How often do you take the time to invest in yourself, especially if you're consistently labeled as "underrepresented"?

StartOut welcomes BIPOC, LGBTQ+ founders and allies to connect in a space designed to uplift diverse identities.

This networking and professional development event is to represent the underrepresented entrepreneurs out there; particularly those that are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, people of color and our allies/supporters. Breakout rooms with discussion moderators will lead safe-space conversations for how to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive, challenges people of color experience while fundraising, leading/building an authentically diverse team, and how to activate your allyship to diverse founders.

Join our expert panel for a conversation about investing in BIPOC Founder-led companies. We will examine motivations for investing and what factors you should consider. What investment opportunities exist and how you can get started. Most importantly, whether you plan to invest or not, we will discuss why it is so important to support BIPOC Founders.

Working together we can level the playing field.

Date: Wed, Nov 10 2021, 4:30-5:30pm PT

Panelists: Marceau Michel, Founder, Black Founders Matter Melanie Strong, Founding Partner, Next Ventures Nitin Rai, Managing Partner, Elevate Capital Kate Delhagen, Founder, Oregon Sports Angels

Facilitator: Andy Robbins, Founder, Oyster

Registration: Free

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

The wise video game director of “Tell Me Why,” Florent Guillaume said, “...authentic representation was crucial, in part, because video games can put you in the shoes of characters that you don't necessarily relate to.” Gaming is a big industry. With representation from all over the world, it takes more than just code to represent the authenticity of a character within a game. It also means that the people creating it are well represented in order to provide as accurate a representation of the cultures and behaviors enacted within a game.

Join PDXWIT for this panel discussion to learn more about how game acculturation is changing the gaming industry and what it takes to create characters and stories that you and I can relate to in a virtual environment.

Facilitated by Crystal Sincoff and Hazel Valdez, you will hear from Kate Edwards, Executive Director of Global Game Jam, as well as game developers including Lauren Lizardo and Zach Deocadiz as they discuss what’s happening in the gaming industry today.

You will also hear from our host and find out if they have open positions.

Agenda: 12:00 p.m. - Event opens/networking 12:05 p.m. - Introductions 12:10 p.m. - Panel discussion begins 12:50 p.m. - Q&A 1:00 p.m. - Event ends

Purpose: PDXWIT is building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling inequities and fueling belonging. Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

A new year is upon us and with that often comes a financial check in. Join PDXWIT, Simple X, and First Tech Federal Credit Union for industry tips exploring the basics of getting your finances in order.

During the first half of the presentation, we’ll share how to build a plan for getting out of debt and how to save in ways that fit your budget. . The second half of the presentation will focus on ways to secure your financial future that go beyond saving a little bit every month.

We recognize that not everyone has had the opportunity or means to save, and that the financial sector has historically been set up to benefit existing racial and class hierarchies. We will spend some time touching on these important themes, and the myths that back them, during the event.

Agenda: 12:00 p.m. - Event opens/networking 12:05 p.m. - Introductions 12:10 p.m. - Presentation begins 12:50 p.m. - Q&A 1:00 p.m. - Event ends

Purpose: PDXWIT is building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling inequities and fueling belonging. Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

Our career successes don’t happen in a vacuum. During this Black History & Futures Happy Hour, we’ll explore the vital role that community and networks play in the career journey.

We will feature dynamic lightning talks by Dr. Amber Lenon, Astrophysicist and Data Analyst at iRobot, as well as Tanisha Payne, Software Engineer at Puppet. We’ll also highlight some Black-led organizations in the PNW and beyond.

In keeping with the theme of community, this month we’ll be holding more space for community networking–but you don’t have to wait until then to meet someone new! Connect with folks in the chat throughout the event as well.

P.S. If you were hoping to meet with recruiters, check back next week for Job Board LIVE!

We will have ASL interpretation and closed captioning throughout. Please get in touch at [email protected] with any additional accessibility needs you may have.

Hope to see you there!

Join our Slack channel to continue the conversation: http://pdxwit.org/slack Get in touch: [email protected]

Agenda: 12:00 p.m. - Event opens 12:03 p.m. - Introductions + Announcements 12:10 p.m. - Guest speakers + Women in Tech History 12:35 p.m. - Face-to-Face Networking/On-camera networking 1:00 p.m. - Event ends

We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling barriers and fueling belonging.

