Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Local creator economy; StretchDollar’s $6M seed; Interative tech news timeline

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The billion-dollar creator economy hits PGH

While cities like New York and Los Angeles are still considered the stereotypical influencer hotspots, content creators are carving out a space in smaller markets like Pittsburgh. 

With influencer marketing booming into a $24 billion industry, local creators are turning their passions into careers. How? By staying authentic, engaging their audiences and tapping into the unique advantages a mid-sized city can offer. 

“Creating content is my form of art,” Pittsburgh-based influencer Alaina Wodarek told Technical.ly. “It’s the balance of creativity and business strategy that makes being an influencer such a unique and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.”

➡️ Discover how local creators are standing out in a crowded digital world

Fintech startup raises $6M, HQ moves to PGH

Healthcare fintech startup StretchDollar announced a $6 million seed funding round on Tuesday, led by one of the nation’s largest individual health insurance carriers. 

The company plans to use the funds to improve its platform which offers small businesses the opportunity to contribute pre-tax funding directly to employee-owned health plan premiums. It also might further its Pittsburgh presence after CEO Marshall Darr moved to the city earlier this year.

“I’d love to have more colleagues nearby,” Darr told Technical.ly, referencing a possible Pittsburgh office in the future. 

➡️ Learn more about the healthcare trends influencing StretchDollar’s success

News Incubator: What else to know

• Pittsburgh-area residents can now track viruses in real time. Allegheny County recently launched a dashboard that provides updates on cases, hospitalizations and deaths. [Technical.ly]

•  With upwards of 6,000 attendees and over 130 exhibitors, Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day featured the region’s most innovative companies and products making a difference in the world of robotics. [Technical.ly]

• Big federal investments, biotech breakthroughs and AI partnerships defined Pittsburgh in 2024, as can be seen in this interactive timeline of Pittsburgh’s year in tech. [Technical.ly]

• From a pool of 24 standout nominees, thousands of votes selected six winners of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Technical.ly Awards. [Technical.ly]

• Chatham faculty paused their bid for union representation, citing a strategic legal decision to protect their future amid concerns over a potential unfavorable ruling by the National Labor Relations Board during a second Trump administration. [Public Source] 

• The Keystone Space Collaborative, in partnership with Innovation Works, launched the Keystone Space Innovation Challenge to boost space tech innovation. Six winners of the pitch competition will be awarded $25,000 to $50,000. [Keystone Space Collaborative]

• Entrepreneurs Forever, a nonprofit dedicated to growing small businesses, is using a $250,000 grant from the Heinz Endowment to help boost the revenues of 36 Black-owned businesses that participate in its cohort program. [NEXTPittsburgh]

• The Pennsylvania Resources Council proposed plans to build a permanent recycling facility in Allegheny County, which would provide residents with a cost-effective location for hard-to-recycle materials. [Pittsburgh Union Progress]

A year’s worth of insights in 45 mins

Technical.ly’s annual State of the Tech Economy reports drop next week, but you don’t have to navigate the jam-packed downloads yourself — let Chris Wink walk you through them! That’s what’ll happen at the webinar he’s got lined up for next week.

Tune in on LinkedIn Live as industry leaders from across the Mid-Atlantic join Chris to break down trends from the past year and look forward to 2025. What does the new federal administration mean for the local innovation landscape? Which communities are thriving and which are in danger of being left behind? What’s the best way to tell your region’s success stories?

➡️ RSVP for the virtual event at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11

On the Calendar

• Looking to connect with fellow video game developers? Attend this in-person meetup of PGH Game Makers at LFG in Brookline on Dec. 7. [Details here]

• Shop for unique, handmade gifts this holiday season at Pittsburgh’s annual Handmade Arcade. This special holiday market event is hosted at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Dec. 7. [Reserve a spot]

• Join Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink on Dec. 11 for a live webinar as he shares key trends and insights from our second annual State of Tech Economy reports, followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders. [Register here]

• The WIN Workforce Development Program is offering free or low-cost digital literacy classes on Dec. 12 to individuals seeking employment while facing economic hardship. [Details here]

• Attend the first BootUP Pittsburgh Tech Cypher & Showcase on Dec. 13 to learn how local youth are using tech to shape the future of Pittsburgh’s STEM community. [Reserve a spot]