PNC Bank is partnering with the Pittsburgh chapter of the Founders Institute to offer free fellowships for women and minority entrepreneurs, who traditionally receive less than 3% of venture capital investments annually.
Through the program, PNC will fund several fellowships for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Institute fellowships ordinarily cost about $900 and require a minimum 20-hour per week commitment.
Randy Eager and Greg Coticchia, CEO of Sopheon, opened the Pittsburgh chapter of Silicon Valley-based Founder Institute in 2018. Since then, entrepreneurs from 11 industries have participated in institute programs, including a surgeon who was developing a simulation device used to practice surgical procedures.