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

PDXWIT Job Board Live: The networking event that comes to you!

Are you ready to get hired up?!? Then this event is for you. PDXWIT’s Job Board LIVE is tailor-made to help you find the career of your dreams.

We’ll get you fired up with a lightning talk, then companies with open roles on the PDXWIT job board will share their open positions (local and remote) during our Recruiter Roll Call. You’ll have a chance to chat with them in breakout rooms after the presentation, so bring your questions, your professional statements, and be ready to share your brilliant skills and qualifications.

And don’t forget to bring your up-to-date resume! We’ll have a team dedicated to reviewing resumes so you can make an even better impression. .

In order to create a productive and thoughtful space, we are limiting capacity to the first 50 attendees.

We will have ASL and live closed captioning for this event. Please reach out to [email protected] with any additional accessibility needs you have.

Agenda: 12:00 p.m. - Event Begins 12:03 p.m. - Intros, Announcements, Lightning Talk 12:10 p.m. - Recruiter Roll Call 12:20 p.m. - Breakout Rooms (Recruiter and Networking) 1:00 p.m. - Event Ends

Mission: We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling barriers and fueling belonging. Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

PDXWIT Job Board Live: The networking event that comes to you! This time we’re partnering with Simple X to bring you even more amazing talks and employment opportunities.

Are you ready to get hired up?!? Then this event is for you. PDXWIT’s Job Board LIVE is tailor-made to help you find the career of your dreams.

We’ll get you fired up with a lightning talk, then companies with open roles on the PDXWIT job board will share their open positions (local and remote) during our Recruiter Roll Call. You’ll have a chance to chat with them in breakout rooms after the presentation, so bring your questions, your professional statements, and be ready to share your brilliant skills and qualifications.

In order to create a productive and thoughtful space, we are limiting capacity to the first 60 attendees.

We will have ASL and live closed captioning for this event. Please reach out to [email protected] with any additional accessibility needs you have.

Agenda: 12:00 p.m. - Event Begins 12:03 p.m. - Intros, Announcements, Lightning Talk 12:10 p.m. - Recruiter Roll Call 12:20 p.m. - Breakout Rooms (Recruiter and Networking) 1:00 p.m. - Event Ends

Mission: We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling barriers and fueling belonging.

Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.

Registration through Zoom is required to gain entry to this virtual event

ASL interpretation and closed captioning throughout. Please email [email protected] with additional accessibility needs.

This is a community event, if you’re a job seeker hoping to meet with recruiters, register for Job Board LIVE as well!

This month we are exploring the ways in which tech can benefit from collaborative leadership and we’re looking to other local community organizations for inspiration. Join long-time PDXWIT volunteers Anusha Neelam and Zhou Fang as we dive into this topic.

We’re excited to have our friends Allie Yee and Kim Lepin from APANO (Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon) kick us off with lighting talks! They’ll share stories about what collaborative leadership means to them, and how it’s helped make their organization’s work more impactful. We’ll hold space for community networking in breakout rooms after the main event, but you don’t have to wait until then to meet someone new! Connect with folks in the chat throughout the event.

Hope to see you there!

Agenda:

12:00 p.m. - Event opens

12:03 p.m. - Introductions + Announcements

12:10 p.m. - Guest speakers + Tech Innovator Spotlight

12:35 p.m. - Face-to-Face Networking/On-camera networking

1:00 p.m. - Event ends

We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling barriers and fueling belonging.

Join our Slack channel to continue the conversation: http://pdxwit.org/slack

Get in touch: [email protected]

Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our mission are welcome.

Registration through Eventbrite required.

PDXWIT Get Hired Up: The networking event that comes to you! ASL interpreters will be onsite.

Are you ready to get hired up?! Then this in-person event is for you. PDXWIT has teamed up with Autodesk for an in-person (!) event focused on connecting job seekers with open roles. Recruiters, hiring managers, and internal community leaders will be onsite to connect about open positions at the company.

