Pittsburgh’s best in tech: Vote in the 2024 Technical.ly Awards

From cutting-edge AI tools to groundbreaking space exploration, 2024 is shaping up to be another exciting year for Pittsburgh’s tech and innovation scene. 

Here at Technical.ly, we’re celebrating the year by highlighting the people, products and programs that have made the biggest impact on our local ecosystem. With so much happening, we need your help to determine which innovators truly stand out.

Whether it’s a startup making waves in robotics, an educator shaping the next generation of tech leaders or a new initiative driving economic growth, this year’s nominees are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. 

We curated these picks from community nominations and our own reporting, but now it’s all up to you. Voting is open through Nov. 18, and winners will be announced the week of Thanksgiving.

Take a look at this year’s nominees below, and cast your vote for the innovators and changemakers who inspire you! 

Product of the Year

Think of this as the Sliced Bread Award: The technology product, service or upgrade from your market that had the most impact this year in society at large.  

• Duolingo Video Call — This artificial intelligence-powered tool, announced at Duocon in September, allows users to develop their speaking skills by talking with one of the company’s popular characters, Lily, via video chat. The technology behind Video Call is designed to simulate natural dialogue and provide a personalized, interactive practice environment for users of any skill level, allowing them to better communicate effectively in real-world situations. 
• Looking Glass app — Looking Glass is an augmented reality (AR) platform that brings Pittsburgh’s Black history to life. Developed by creative technologist Adrian Jones, the app overlays interactive historical content onto real-world locations, allowing users to explore key people, places, and events in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood. By using AR technology, Looking Glass transforms ordinary spaces into immersive storytelling experiences, where users can access detailed historical narratives. 
• Peregrine Mission One — Astrobotic was the first commercial space vendor to launch a mission to the moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar payload Services initiative. Astrobotic successfully launched the Peregrine Lander, carrying a variety of scientific payloads, in January. While the lander did not successfully reach the moon, multiple NASA payloads were able to collect data while in flight. 
• Velo AI’s Copilot — Copilot is a bike safety system that uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to detect hazards, like nearby vehicles or obstacles. The device easily attaches to a bike or helmet and provides real-time alerts through audio or visual cues, helping cyclists react quickly and avoid accidents. Clark Haynes, CEO and founder of Velo AI, was motivated to create the device when he took up biking and noticed how perilous roads can be for cyclists. 

Educator of the Year

Who’s the Madam C.J. Walker of your community? The person, program or organization that made the greatest strides in helping people or companies in the local innovation community become more knowledgeable and aware.

• The Assemble team — Located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, Assemble is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to providing hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education for people of all ages. Founded by Nina Barbuto, the organization aims to inspire creativity and foster critical thinking by offering interactive workshops and programs. Assemble connects local students with mentors, educators and artists, creating opportunities for personal and academic growth, particularly for underserved communities.
• Unified Robotics — This program promotes inclusivity by bringing together neurotypical and neurodiverse students to design, build and program robots. Teams work collaboratively to compete in a December robotics competition, developing STEM skills, teamwork and problem-solving. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations in the Pittsburgh metropolitan region, the program empowers students of all abilities to explore technology in a hands-on environment.
• Aaron Morris — Morris is roboticist and serial entrepreneur, with a Ph.D. in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. He currently teaches courses at CMU, helping aspiring founders navigate the challenges of building and funding a startup. Known for his endless positivity, problem-solving skills and ability to offer fresh perspectives, Morris is guiding students to become the entrepreneurs of the future. 
• CodeJoy — This education technology startup recently launched a course to teach educators about artificial intelligence. The course aims to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI into their classrooms. By focusing on practical application for teachers, CodeJoy’s new programming makes AI more accessible and relevant for educators. 

Program of the Year

What brought all the buzz this year?The activation or effort that was the most memorable, touched the most people or made the most difference in the local innovation community.

• AlphaLab Health — This life sciences accelerator program was originally developed in 2020 by Innovation Works and Allegheny Health Network. Earlier this year, the program received an anonymous donation of $10 million to create a Health Revolving Investment Fund to support startups in the Pittsburgh area. The program estimates it can invest in more than 60 startups over the next decade with the recent donation. 
• Apprenti PGH — This IT apprenticeship program is designed to help underrepresented groups enter the tech industry by covering all costs associated with attending an IT bootcamp, offering participants a stipend and pay during on-the-job training. The program helps provide Pittsburgh employers with a more diverse talent base to choose from. 
• New Economy Collaborative — This 11-county coalition formed to strategically distribute $62.7 million in grants from the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The collaborative includes over 90 local organizations, including the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, CMU and Innovation Works. The program is funding five projects focused on adoption, upskilling infrastructure and commercialization in the robotics sector. [Disclosure: Technical.ly is an NEC partner.]
• Global Day of CodeRetreat — Pittsburgh coworking space and community Code & Supply hosted this intensive practice event that focuses on the fundamentals of software development and design. Over 100 people have participated in the annual coding retreat since Code & Supply began hosting the event in 2017. 

