events at wallsarebad.com and help promote GOW via websites, list-servs, etc.  For more information on GOW, visit www.wallsarebad.com or call Sustainable Pittsburgh at 412-258-6646/412-258-6647.  The 2012 Great Outdoors Week media sponsor is 91.3fm WYEP.

Great Outdoors Week Signature Event Overview:

Friday, May 11 – Learn to Row and Paddle

2 sessions: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm and 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Three Rivers Rowing Association invites you to try rowing in their indoor tanks at their Millvale Boathouse. If weather permits, participants will also try out dragon boats on the river!  This is a free opportunity to learn the basics of rowing, paddling or both.  Space is limited.  Register by calling 412-231-8772 or visiting www.threeriversrowing.org/r-learntorow.html.

Friday, May 18 – National Bike to Work Day/Car Free Fridays Kickoff Event

Dust off your bike, leave the car at home, and ride to work! Coordinated by Bike Pittsburgh, this is a great opportunity to try bicycling to work. There will be Hydration Stations along key commuting corridors throughout the city. Bike Pittsburghvolunteers will hand out refreshments, SWAG bags, and Passports to participants. The Passports will be good for weeklong discounts at local businesses throughout the city. Hydration Stations will be open from 7:30am-9:30am. At 8:00am public officials will host a press event at a Hydration Station in the Portico at the City County Building.  This year bike commuters are also encouraged to participate in the Pittsburgh Bike Challenge that runs through August 31. Participants are encouraged to log all of their biking miles to earn points for a chance to win prizes and rewards for using a bike. For a complete list of Hydration Stations locations and more information about the Pittsburgh Bike Challenge please visit www.carfreefridays.org.

Saturday, May 19 – Venture Outdoors Festival Presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Bring your family and friends!  Come to this annual festival at PointState Park.  Try out kayaking with great views of the city. Take a bike ride or stroll around the Point. Try your hand at fishing. Relax and stretch in a free yoga class, or try to reach the top of our climbing wall.  Venture Outdoors makes it easy for you to get outside!  For more information call 412-255-0564 or visit www.ventureoutdoors.org/vofest.aspx.

Toon In: “It’s Geek 2 Me” Lands on the Pages of TEQ

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

Francis Cleetus

Pittsburgh cartoonist Francis Cleetus is a funny guy.

Cleetus’ humor transcends his hilarious “It’s Geek 2 Me” cartoon series that was recently compiled into a book, “Wish Your Mouth Had a Backspace Key.” Just talk with Cleetus for a few minutes and you’ll quickly discover that he finds humor everywhere and his easy-going personality processes it in a way like no one else.

Cleetus came to Pittsburgh about five years ago from Kentucky. Before that, he worked in Hong Kong and originally hails from India. His roots go deep into the creative and advertising industries, and he has conceived ad campaigns for the likes of HP, Philips, GE and more. Check out his portfolio at franciscleetus.com.

“It’s Geek 2 Me” started as a side project that has swelled into a mainstream success. Cleetus was inspired to create the cartoon when friends from around the world would send him e-mails recounting true stories of office antics that often involved technology and social media gone awry.

A snippet of "It's Geek 2 Me."

He’s developed a large and diverse cast of characters, like Ram Patel, Spam Murphy and Tweetsie Williams who work at the fictional Paradox Software in the heart of Pittsburgh on Smithfield St. A tech cartoon wouldn’t be legit if didn’t have an avid on-line following and fast-growing Facebook page/Twitter feed. It also has a free iPhone app to access the humor 24-7.

Now, you can find “It’s Geek 2 Me” in every issue of TEQ. The Pittsburgh Technology Council is excited to present a tech cartoon that details a fictional Pittsburgh tech company from a Pittsburgh cartoonist.

We hope that you enjoy his work as much as we do. Read more cartoons and get “Wish Your Mouth Had a Backspace Key” at geek-2-me.com.

Vivisimo Acquired: My Perspective from Startup to Tech Powerhouse

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

The sign on Vivisimo's headquarters in Squirrel Hill.

By Jonathan Kersting, jkersting@pghtech.org

The e-mail came across my desk around 9 a.m. Right from Raul. I couldn’t hardly believe my eyes. The subject line read : “IBM announces its intent to acquire Vivisimo.”

Raul Valdes-Perez, Co-Founder and Chairman of Vivisimo, said in the e-mail, “I thought to alert you personally about today’s news. http://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/info/vivisimo/ Thank you for encouraging me to start Vivisimo over coffee on Craig Street in 1999-2000, and for your ongoing support over the years.”