We’ll get you fired up with a short presentation from PDXWIT and the Autodesk team. Then we invite you to mingle on the 6th floor of the beautiful Autodesk building in inner southeast Portland. You’ll have a chance to chat with recruiters and hiring managers while enjoying snacks, dessert, and drinks with a 360 view of our city.

Please have your resume ready to send and your LinkedIn profiles up to date!

In order to create a productive and thoughtful space, we are limiting capacity to the first 125 attendees.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any additional accessibility needs you have.

Not quite ready for an in person event but still want to connect with companies that are hiring? Join us for Job Board Live on May 12th!

Agenda: 4:00 p.m. - Event Begins/Please mingle with recruiters 4:45 p.m. - PDXWIT and Autodesk Intros 6:00 p.m. - Event Ends

Mission: We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling barriers and fueling belonging.

Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.

Safety Measures:

It’s been awhile since PDXWIT produced an in-person event. The safety of our community is our highest priority. See below for safety protocols and requirements.

COVID Safety FAQ:

Q: Will masks be required in indoor spaces? Will masks be required outside? Will hand sanitizer be provided and plentiful? A:

Masks are optional. There are several outdoor spaces at the venue.

Hosts will provide plentiful hand sanitizer.

We will ask all attendees to certify that they are vaccinated.

Event FAQ

Q: Will there be gender neutral restrooms? A: Yes

Q: Is the space ADA accessible? A: Yes, volunteers will be outside of the building helping attendees with accessibility needs.

Q: Will there be food and drink at this event? A: Yes!

Q: What is the parking situation? A: Street parking nearby. Shuttles and public transportation nearby as well. More info to come.

Q: Is there any special information that might help me find the entrance? A: The entrance in on Ankeny. PDXWIT volunteers will be out front with green shirts on.

Q: Is there secured bike parking? A: Outdoor racks, and limited indoor.

Q: Should I consider using public transportation? A: Autodesk is located near public transportation. Please use your own judgment when deciding to take public transportation.

Q: Can I bring my dog? A: No, sadly.

Registration through Zoom required.

When we think about the queer community we think about those amazing people that bring us all together. From LGBTQ+centric organizations to leaders who love to create connections, we want to celebrate their work and continue to build an even broader community!

PRIDE is every day and we want you to join PDXWIT as we come together to celebrate how love will keep us together!

Facilitated by Crystal Sincoff and Hazel Valdez, we’ll hear from Salome Chimuku, DeAngelo Crane, and Katy Byrtus in this inclusive panel.

Agenda: 5:00 p.m. - Event opens/networking 5:05 p.m. - Introductions 5:10 p.m. - Panel discussion begins 5:50 p.m. - Q&A 6:00 p.m. - Event ends

Purpose:

We are building a better tech industry by creating access, dismantling inequities and fueling belonging.

Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our mission are welcome.

A free, virtual networking opportunity for Black startup founders around the US, organized by Accenture and PIE (https://piepdx.com)

Join Accenture for an exciting networking event for tech founders. Connect with Black founders, investors, and Accenture industry experts from across North America.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Charlton McIlwain

Author of the recent book, Black Software: The Internet & Racial Justice, From the Afronet to Black Lives Matter, Dr. Charlton McIlwain is Vice Provost for Faculty Development & Engagement at New York University, and Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU Steinhardt. He works at the intersections of computing technology, race, inequality, and racial justice activism. He has served as an expert witness in landmark U.S. Federal Court cases on reverse redlining/racial targeting in mortgage lending, and recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services about the impacts of automation and artificial intelligence on the financial services sector. He writes regularly for outlets such as The Guardian, Slate's Future Tense, MIT Technology Review and other outlets about the intersection of race and technology. McIlwain is the founder of the Center for Critical Race & Digital Studies, is the President of the Board for Data & Society Research Institute, heads NYU’s Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and is NYU’s Designee to the Public Interest Technology University Network.

Founders attending this event will have the opportunity to...

• Meet Kathy Ross and Dujon Smith, leads of the Accenture Black Founders Development Program
• Hear about recent Accenture Ventures start-up investments and our FY23 goals
• Participate in peer-to-peer networking with founders and investors from across North America

Peer-to-Peer networking hosted on Mixtroz (https://www.mixtroz.com/).