FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: phillytechweek@1phl.org
PHILLY TECH WEEK 2026 RETURNS MAY 4–8, CELEBRATING "TECH FOR THE PEOPLE" IN AMERICA'S FOUNDING CITY DURING THE NATION'S 250TH YEAR
Birthplace of Modern Democracy Unites Its Tech Ecosystem Around a Vision as Foundational as the City Itself
Philadelphia, PA | April 2, 2026 - In a year when the United States marks its semiquincentennial, 250 years since Philadelphia's own Independence Hall gave the world a bold new experiment in self-governance, Philly Tech Week returns for its 16th year, May 4–8, 2026, under a theme that would have felt right at home in 1776: Tech for the People.
Organized by 1Philadelphia and powered by a growing community of founders, technologists, investors, and creatives, Philly Tech Week 2026 is more than a conference. It is a living, breathing, and engaging reminder that tech innovation happens everywhere, that the future is built by everyone, and that Philadelphia is where the world can see what "tech for the people" actually looks like.
"Philadelphia has always been the place where America's biggest ideas come to life," said Danae Mobley, executive director for 1Philadelphia. "In 1776, it was democracy. Now as the country celebrates its 250 years, Philadelphia is once again proving that the most powerful technology is the kind that belongs to all of us."
At the heart of PTW26 is a vision to ignite the spirit of Philadelphia by uplifting the city's neighborhoods, cultures, institutions, and companies. The community calendar, open to any organization, company, or individual, is deliberately designed to democratize participation, ensuring it represents the full breadth, depth, and diversity of a vibrant Philly tech community. With 50+ events and thousands of attendees expected across the week, PTW26 is as much a celebration of who is building the future as it is of what they are building.
Featured events this year include:
- The Startup Summit (May 6, 2026) at Ballers Philadelphia, spotlighting emerging trends and bringing together national thought leaders, founders, and investors. This half-day event will be hosted by 1Philadelphia and powered by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs.
- The Builders Conference (May 6-8, 2026) at CYTOPHL, Technical.ly's annual gathering for entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and place-based storytellers, and;
- The Closing Party (May 8, 2026) at Gather Food Hall: a festival-style celebration putting Philly's innovation ecosystem on full display across the city.
The Community Calendar remains open for event submissions through April 10th. Organizations and individuals interested in hosting an event are encouraged to submit at phillytechweek.com and help shape what "Tech for the People" means in their corner of the city.
1Philadelphia is proud to acknowledge a roster of supporters for this year's Philly Tech Week, including: Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, the City of Philadelphia, the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, JP Morgan, Halloran Philanthropies, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, CIC Philadelphia, and many others.
Two hundred and fifty years ago, Philadelphia declared to the world that power belongs to the people. This May, it will say so again.
To submit an event, register, or learn more, visit phillytechweek.com.
Members of the media are invited to join us for a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and innovate during Philly Tech Week 2026. Philly Tech Week image bank can be found here.
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About Philly Tech Week
Philly Tech Week is one of the country's longest- running innovation festivals, bringing together technology, innovation, and community in a weeklong celebration. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an emerging entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of tech, there's something for everyone at Philly Tech Week.
About 1Philadelphia
1Philadelphia is an initiative led by Coded by: focused on providing the support tech entrepreneurs need to launch and scale in Philadelphia. By connecting startups to capital, education partners, and resources, we help drive startup creation, increase private investment, and reinforce the city’s competitiveness in the national innovation landscape. 1Philadelphia aims to build a tech community where everyone can thrive.
