Pittsburgh, PA - Kit Needham, director of Project Olympus, hosted the 26th iteration of the Project Olympus Show & Tell event on Thursday. The gathering aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity among entrepreneurial talents in Pittsburgh by opening its doors to all students, graduates, alumni, and faculty at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a prestigious research institution.
During the event, twelve CMU-affiliated startup founders presented their companies' objectives as well as how they plan to address various challenges or problems through commercialization. Attendees listened intently as each founder outlined their innovative solutions that could potentially transform different sectors within Pittsburgh's economy.
Yvonne Campos concluded the presentations with an insightful speech focusing on how Pittsburgh's innovation ecosystem has evolved over the years. She noted that while there have been significant improvements in terms of acceptance and diversity for individuals often left out of such conversations, more work still needs to be done.
The intentional efforts made by Project Olympus towards inclusivity are part of a growing trend at CMU which aims to bring more outsiders into its innovation community. By creating opportunities for underrepresented groups within this space, leaders hope not only to foster greater collaboration but also drive substantial change across various industries.
In an interview following her presentation, Yvonne Campos stated: "It is essential that we continue working towards creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and can contribute their unique ideas and perspectives." She added that events like Project Olympus Show & Tell play a crucial role in achieving this goal by providing a platform for diverse voices.
Kit Needham echoed these sentiments when discussing his vision for future events: "Our objective is not just about showcasing our talented entrepreneurs but also about breaking down barriers so people from different backgrounds can learn from one another."
As word spreads about successful gatherings like this past week's Project Olympus Show & Tell, it is expected that more institutions will follow CMU's lead and prioritize inclusivity in their innovation communities. The hope is that these efforts will contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pittsburgh which benefits from the unique perspectives of all its members.