ABOUT
THE PVCA
MISSION STATEMENT
The Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association was founded in 1982 to catalyze venture investment and entrepreneurialism in Western Pennsylvania. Since then it has become the leading voice of private equity investors in the region.
Through a wide range of programs, the PVCA facilitates quality deal flow, encourages investor collaboration, and fosters important relationships with key service providers. Every major regional venture capital firm is represented in our membership, as well as numerous first-tier service providers.
Regional promotional activities include the 3 Rivers Venture Fair, regular networking events, a membership directory, and award ceremonies for successful regional entrepreneurs. All these activities aim to create a positive climate for venture capital in Western Pennsylvania.
THE PVCA AT A GLANCE
Who: The Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association (PVCA) is the leading voice of private equity investors in Western Pennsylvania and among the most prominent in the Mid-Atlantic region.
What: The PVCA works as an advocate for the venture capital industry and facilitates the flow of capital into promising ventures through networking luncheons, receptions, prominent events like the 3 Rivers Venture Fair and other activities that encourage discussions on topics pertaining to investment trends, financing, tax issues, IPOs and public policy issues.
Where our focus is Western Pennsylvania but our influence has expanded nationally through the high-profile 3 Rivers Venture Fair, which attracts more than 700 attendees, including some of the nation's most prominent investors and firms.
Age: Founded in 1982
Membership: 200, including every major venture capital firm in the region, as well as private investors, top-tier service providers and leaders in economic development.
PVCA HONOREES
For over two decades the PVCA has been celebrating individuals who have had a major impact on the venture community here in Western Pennsylvania. Our "Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year" award celebrates those who have built successful ventures in our region. Our "Lifetime Achievement", "Impact" & "Emerging Leadership" awards all celebrate individuals who have helped to foster & grow the venture community in our area. Past award winners are listed below.
2024 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
John Bares Carnegie Robotics |
Impact |
Jeremy Garvey Cozen O'Connor |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Luke Skurman Niche |
2023 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
Rich Lunak Innovation Works |
Impact |
Dave Mawhinney CMU Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Jorgen Pedersen Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp. |
2022 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
Yvonne Campos Next Act Fund |
Impact |
Babs Carryer Entrepreneur, coach, mentor, teacher, and author |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Susan Catalano Cognition Therapeutics |
2019 | |
Impact |
Ilana Diamond AlphaLab Gear |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
John Marous Tandem Life (Formerly Cardiac Assist, Inc.) |
Lifetime Achievement |
Jack Roseman Roseman Institute |
2018 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
Ron Bianchini Avere Systems, Spinnaker Networks, Scalable Networks & FORE Systems |
Outstanding Entrepreneurs |
Joe Ferrara & Norman Sadeh Wombat Security Technologies |
Impact |
Marc Malandro Chan Zuckerberg Initiative & Formerly of the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute |
2017 | |
Impact |
Catherine Mott BlueTree Ventures |
Lifetime Achievement |
Ashok Trivedi & Sunil Wadhwani iGate |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Jason Wolfe Giftcards.com |
2016 | |
Impact |
Rich Lunak Innovation Works/Riverfront Ventures |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Craig Markovitz Blue Belt Technologies |
Lifetime Achievement |
Gerald McGinnis Respironics, Inc. |
2015 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
Joel Adams Adams Capital Management |
Outstanding Entrepreneurs |
Rob Daley & Henry Thorne 4moms |
2014 | |
Outstanding Entrepreneurs |
Christine Robins, John Stivoric & Astro Teller Body Media, Inc. |
Emerging Leadership |
Joe Slezak KFMR |
Lifetime Achievement |
Dennis Yablonsky Allegheny Conference on Community Development |
2013 | |
Lifetime Achievement |
Bill Newlin Newlin Investment Company |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Raul Valdes-Perez Vivisimo, Inc. |
2012 | |
Outstanding Entrepreneur |
Dennis Ciccone Carnegie Learning |
Lifetime Achievement |
Don Jones Draper Triangle Ventures |
2011 | |
Outstanding Entrepreneurs |
Michael Bozik, M.D., Gregory Hebrank, M.D., M.B.A. & Thomas Petzinger, Jr. Knopp Biosciences |
Lifetime Achievement |
Frank Demmler Innovation Works |
2010 Lifetime Achievement | |
James Colker - CEO Venture Fund | |
2009 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Gerald McGinnis - Respironics, Inc. | |
2008 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Pete DeComo - Renal Solutions Inc. | |
2007 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Stanley Blaylock - Medmark, a Walgreen Specialty Pharmacy | |
2006 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Roger Byford - Vocollect, Inc. | |
2005 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Lawrence Rhoades - Ex One Corporation - Extrude Hone Corp. | |
2004 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Ron Bianchini - Spinnaker Networks | |
2003 Outstanding Entrepreneurs | |
Francois Bitz, Eric Cooper, Thomas Gill & Michael Green - FORE Systems, Inc. | |
2002 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Chris Allison - Tollgrade Communications, Inc. | |
2001 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Steve Heilman - Lifecor, Inc. & Vascor, Inc. | |
2000 Outstanding Entrepreneurs | |
Sam Kinney & Glen Meakem - FreeMarkets | |
1999 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Sean McDonald - McKesson Automated Healthcare | |
1998 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Jarod Cohon - Carnegie Mellon University | |
1997 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Steve Heilman - Medrad | |
1996 Outstanding Entrepreneur | |
Don Jones - International Cybernetics | |
1995 Outstanding Entrepreneurs | |
Ashok Trivedi & Sunil Wadhwani - Mastech |