Thursday Gathering
You belong at Venture Café. Yes, you.
Meaningful ideas and big changes are sparked when serendipitous connection collides with intention. Every week at our flagship program, the Thursday Gathering, we connect creators, entrepreneurs, investors, coworkers, students and visionaries to build strong, inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PAST EVENTS

No matter your industry, aspirations or background, there’s a place and a purpose for you at Venture Café. 

You belong at Venture Café. Yes, you. 

We believe that innovation is a process to improve the human condition. Every week at Venture Café, we connect creators, entrepreneurs, investors, coworkers, students and visionaries to build strong, inclusive, equitable innovation ecosystems in cities throughout the world. We believe that meaningful ideas and big changes are sparked when serendipitous connection with intention, so we provide you with high-touch programming, engaging meeting spaces, expansive storytelling opportunities and digital learning environments that reduce barriers and enable the greatest impact. 

So, welcome! We can’t wait to meet you.

Our Credo
Make yourself at home
Be welcoming and friendly… and help keep the place tidy.
Be inclusive
The community thrives because we welcome participants without regard to color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or disability.
Be interested
Learn about other guests’ projects, explore new perspectives, consider the absurd. Ask yourself how can I help?
Connect responsibly
We are not a bar, this is not a happy hour. If you think it is, you are in the wrong place.
No hard sales!
Innovation is about top level thinking, not bottom line outcomes. Focus on building relationships that will last.
Have fun!
Challenge yourself to think outsides of your norms and grow. Be willing to provide constructive feedback and share your ideas.
Testimonials
“Venture Café offers a unique intersection of Informed voices from science, entrepreneurship, social outreach, & community development. A listener or a participant alike is never bored and always engaged!”
Marie Nahikian
Community Organizer, Affordable Housing Developer
“Venture Café has become the Philadelphia innovation community’s town hall, where both the opportunities and challenges of the moment, and their impact on our future, are always discussed. It’s hard NOT to learn something on a Thursday at Venture Café.”
Jason Bannon
Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
“Venture Café is such a great way to connect with entrepreneurs. As someone representing the angel community, I’ve especially enjoyed the Startup Roundtable sessions. People are making connections, and giving and getting support in a truly organic way.”
Ellen Weber
Executive Director, Robin Hood Ventures and Mid-Atlantic Diamond Ventures
“Venture Café bridged the culture gap during COVID and beyond. Philadelphia artists owe the University City Science Center (UCSC) a debt of gratitude for enriching our quarantine lives! UCSC holds a special place in my heart. As a past BioArtist artist in residence, their impact is powerful and meaningful!”
Deirdre Murphy
Independent Artist and Educator
“In my two years attending Venture Café, each Thursday Gathering has had the same warm and welcoming vibe, making me feel like a valued attendee every time I walk through the doors or enter the zoom room. I know each Thursday I can look forward to a diverse slate of programming that will challenge me to think outside the box, and introduce me to new concepts that challenge me to view Philadelphia and my community through a different lens each week.
Grace Powers
Event Coordinator, CIC Philadelphia
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