Our Story

Thrival Festival started in 2013, with one goal: to shine a light on the important ideas, products and entrepreneurs that are fueling Pittsburgh’s 21st century economic resurgence.

In the years since Thrival’s start, the festival continues to grow, welcoming a diverse range of speakers and musical acts to the city of Pittsburgh. Thousands of business leaders, founders, funders, creatives, thinkers and educators have come together to learn, collaborate and share. We open up the city to explore both new and old spaces for art encounters, performances, breakout sessions and workshops.

Thrival is produced by Ascender, a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving early stage startups, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives of all forms — people who we refer to as “starters” and “builders.” We have an 11,000 square foot space in East Liberty that serves as co-working, a business incubator, and program space for free entrepreneurial education. Proceeds from Thrival go to support Ascender and its “Start/Build” community.