3 Rivers Venture Fair

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 3 Rivers Venture Fair!

Two days filled with innovation, collaboration, and powerful conversations made this year’s event truly special. We’re grateful to our speakers, partners, sponsors, and attendees for making it such a success.

Relive the highlights and view the event photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCK7wS

Updated speaker for Session 5 at the 3RVF!

Using recent investments in H Quest Vanguard, Inc as a case study, the panel for session 5 of 3 Rivers Venture Fair will explore the topic of fundraising from strategic investors, with a focus on mechanics, benefits, and pitfalls. Themes to be addressed during the session:

-Customer Validation: Why pursue the strategic investor?
-Strategics vs. Financial VCs: What do strategics look for that financial investors don't, and vice versa?
-Strings attached: What do the strategies ask for beyond equity and how to navigate potential pitfalls?

Register now at 3rvf.com

The 2026 3 Rivers Venture Fair is almost here! Don’t miss two days of nonstop innovation, meaningful conversations, and powerful opportunities to connect with founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping what’s next.

This year’s program features two distinguished keynote speakers, Kevin Acklin and Zico Kolter, along with five timely and practical sessions:
-Data Privacy & AI Governance Policies: What to Expect When You Go to Market
-5 Tips for Building a Great Financial Model + Cash Flow Forecast
-Do It; Don't Do It - The Trails and Tribulations of Building a Successful Company
-What’s Hot in the AI Deal Market
-Fundraising with Strategics

Venture Connection will be featuring 90+ selected entrepreneurs. Our University Technology Showcase, is a unique opportunity to engage directly with up-and-coming innovators from Carnegie Mellon University, Lehigh University, and Penn State University.

Secure your spot now and be part of Pittsburgh’s premier innovation event: https://3rvf.com/

Join the conversation at 3RVF on Thursday as Session 4 takes a look at the latest deal trends, market momentum, and where investors and companies are focusing their attention.

Register now: https://3rvf.com/

Join us next Wednesday during 3RVF for Session 1 on “Data Privacy & AI Governance Policies: What to Expect When You Go to Market” as our panel will unpack what B2B companies need to know about data privacy and AI compliance when working with larger third parties, and how these requirements can shape your go-to-market strategy, especially in life sciences and healthcare.

Register today: https://3rvf.com/

During Venture Connection, we pair investors with up to a dozen screened and viable entrepreneurs who meet your financial, geographic and industry requirements. Our screening and pairing process is the reason why nearly $1 Billion has been invested in 3RVF companies.

Register today at https://3rvf.com/

We are excited to announce that our Selection Committee has selected 92 companies to participate in Venture Connection at the 2026 3 Rivers Venture Fair. These companies are looking to raise a collective $277,380,000 and participating in the 3RVF is where many of them will find it. Hailing from 14 states, Venture Connection represents a unique opportunity for participating investors to meet up to 24 unique ventures that are investment-ready.

View the 2026 3RVF entrepreneurs: https://3rvf.com/entrepreneurs

Register now: https://3rvf.com/

Using recent investments by Peoples Natural Gas and Goodyear Ventures in H Quest Vanguard as a case study, the panel for session #5 of 3 Rivers Venture Fair will explore the topic of fundraising from strategic investors, with a focus on mechanics, benefits, and pitfalls. Themes to be addressed during the session:

-Customer Validation: Why pursue the strategic investor?
-Strategics vs. Financial VCs: What do strategics look for that financial investors don't, and vice versa?
-Strings attached: What do the strategies ask for beyond equity and how to navigate potential pitfalls?

Register now at 3rvf.com

During session 2 next month’s 3 Rivers Venture Fair, our speakers from Book+Street will work through the key elements of building a great financial model and how this tool can help you tell your financial story to investors.

Michelle and Charles will use the model to work through all of the elements needed to accurately forecast your revenue and expenses under GAAP accrual basis accounting to give the most accurate view of your projected profitability, and provide you with an accurate view of your cash requirements to better understand the timing of your next funding round.

Register now at 3rvf.com.

Get ready for two days of nonstop innovation, big conversations, and even bigger opportunities during 3 Rivers Venture Fair.

Meet our 2026 Keynote Speakers:

Kevin Acklin - Shareholder at Stevens & Lee and Former Pittsburgh Penguins Executive & Civic Leader

Zico Kolter - Professor & Department Head of Machine Learning Department at CMU; Board Director at OpenAI & Qualcomm

Register today at https://3rvf.com/

The application window for the 2026 3 Rivers Venture Fair closes on Friday. Submit your’s today at https://3rvf.com/ for an opportunity to be matched you up with investors based on capital needs, industry, and more.

A special thank you to our current 2026 Three Rivers Venture Fair sponsors listed below. Their generous support makes it possible to deliver a dynamic event that brings leaders together to connect, invest, learn, and grow.

Interested in joining this distinguished group of sponsors? There is still time to be part of our 2026 sponsorship roster.

Contact Kelly Szejko or use this link to learn more about sponsorship opportunities:https://3rvf.com/3RVF-Sponsorship.pdf