The Top Pittsburgh Startups You Need to Know About

Steel rusts, but innovation never sleeps – not in the beating heart of Pittsburgh. Once the towering titan of industry, this city now thrives as a powerhouse for a different breed of pioneers: 

Pittsburgh startups. Sidestepping the shadows of steel mills, a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit buzzes, crafting a metropolis where ideas ignite into enterprise.

In a landscape steeped with history, a new chapter unfolds, one where the university intellects of CMU and Pitt intertwine with venture capital vigor.

You’re standing at the cusp of a transformation, where the Steel City’s tech scene is more than just a local whisper; it’s the anthem of forward-thinkers city-wide.

Delve into this read, where we uncover innovation in Pittsburgh, the lifeblood coursing through its streets.

Unearth how co-working spaces and startup accelerators have become the fertile soil nurturing tomorrow’s titans.

Equip yourself with knowledge; from securing funding opportunities to networking at tech meetups, this article aims to be the compass guiding you through the vibrant Pittsburgh startup ecosystem.

Pittsburgh Startups

Duolingo

The language-learning firm Duolingo is a leading Pittsburgh-based software company. Their goal is to make learning a language affordable and available to everyone. The most downloaded educational program in App Store history, Duolingo is currently valued at $6.5 billion.

Duolingo makes learning enjoyable and is effective, according to study. You will acquire practical communication skills while earning points and progressing to higher levels with the help of brief, bite-sized lessons. The business also developed the Duolingo English Test, an accessible and cost-effective language certification solution that is recognized by thousands of universities across the world, in addition to its language learning appcore platform.

Parcel Health

After Parcel Health joined AlphaLab Health’s second batch, it caught Technical.ly’s attention. The company specializes on developing environmentally friendly medication packaging in an effort to counteract the damaging effects of the millions of plastic bottles used each year by providing a biodegradable and compostable alternative

Melinda Su En Lee, co-founder and CEO of the company, informed us that since the start of the year, the Phill Box, an alternative to pill bottles, has been updated with better water resistance and material strength.

Argo

Another one of these Pittsburgh startups is Argo. Argo offers solutions for autonomous driving that are AI-enabled. It creates hardware, software, mapping, and cloud-based infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. It combines its technology with automobiles to create self-driving delivery and ride-sharing cars.

It states that it is creating LiDAR for self-driving cars. Professionals in the robotics industry founded Argo. This expanding firm currently has 1,000 workers and collaborates on self-driving technology projects with both Ford and VW. They have raised more than $3 billion in cash, and they keep forming key alliances.

Nexa 3D

The business makes polymer 3D printers available to experts and organizations of various sizes. Its ground-breaking approach is dismantling conventional productivity limitations for 3D printing and widening the availability of additive materials.

The printers can print continuously at speeds of up to 8 liters per hour and transform the present additive manufacturing speeds from “dialup internet” to “broadband” printing. This provides up to a 20x increase in productivity over all currently available additive goods, and it is only comparable to injection molding economics in terms of supply chain complexity, lead times, and overall cost of tooled plastics.

Bodo

The next-generation SQL and Python data processing platform Bodo uses MPI parallelization and cutting-edge compilers. Bodo significantly improves data engineering by offering 10x or more gains in speed, scale, and cost effectiveness.

Bodo delivers HPC levels of performance and efficiency to data engineers without the need for new language API layers or performance tuning. It is the result of years of development by compilers and High-Performance Computing (HPC) professionals.

Mach9 Robotics

Graduates of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon collaborated to cofound Mach9 Robotics in 2021. The Y Combinator alum from summer 2021 works on creating gear and software designed to sense subsurface habitats remotely in order to map them.

The Pittsburgh Bridge Initiative was started by Mach9 in response to the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse back in February. It uses integrated hardware and mapping technology to understand the surface and underlying structure of the city’s 450 bridges.

Knopp Biosciences

The company Knopp Biosciences creates small-molecule medicines for the management of inflammatory and Neurological conditions. Dexpramipexole, the company’s flagship candidate, has successfully completed phase II trials for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Chronic Rhinosinusitis, and Hypereosinophilic Syndrome.

The business is also considering additional prospects for epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Privately owned Knopp Biosciences manages a portfolio of stock securities and potential product royalties. The 2004-founded company had an 18-year track record of finding new drugs for difficult immunological and neurological illnesses.

Seiso

Seiso is a Pittsburgh-based information security company that was established in 2017. Seiso provides thorough solutions to assist clients in navigating security concerns that are crucial to their companies.

The structure, organization, and simplicity of leading industry management principles—values that the company applies to all it does—are the foundation of Seiso’s strategic and tactical approach to security.

OtterTune

Researchers in database management systems and machine intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University founded OtterTune. Making database management systems autonomous and self-driving is their plan to assist consumers in achieving financial savings and reducing stress.

Many businesses either don’t have enough seasoned database administrators (DBAs) to undertake this work or prefer to use their limited DBA talent on more complex projects. Using OtterTune, developers and DBAs can rapidly and effectively enhance database performance by handling tedious tuning jobs.

Aurora

Another Pittsburgh-based firm developing self-driving cars is called Aurora. It was established by experts with backgrounds in engineering, robotics, product development, and machine learning.

Via SPAC Reinvent Technology Partners, this IT startup recently went public in November 2021. The company raised $1 billion in post-IPO equity, according to Crunchbase. Chris Urmson, Sterling Anderson, and Drew Bagnell established Aurora in 2017.

Metafy

A Pittsburgh-based firm called Metafy matches students who are prepared to pay for individual one-on-one coaching with champion-level players.

Popular PC and cross-platform games like Fortnite and Valorant are included, as well as card games like Magic: The Gathering Arena and Pokémon TCG. Josh Fabian, a native of Derry, created it in 2020.

