The Technical.ly Builders Conference is an annual two-day conference focused on local ecosystem building and the storytelling that supports it.
Hosted by the country’s leading ecosystem storytelling news organization, Builders brings together entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and those that support local entrepreneurial and tech-led economic and workforce development strategies.
Our tracks include Founder Fishbowls, in which early-stage entrepreneurs exchange best practices; lightning talks highlighting entrepreneurial ecosystems and workshops; and sessions on storytelling strategies that support entrepreneurship, workforce and other elements of local economic mobility, growth and opportunity.
Year-round, Technical.ly CEO and founder Chris Wink shares a weekly Builders newsletter and regular Linkedin Live series on these same topics. Entrepreneurship and technology-led economic development is changing, and the Technical.ly Builders Conference is a destination to understand and exchange how, with others who are doing the work.
Event Schedule – Day One- Ecosystem Storytelling
Science History Institute: 315 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
8:30 AM – Coffee & Breakfast
9:30 AM – Opening Session
- Technically’s Tech Economy Outlook
9:45 AM – Discussion
- The State of Ecosystem Storytelling
10:15 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Morning Sessions
- Ecosystem Building is a Job Now: Organizing, Connecting & Storytelling
- AI Tool Basics: Hands-on Workshop – Bring Your Laptop!
- Remote vs. Hybrid for Startups: Recruiting & Ecosystem Engagement
11:30 AM – Late Morning Sessions
- Ecosystem Storytelling: Establishing Standards for a Community of Practice
- AI Tools for Recruiting & Retaining Talent
- Honing Your Pitch: For Sales, Investors & Employees
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
1:00 PM – Afternoon Sessions
- Innovation is Everywhere: Storytelling Strategies for Emerging Markets
- AI Tools for Storytelling: For Places, Companies & Brands
- Early Stage Sales & Marketing: Finding Product-Market Fit
2:00 PM – Mid-Afternoon Sessions
- Podcasting: A Live Recording on How, When & Why Audio Tells Your Story
- AI Tools for Entrepreneurs & Early-Stage Teams
- Legal Trouble: Avoiding Common Startup Pitfalls
3:00 PM – Late Afternoon Sessions
- Digital Equity: How Storytelling Can Make Innovation More Accessible
- Workshop: How to Work with Independent Creators
- VC Roundtables: Telling Your Story to Investors
4:00 PM – Closing Sessions
- What Happens to DEI Strategies Now?
- What Does Real-World AI Regulation Look Like?
- M&A or IPO: What is Your Company’s Destination?
5:00 - 7:00 PM – Outdoor Reception & Networking
Event Schedule – Day Two- Economic Mobility
Comcast Technology Center: 1800 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9:30am: Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:00am: Discussion: Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility
10:45am: Discussion: Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility
11:30am: Special Guest and Discussion
