title
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh works to support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurship across the City of Pittsburgh; and,
body
WHEREAS, there are multiple barriers to entrepreneurship, especially for women and people of color; and,
WHEREAS, Prototype PGH operates as a small-business incubator, with the goal of being the earliest-stage incubator possible, giving participants the opportunity to go on to more advanced incubators with greater knowledge on top of granting participants $500.00 for their endeavors; and,
WHEREAS, based in Oakland, Prototype PGH has been working to build gender and racial equity in technology and entrepreneurship in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
WHEREAS, celebrating their fifth birthday, Prototype PGH operates with all staff based in the City of Pittsburgh, with co-founder Erin Gatz being a graduate of Brashear High School; and,
WHEREAS, Prototype PGH provides affordable coworking spaces, affordable equipment training in laser cutting, three-dimensional printing, and vinyl cutting; and,
WHEREAS, Prototype PGH strives to enhance opportunities by subsidizing membership based on income, allowing 24-hour access to their equipment, and offering financial training workshops with supplemental information on starting a business or non-profit; and,
WHEREAS, the workshops offered by Prototype PGH are provided at a cost of no more than $10, originally utilizing grants from prestigious tech companies to provide them for free; and,
WHEREAS, Prototype PGH has engaged thousands of people over the past five years, providing them and their businesses invaluable support, and;
WHEREAS, Prototype PGH strives to provide a zero-barrier space to all citizens in the City of Pittsburgh, helping to develop our local economy and provide advancement opportunities to people of color, women, and feminists of all genders; and,
WHEREAS, this January, Prototype PGH celebrated their fifth anniversary since opening their doors to the people of Pittsburgh;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends Prototype PGH for their service in providing a safe and nurturing environment for all citizens to grow a business in the City of Pittsburgh, helping to build gender and racial equity; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, February 1, 2022 to be “Prototype PGH Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.