I was shocked and stoked to get the news a little bit before the other media and immediately posted to techburgher.com. I knew this day was coming. I actually thought that it might have come years earlier.

I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for both Raul and Vivisimo. As he reminded me in the brief e-mail (that’s Raul’s style) I first met him before the company was actually formed. We met for coffee at the old Kiva Han on Craig Street in Oakland. It was the spring of 2000 if my memory serves correct. Internet search was just starting to gain momentum and Raul was showing me how his technology could make Internet searches easier and more efficient by clustering and categorizing search results. It worked. It worked really well.

Soon after, a company was born. Vivisimo developed its Clusty technology to enable better searches on the Web and it also developed enterprise search technology for large organizations and governments to easily sift through massive and often disparate sources of data.

The company grew at a very controlled rate. One of Pittsburgh’s more quiet startups. It was exciting to visit Vivisimo’s first offices on Beechwood Boulevard. I would ride my bike past the unassuming offices almost every day, having no clue that a company was baking inside. My first visit revealed maybe a dozen people crammed inside. It was a true startup. Hustle and bustle everywhere. The first thing I told Raul was that he needed a sign.

For the TEQ article, I took a picture of the entire team around a Honda Accord with a Vivisimo vanity plate. I had big expectations for this company.

Vivisimo survived the ups and downs of the market by slowly growing. Raul wouldn’t take the immediate and seemingly obvious path of taking on venture capital to grow the company. I kept expecting news of Google gobbling them up.

It never happened. Instead Vivisimo opened offices in the heart of Squirrel Hill to accommodate its staff of 60 or so people. I was stoked at my first tour. Lots of open space, even a roof-top patio! Man, things were popping. A giant sign even graced the side of the building. I got goosebumps. I knew Vivisimo really made it!

The company kept growing, landing massive customers and winning countless awards. I then received more news. Raul was stepping down as CEO and moving to the Chairman of the Board spot. He brought in John Kealey to fill the CEO slot. He knew he needed someone to take the company to the next level. After interviewing John on TechVibe Radio, I knew the company was in good hands. I also knew the game was on to either take the company public or sell it.

I kept tabs on Vivisimo. Despite the wretched economy, the company kept growing. It was only a matter of time and that time has come. Just about 13 years in the making.

It’s really bittersweet for me. I’m so happy to see this success. I hope and pray that Vivisimo’s presence stays and grows in Pittsburgh. I love the churn of our tech sector and I know that more companies will come forth from this. I’m also sad that I won’t be able to watch Vivisimo grow as Vivisimo.

I hope that everyone sees the acquisition of Vivisimo as a plus for the region. I’ve heard plenty of naysayers over the years pout that Pittsburgh only grows companies that will be acquired. Pittsburgh is a place where solid tech companies can grow, generate wealth and move the proverbial needle forward. I don’t care if you are acquired, go public or remain a quiet private company. What matters is the Pittsburgh connection. I predict that more good will come from the acquisition of Vivisimo than we’ll ever know.

Congratulations to Raul and the entire team at Vivisimo. You made me and the entire region very proud!

 

 

 

 

 

Hot Seats! Chairs 4 Charity Event Underway

Posted on by Jonathan Kersting

Join PerLora and The Andy Warhol Museum in the Chairs 4 Charity event this spring. Perlora has gathered 7 of the area’s most talented artists to take paint to chairs for charity. Proceeds from the Auction of these chairs will go toward The Warhol’s children’s education, outreach, and collaboration programs.

Event Dates:

Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 6-8 pm
The Andy Warhol Museum Pre-Party $20 per ticket
Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, catered by The Warhol.
The chairs will be highlighted and displayed there, including a meet and greet with the artists.

Monday, May 7, 2012 from 6-9 pm, Dinner/Auction
$150 individual/$300 couple
There will be Hors D’oeuvres and a 3-course dinner for each table by local restaurants and caterers. This is a limited dinner engagement of 100 guests which will have the opportunity to bid on the 7 chairs. The dining tables will be designed by Perlora’s designers and one will be done by Larrimor’s in collaboration with the designated restaurant. Participating restaurants include: Avenue B, Spoon, Penn Avenue Fish, Tamari, Nine on Nine, Rania Catering, Legends, Luma, Ibiza.

Be sure to watch this video detailing the chairs and events.

Get tickets here. Now, check out these awesome chairs!