Creator of the Year

The online creative who best represented your hometown by sharing original, informative or engaging content — on social media or elsewhere.

• Joe Long — As a TikTok creator, Long built a large following by sharing relatable Pittsburgh-centric content, giving outsiders a humorous and authentic look into the life of a yinzer. Known for his witty commentary and signature Pittsburgh charm, Long’s content often plays on local slang, regional quirks and the city’s unique culture. 
• Austin Orth — Orth is the writer of Pittsburgh Tech Beat, a monthly newsletter covering Pittsburgh’s tech ecosystem. The newsletter covers last month’s most interesting tech news and the most relevant upcoming tech events. Outside of his passion for tech news, Orth has worked in the software development and IT operations space for almost a decade. 
• John Schalcosky — Schalcosky is the founder of Odd Pittsburgh, a social media account that explores the odd, mysterious and forgotten history of the Steel City. Earlier this year, Schalcosky was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves, but he is still working to bring a slice of Pittsburgh history to over 150,000 of his followers. 
• Bill Stiteler — Known as @saxboybilly18, Stiteler is a South Side native who has created viral videos roasting and boasting about the city. Blending humor with his commentary on sports, city life and sobriety, Stiteler’s content ranges from vlog-style adventures around the city to catchy songs poking fun at the quirks of Pittsburgh life.

Power Move of the Year

Making waves: The strategic move that made the most difference to the local market overall. Check our monthly Power Moves roundups for more inspo.

• Nvidia’s AI Tech Community — The globe’s leading AI chipmaker announced its first AI Tech Community will be established in Pittsburgh. The collaboration with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University will establish joint technology centers at the universities, leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation in robotics and autonomous systems. 
• Downtown Pittsburgh revitalization — A public, private and nonprofit partnership will pour $600 million of investment into Pittsburgh’s downtown to create an art and innovation hub. Funds, including $40 million from private investors, $22 million from the City of Pittsburgh and $62.6 million from the Shapiro administration, will transform old office buildings into housing and encourage businesses to move downtown through a business support program. 
• Zico Kolter joins OpenAI board — In August, Kolter, professor and director of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University, joined OpenAI’s board of directors, as well as the company’s safety & security committee. Kolter will bring his knowledge of artificial intelligence safety to the role, making recommendations on critical safety and security decisions for all OpenAI projects. 
• Coherent’s CEO win — Laser maker Coherent named Jim Anderson, former CEO of Lattice Semiconductors, as its new CEO and saw its stock price go up nearly 20% shortly after. Under Anderson’s leadership at Lattice, the company’s share price increased eightfold. Investor’s speculated Anderson’s jump to Coherent could help the company grow its valuation long-term. 

Money Move of the Year

The financial transaction that made the biggest splash in the local innovation community. Breeze through some of our monthly Money Moves roundups to get ideas.

• Skild AI’s $300M Series A —The artificial intelligence robotics company in July raised $300 million in Series A funding, bringing the company to a valuation of $1.5 billion. The funds will go towards Skild AI’s efforts to create a flexible, scalable system that can act as a “brain” for different types of robots, helping them perform a wide range of tasks in the real world. 
• Duolingo acquires a studio — Duolingo acquired a Detroit-based motion design studio, Hobbes, for an undisclosed amount in July. It was Duolingo’s second acquisition and positioned the company to improve its motion design capabilities for its gamified approach to language learning. As part of the purchase, Duolingo brought on 12 new motion designers and nearly doubled the size of its Detroit office. 
• Bakery Square investment — The US Department of Commerce invested $3.7 million to expand Pittsburgh’s Bakery Square and boost the life sciences economy in Pennsylvania. The project will improve roadway infrastructure and support job growth and business expansion in the area. The project is estimated to create 55 jobs and generate $7 million of private investment. 
• Abridge AI’s $150M raise — The medical documentation startup raised $150 million in Series C funding, raising its valuation to around $850 million. The capital will be used to advance the company’s AI-powered dictation tool designed for healthcare providers. The US Department of Veterans Affairs also awarded Abridge AI a contract to test the product, recognizing its potential to help reduce clinician burnout.  

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