What are the benefits of being a Forum member?
Members are able to attend MIT Enterprise Forum events. We send notices and announcements concerning our programs to the Membership a few weeks in advance of each event. We don’t publish or sell our mailing list, so marketers won’t besiege you.

What does it cost to join the MIT Forum of Pittsburgh?
There is no cost to become a Member of the MIT Enterprise Forum. Event fees are $25 ($10 for a student).

How do I become a member?
Becoming a Member of the MIT Enterprise Forum is easy. To be included, update or be removed from our database juse send us an e-mail or give us a call.

If I register as a Member am I automatically registered for the events?
No. Registering as a Member puts you on our mailing list to receive notices and announcements concerning our program and events. We would like you to pre-register for each event so that we can anticipate the size of the audience.

What are the different types of events?
The MIT Enterprise Forum puts on 10 to 12 events per year. We generally put on approximately 6 Traditional Forums, 2 Networking events and 3 Downlinks. Our program is designed to promote the growth of innovative business by encouraging interaction and information exchange among our members - entrepreneurs, business persons and investors.

What is a Traditional Forum?
Traditional Forums bring together many of the region’s top high-tech minds in a unique forum that showcases the business plans of local start-ups, along with their proposed growth strategies. As part of the presentation, a panel of business experts then offers their own critique/analysis of the strategy before an audience of other entrepreneurs, financiers and other high-tech executives.

What is a Networking event?
Once or twice a year we have events designed to promote more intensive audience interaction and participation. In the spring of 2001 we put on an event where entrepreneurs in the audience could make a 90-second pitch to a panel of VC and Angel investors who would then offer their comments and criticisms on the presentation. We plan to put on more events of this type in the future.

What is a Downlink?
The MIT Enterprise Forum headquarters in Cambridge puts on three events per year where a nationally renowned speaker or panel takes on a topic or issue of significance for entrepreneurs. These events are broadcast live by satellite to the local MIT Enterprise Forum chapters who participate interactively during the Q&A segment of the program.

What does it cost to attend an event?
Event fees are $25 (student fees are $10).

Why should I become a volunteer?
Volunteer if you want to exchange business experiences and further the success of entrepreneurs in our region. The Forum is a great way to give to the community while learning about the New Economy.

What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
Two kinds of volunteer activities are welcomed. One involves participating in a Forum event and the second involves helping us to improve our outreach.

How do I become a volunteer?
Contact us at contact@mitforumpgh.com and let us know how you would like to participate. Alternately you are welcome to discuss Forum volunteer opportunities with any of our Board Members.

Do volunteers get to attend MIT Forum events for free?
Yes.

I have only a limited amount of time. How can I contribute?
We need people with their ears to the ground of the New Economy. Spot an emerging issue or industry that you think we should address in an upcoming program and let us know. If you are aware of a company who would like to sponsor us, we would love to hear from you.

What kinds of sponsorship opportunities are available?
The MIT Enterprise Forum has two types of sponsors - Sustaining Sponsors and Event Sponsors. We are a qualified 501 (c) (3) organization. All our sponsors receive recognition on invitations, program guides and the website as well as the gratitude of the regions entrepreneurial community.

What is a Sustaining Sponsor?
Sustaining Sponsors make a sizeable grant to the Forum and enter into a partnering relationship whereby the parties share information and promote the Forum program to the Sponsor’s constituency. Sustaining sponsors also receive a seat on MIT Enterprise Forum Board and help us develop our strategic plan for carrying our mission to be a resource for entrepreneurs and the region.

What is an Event Sponsor?
Event Sponsors make a $2,500 contribution and become the featured sponsor at one of the eight Forum events where the Sponsor can pass out literature and be a featured element of the networking portion of the event as well as receive additional recognition from the podium. The Event Sponsor also assists the Forum in promoting the event to the Sponsor’s constituency.

What companies are supporting the MIT Enterprise Forum of Pittsburgh?
Innovation Works is a Sustaining Sponsor.

How do I become a sponsor?
Contact us at contact@mitforumpgh.com and tell us your interest and we’ll call you.

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