​Innovate in PA 2.0 — A Civic Working Session

​Pennsylvania has an innovation budget line item called Innovate in PA 2.0. Sounds exciting. Nobody can tell you exactly who gets the money, how much reaches actual founders, or what the outcomes are. Classic.

​The data is clear: founders in southwestern Pennsylvania currently see roughly 25 cents of every dollar appropriated in their name. The position is that number should be 75 cents. But we're not asking for that overnight.

​Over the past couple months, if you've been following my work, I've been making the case for five specific ideas to state representatives, state senators, and members of the House Appropriations Committee:

1. A Direct Capital Ratio that measures how much of every state innovation dollar actually reaches founders.

2. A First Customer Mandate requiring intermediaries that accept taxpayer dollars to broker paid pilots with local startups.

3. An Angel Investor Tax Credit to pull more early capital into Pennsylvania companies.

4. A statewide SBIR/STTR Match Fund with no intermediary discretion.

5. Venture Fund Floor so state-backed funds can't bury the money.

These aren't hypotheticals.

​Who should be in this room:

​Founders. Operators. Economists. Policy researchers. Designers. Legislative staffers. Journalists. Anyone who has studied, administered, received, applied for, or been denied funding through any of these four programs.

​And yes — if you work at BFTP, a Life Sciences Greenhouse, the Venture Investment Program, or the Commonwealth Financing Authority, you are welcome here too. We'd rather have your voice in the room than your lobbyist in Harrisburg.

​Schedule

​Flexible starting at 11AM

​When

​June 20, 2026

​Where

​Field Day • 3706 Butler Street