13-05-2025
Philadelphia's innovation community must lead the country's 250th anniversary. Here's how.
In 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years since its revolution. Nearly all cities and states will contribute something to the complex anniversary, but Philadelphia can lay claim to being that revolution's center.
The semiquincentennial is more than a chance to remember history and celebrate the present. It's an opportunity to imagine our future.
Fresh off the 15th annual Philly Tech Week, we at are kicking off our efforts to ensure this ecosystem leads that conversation — and we need your help. Below are three starting-gun ideas, and a pledge of our own.
If you're a founder, a technologist, a builder, a civic leader, or someone who cares about where this city is heading, we want you in. Fill out this short form to join the coalition.
Join the coalition!
Idea 1: Vision for the future
Over the past year, has been gathering feedback from Philadelphians on a collective, 250-word vision for what this city could look like in the year 2276. From neighborhood festivals to public salons, we've asked: What do we hope Philadelphia becomes in another 250 years?
You can read and respond to the working draft now at
By this fall, we'll finalize it — and next May, we plan to install this vision in permanent displays across the city, in neighborhoods and civic spaces, where it can spark conversation and pride for generations.
Idea 2: Shared launch
We're calling on every startup, established company, institution and organization with a stake in Philadelphia's future:
Let's launch something together.
We're challenging you to time a product release, announcement, campaign, report or milestone during Philly Tech Week 2026 (target May 4-8). Whether your users are local or global, tie your work to this moment. Let's demonstrate to the world that this region knows how to collaborate, celebrate and lead.
This is for everyone, from the scrappiest startup to the biggest employer in the region to companies HQ'd elsewhere that have a footprint in Philadelphia.
We want you to think boldly and time your announcement to PTW 2026. Let's flood the headlines.
Idea 3: Giant spectacle
Twelve years ago, with Drexel's Frank Lee, we helped play the world's largest video game on the side of the Cira Centre.
That spectacle defines what's possible when our community blends art, technology, and guts.
We're working on a return. Maybe it's Tetris again. Maybe it's something even wilder. But rest assured, we intend to go big, to remind this city (and the country) what creative innovation looks like when rooted in place.
Our pledge: 50 states, one week
just hosted our annual Builders Conference as the capstone of PTW. This year, we had attendees from 25 states. In 2026, we're setting our sights higher. We're pledging to bring entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders from all 50 states to Philadelphia next May.
To make all this happen, we'll need entrepreneurs, technologists, storytellers, organizers, sponsors, venues, creative minds and future thinkers. Want to help?
👉 Fill out the short form to get involved.
This is the heads up. You have 12+ months to plan. Let's make Philly Tech Week 2026 a global moment, grounded in a local legacy.
We started the revolution. Let's lead the future.
