IN Norwin Fall 2017 | Page 35

C elebrating its fifth year, the Thrival Innovation + Music Festival is gearing up for what promises to be another year of spectacular events. The Thrival Innovation + Music Festival is an annual, Pittsburgh-based event featuring multiple days of innovation-focused programming capped by a two-day outdoor live music experience. The festival started in 2013 as an initiative of Ascender (known then as Thrill Mill), and was founded by CEO Bobby Zappala, Chairman Luke Skurman and a group of their friends. The original concept started even further back—almost 10 years ago—when this group started a neighborhood barbecue that served as an informal party for young Pittsburghers, raising funds for local startup companies. This yearly block party eventually transformed into a nonprofit, now called Ascender, a “start/build” hub that offers an incubator program for early-stage entrepreneurs, co-working space and free community programs—and Thrival. Ascender produces Thrival as the organization’s flagship initiative that promotes and celebrates Pittsburgh’s innovation and creative ecosystems. It has two parts: Thrival Innovation and Thrival Music. “Thrival is a Pittsburgh creation,” says director Dan Law. “It has grown and scaled over the years with the support of Pittsburghers, and it now welcomes attendees from over 30 states and multiple countries.” This year’s Thrival Innovation will be held in Pittsburgh’s East End on Sept. 27 and 28 at the Ace Hotel, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Bakery Square and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Thrival Innovation will feature two full days of programming and events centered on “Intelligence: Humans X Tech,” focusing on the relationship between humans and technology. Thrival Music will be held at Carrie Furnaces on Sept. 29 and 30. “The Carrie Furnaces site is Continued on next page > CHVRCHES Norwin | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 33