Watt Fuel Cell

Solid oxide fuel cell systems are created and produced by Watt Fuel Cell. It runs on widely used, easily accessible hydrocarbon fuels like diesel, JP-8, propane, and natural gas.

High temperature functioning of its ceramic-based micro-tubular SOFCs allows for operation on commercial fuels like propane and the production of effective, clean power. A 1kW portable, propane-powered hybrid SOFC system with power control features was released by the company in 2015.

The hybrid system is efficient, quiet, lightweight (less than 30lbs), and capable of using solar or wind technologies in addition to both hydrocarbon fuels to maximize power output, energy storage, and fuel consumption. WATT now has 24 employees, and it is prepared to grow its management team through carefully chosen hiring that will support increased business growth, production, and sales.

Dization

Dization is a web-based platform for small company intelligence that provides information quickly to help users save time and money. Small business owners should focus their efforts on providing the services their company offers rather than maintaining internal data tracking systems.

They occasionally overlook information like which services perform best and why, which staff are most productive and why, and what can be done to lower expenses and eliminate waste, among other things. Dization is a simple-to-use integration and setup solution for transforming company data into insights. Dization focuses on small businesses instead of the larger corporations that have the ability to produce analytics that are the emphasis of other cloud-based business intelligence platforms.

Form Energy

An innovative iron-air battery that can store electricity for 100 hours is being developed and commercialized by Form Energy, an American energy storage technology and manufacturing company, at system costs that are competitive with those of conventional power plants.

The worldwide electrical grid will be reformed by Form’s multi-day battery such that it can consistently function on 100% affordable renewable energy throughout the year. The founders of Form Energy joined together in 2017 with the shared goal of reshaping the global electric system by developing a new class of affordable multi-day energy storage solutions.

FAQ On Pittsburgh Startups

What’s Fueling the Growth of Pittsburgh Startups?

Well, it’s like a perfect storm. Universities like CMU are churning out bright minds while initiatives like Innovation Works offer that much-needed support.

Mix in some hearty Pittsburgh venture capital and a legacy of steel-strong work ethic? You’ve got a hotbed for tech innovation and startup growth.

Are There Notable Success Stories Among Pittsburgh Startups?

Absolutely. Look at Duolingo, a giant in language-learning apps, born and bred right here. There’s also Astrobotic, pushing boundaries in space tech.

These are banner bearers, telling the world, hey, Pittsburgh’s not just about bridges and steel anymore – it’s a crucible of cutting-edge innovation.

How Do Pittsburgh Accelerators and Incubators Support Startups?

Think of them like greenhouses. Places like AlphaLab don’t just provide cash; they’re all about mentorship, networking, and a space to grow.

They equip startups to withstand the seasons – from seedling ideas to fully-fledged market contenders.

What Role Does the University of Pittsburgh Play in the Startup Scene?

Oh, a massive one. University of Pittsburgh swings open doors to research resources, connects students with startup gigs, and fosters innovation through programs designed to fuel entrepreneur brains.

They’re not just educating; they’re actively investing in the next-gen startup connoisseurs.

Can Non-Tech Startups Thrive in Pittsburgh?

For sure. It’s not all about pixels and code here. The city’s robust with opportunities across healthcare, manufacturing, even food and beverage sectors.

Diversity is king; if your idea solves a real problem, Pittsburgh’s your stage.

What’s the Best Way to Network Within the Pittsburgh Startup Community?

Get out there. Tech Meetups, Pittsburgh Tech Council events, even casual coffees are goldmines for connections.

It’s about putting yourself in the mix, sharing your story, and soaking up others’. That’s the fabric of the startup community tapestry.

How Does Pittsburgh Support Startups in Securing Funding?

Got dreams? Pittsburgh’s got the cash – if you know where to look. There are angel investors, local VC firms, and even government grants if you hit the right beats.

It’s all about a solid pitch and showing you’ve got the steel to succeed.

Are There Specific Industries Dominating the Pittsburgh Startup Landscape?

Once on the sidelines, now taking the lead – tech’s the MVP here. AI, robotics, health tech, you name it.

But that’s not to sideline the undercurrents of growth in greentech and education, where the city’s industrial past meets a sustainable, smarter future.

What’s the Impact of Pittsburgh Startups on the Local Economy?

It’s huge – startups are like the new steel spine of Pittsburgh. Every successful startup means jobs, innovation, and a magnetic pull for talent and investment.

It’s revitalizing neighborhoods and rewriting the economic narrative from industrial to intellectual prosperity.

How Can One Stay Updated on Pittsburgh Startup News and Developments?

Look, your best bet? Follow local startup news hubs, swing by events by the Tech Council, and keep tabs on university bulletin boards.

Pittsburgh’s got stories to tell – from bootstrapped to blockbuster – and staying tuned in is how you’ll catch the latest chapters.

Conclusion

Navigating the bustling streets of Pittsburgh, one can’t help but sense the entrepreneurial pulse beneath the city’s storied façade. Bold, gritty, and resilient – qualities emblematic of both its people and its startups. This city, once the poster child for industry, now stands as a beacon for budding enterprises.

With the wisdom of Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh powering a fresh wave of talent, the startup ecosystem here is more than hardware; it’s cerebral, innovative – electric. Tech meetups, angel investors, and a kinship of co-working spaces are not just perks here but pivotal pillars bolstering Pittsburgh’s startup ecosystem.

As you venture forth, remember, the path for a startup in Pittsburgh is as much about the journey as the destination. It’s about embracing your surroundings, leveraging that unique Steel City grit, and becoming part of the narrative that echoes beyond the three rivers – an epic tale of transformation and tenacity.

If you liked this article about Pittsburgh startups, you should check out this article about Miami startups.

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