Invest PGH

06/17/2026

The Business of Child Care is a free, application-based entrepreneurial training program for start-up child care providers located within Allegheny & surrounding counties region, facilitated by the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE) in collaboration with Invest PGH.

The Business of Child Care participants receive:
· Tailored Child Care Business Curriculum
· One-on-One Coaching
· Entrepreneurial Education & Training through CWE
· One-year membership to CWE for immersive networking opportunities

The Business of Child Care Program Eligibility Criteria:
· Located within the Greater Pittsburgh region;
· Aspires to become a full-time child care provider;
· For-profit and nonprofit organizations;
· An entrepreneur who owns a majority stake in a child care business and is actively involved in the business's day-to-day operations;
· Willing to complete the eight-week training program with a mix of in person and online classes;
· Willing to complete interim and final program surveys

For entrepreneurs that launch their child care business within the City of Pittsburgh, additional resources are available including forgivable loans and below market rate term loans by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, and Invest PGH, who offers an industry specific forgivable loan program called Child Care Reinvestment Business Fund (CRiB).

The Business of Child Care Program Timeline:
August 3, 2026: Application Opens
August 11, 2026: Information Session; more sessions will be listed soon
September 4, 2026: Application Closes
September 11, 2026: The Business of Child Care Start-Up Cohort Finalized & Notified
September 22, 2026: First Session for The Business of Child Care Start-Up Fall Program

06/17/2026

The URA's partner Invest PGH offers forgivable, no-interest loans for licensed childcare businesses in the City of Pittsburgh through the Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund.

With the help of this program, businesses like Kristee Cammack's A Giving Heart are adding childcare spots for families who need it. A Giving Heart runs after-school programs with tutoring and dinner, summer meal programs with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and even collaborations with local groups like Venture Outdoors.

Supporting Kristee's vision and Pittsburgh families is a critical part of Invest PGH's work.

If you're interested in a childcare business loan, fill out the intake form on the URA's website: https://www.ura.org/pages/businesses-entrepreneurs

📷: Anna Brewer Productions

06/16/2026

From Certification to Contracts: Expanding Opportunities for Your Business

Monday, July 20, 2026
12:00 PM 1:00 PM

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of becoming a Certified Women, Veteran, or minority-owned business? Join Center for Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE) and theCRAFT at Chatham University to learn contract assistance and business certification programs and how your business can benefit from them. This informative webinar will provide you with an understanding of how best to use these programs to grow your business and give you the opportunity to hear from a few business owners in the region that have found success with these programs.

Register: https://www.cwe.chatham.edu/events/certificationwebina

06/16/2026

Take the Fear out of Funding: Smart Strategies to Access Capital

Tuesday, June 23, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Ascender
6401 Penn Avenue, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206

Ready to start or grow your business but intimidated by the funding process or how to approach an investor? Center for Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE) and Ascender are teaming up to bring you Take the Fear Out of Funding. This workshop gives small business owners a clear, practical roadmap to accessing capital with confidence. Learn how lenders and investors think, what funding options are available, and how to position your business for success, without the jargon or stress.

This event will be held in-person at Ascender.

Panelists include:
PNC, Neighborhood Community Development Fund, Citizens, Bridgeway Capital, and more!

Register: https://www.cwe.chatham.edu/events/fundingworkshop

06/15/2026

We’re proud to offer the Childcare Reinvestment Business (CRIB) Fund, a forgivable loan program designed to help new and existing childcare businesses thrive right here in the City of Pittsburgh. Whether you’re expanding your space, hiring staff, or strengthening daily operations, we’re here to invest in you.

The CRIB Fund offers:
🔹 $5,000–$20,000 forgivable loans
🔹 An additional $5,000 for completing sponsored training through Chatham University
🔹 Funding for working capital, payroll, scholarships, equipment, software, supplies, improvements & more
🔹 Access to free business education courses

Applying is simple:
1️⃣ Scan the QR code and hit “Jump In”
2️⃣ Connect with an Invest PGH or URA team member
3️⃣ Gather documents & prepare your application
4️⃣ Submit and get started!

Childcare providers are the backbone of our local economy, and we’re committed to helping this vital sector grow.

📧 Questions? Email us anytime at [email protected], or visit https://www.investpgh.org/crib

Let’s build a stronger childcare ecosystem together.

06/15/2026

06/11/2026

We want your input!

Every year, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh conducts a survey to hear from residents about their affordable housing needs in the City of Pittsburgh. This is your opportunity to inform how the City and the URA may use the Housing Opportunity Fund to better serve our city: ura.org/hof-survey-2027-english

06/10/2026

We were honored and delighted to have been invited to El Colibrí LLC's grand opening! We saw so many of our favorite people from the City of Pittsburgh, Polly and Esther clothing store, and pre-celebratory coffee from The Soft Spot PGH.

El Colibri is a women-owned Mexican restaurant that is resilient and authentic. Founded by a family with deep roots in both Mexico and Pittsburgh, the business draws directly from the lived experiences of its owners, who emigrated to the United States and have spent over two decades building their lives in our city. Rather than going with typical Tex-Mex, El Colibri features traditional Mexican dishes rooted in family recipes and everyday home cooking. El Colibri also sets itself apart by being entirely gluten-free and mostly vegan and vegetarian, which, despite popular perception, is common in working-class Mexican cuisine.

They're open all day with a buffet to start, and you can order from the menu starting at 5pm. If you're a fan of delicious flavor and authentic vibes, you need to check El Colibri out!

06/10/2026