Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Ecotone’s $3M seed; VR creators; EV school bus grant

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VR creators show Horizon Worlds’ potential

The recent release of the Meta Quest 3S has increased the accessibility of self-contained VR headsets, but what’s the best use of this new technology? 

While some have visited the pre-downloaded Horizon Worlds app on their headsets and determined it’s just for kids, others have seen it as a new place to make a living. 

More similar to a social media site like YouTube than a gaming platform like Playstation, Horizon Worlds offers creators the opportunity to monetize their worlds, along with several other ways to make money in the app. 

“Between the Quest 3S and the monetize program, I think we’ll see a lot more creators and more Worlds,” Melissa Genao, a Worlds creator known as PigeonNo12, told Technical.ly.

➡️ Learn more about the growing popularity of Horizon Worlds

Ecotone secures $3M for waste-to-energy tech

Major investments in the Pittsburgh region this month have big ambitions to spark global change. 

Local startup Ecotone Renewables raised $3 million to scale its food waste-to-energy technology, while the recently funded Vijayalakshmi Innovation Center at the University of Pittsburgh will soon work to address disparities in women’s health. 

Plus, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is investing up to $1.5 million in its fourth social-impact investment pitch competition. It’s currently seeking applicants, and whichever business wins will be in good company, joining other prize-winning startups tackling social issues like energy poverty, drug overdoses and health equity.

➡️ Read more about the major investments impacting Pittsburgh this month

News Incubator: What else to know

• Carnegie Mellon University is partnering with local startup UltronAI and software company Egen to develop AI for various industries, using UltronAI’s computer vision engine and Egen’s data. [Carnegie Mellon University]

• The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has awarded nearly $420,000 to Allegheny County for the purchase of EV school buses at Plum Borough School District, as well as fast chargers and EV vehicles for Fishers of Men Community Development Corp. [Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]

• Allegheny Conference CEO Stefani Pashman issued a statement on behalf of the board of directors, expressing support for the sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel—a deal both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have indicated they would block. [Allegheny Conference of Community Development]

• The Shapiro Administration is enlisting InnovateUS, a training services provider for the public sector, to train commonwealth employees on the responsible use of AI. [Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]

• PA officials visited Pittsburgh’s minority-owned small business the Wilson Group to announce the launch of the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance program, which will fund organizations creating Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania. [DCED Newsroom]

• Wexford-based biopharmaceuticals company Coeptis Therapeutics is launching Coeptis Technologies, a new division that will expand the company’s focus beyond cell therapy treatments to include data security and AI. [PR Newswire]

Understanding the local tech economy

Pittsburgh believers point to its rise and its size. Detractors point to demographic headwinds weighing it down. Both have a point.

Of the country’s better known innovation hubs, the urban population is relatively small. The city has only a middling rating for business ease, however, and not many large tech employers. But the cost of living is relatively low, the region has top-tier R&D, is getting an infusion of federal funding.

Will the strong local stakeholder efforts this decade pay off? It’s all wrapped up in our State of the Pittsburgh Tech Economy report.

➡️ Get the full picture and download the report

On the Calendar

• Join the local chapter of the Women’s Business Network for its bi-monthly breakfast event on Dec. 20. Pitch your business and connect with other owners at the Butler Street Eat N’ Park. [RSVP]

• Need a unique holiday gift but running out of time? HackPGH is hosting a last-minute holiday gift workshop on Dec. 22. [Details here]

• Enjoy Pittsburgh’s magical annual holiday market in downtown now through Dec. 24, featuring pop-up shops, festive food and live music. [More info]

• Connect with like-minded tech entrepreneurs and explore opportunities for collaboration in the world of B2B software at the monthly Pittsburgh B2B Software Meetup on Dec. 30. [Reserve a spot]

• Ring in 2025 at First Night, Pittsburgh’s New Year’s Eve celebration in the cultural district downtown, featuring dozens of free and ticketed events for all ages. [More details]