Pittsburgh weekly roundup: $1.7M Beaver County STEM grant; Aurora, Nvidia partnership; Nippon-US Steel fallout

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Fashion startup sparks ‘catalytic change’

In 2015, Nisha Blackwell founded Wilkinsburg-based Knotzland, a small-scale manufacturing operation specializing in accessories made from upcycled textiles.

With a decade of business experience now under her belt, Blackwell serves as a model for other entrepreneurs who want to make a big impact with small-scale manufacturing, and she’s being recognized on a national scale for her unique business model.

“I grew up not having a lot of money and within a family and a community that had to use resources to their full capacity,” Blackwell told Technical.ly. “I had to look in my closet and be creative and that realm of sustainability is something that now in my journey, I can celebrate.” 

➡️ Learn about Blackwell’s business model and her advice for fellow entrepreneurs

$1.7M STEM investment in Beaver County

Thanks to a $1.7 million grant, the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is expanding its STEM programs — including the hiring of a new leader to connect local youth with tech opportunities. 

“Beaver County is a little bit economically depressed,” Tom Peyton, associate professor and technical faculty lead for artificial intelligence at CCBC, told Technical.ly. “We try to expose our students to things outside the steel mill and show them what these new, modern economy jobs look like.” 

In partnership with the New Economy Collaborative, an 11-county coalition of over 90 organizations tasked with deploying $62.7 million across five projects, CCBC aims to help students land real-world jobs in emerging industries.

➡️ Read more about how CCBC is creating opportunities for county residents

News Incubator: What else to know

• President Joe Biden blocked the $14.9 billion merger of Nippon and US Steel, citing national security and domestic production concerns. Here’s what that means for Pittsburgh. [Technical.ly] 

• Pittsburgh-based edtech company Niche acquired Goodkind, a communication tool that connects students with universities, for an undisclosed amount. [Niche]

• A federal appeals court blocked the FCC’s most recent effort to require internet service providers treat all customers equally, meaning net neutrality could be dead for at least another four years. [Technical.ly]

• Much of the sleep research being done today still relies on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a tool created in 1989 that transformed sleep research and clinical practice worldwide. Decades later, the sleep index has been cited by over 34,000 peer-reviewed studies and is evolving to match a tech-forward world. [Technical.ly]

• Strip District-based autonomous trucking company Aurora Innovation announced a partnership with chipmaker Nvidia and automotive supplier Continental to mass produce self-driving truck systems by 2027. Aurora’s stock rose by 29% following the announcement. [Yahoo Finance]

• Got e-waste? Check out our e-waste recycling map to find Pittsburgh’s drop-off locations for old electronics. [Technical.ly]

• The Robotics Factory, a division of Innovation Works focused on scaling robotics companies in the Pittsburgh region, is now accepting applications for the third cohort of its Accelerate program. The application window for entrepreneurs is Jan. 9 to Feb. 20. [Innovation Works]

• In collaboration with Pittsburgh residents, Technical.ly crafted a vision statement for what Pittsburgh could look like in 2276, including new tech, environmental changes and cultural shifts. [Technical.ly]

A note of gratitude

As we enter 2025, Technical.ly is kicking off our next 15 years. And the work is more important than ever:

• With so much concern about declining economic mobility, our guides help people access fast-growth careers.
• With so much confusion around AI use and resources, our ground-up reporting follows the people building the tech.
• With so much debate around immigrant contributions, our storytelling highlights people living the experience.

One thing we’ve learned about our business model: We need your help to keep our site paywall-free. Sending gratitude to all our donors — and all our readers. You’re our community, and we couldn’t do it without you.

➡️  Make a tax-deductible contribution to support local tech reporting

On the Calendar

• Meet fellow coders at PrototypePGH’s Code & Coffee meet up on Jan. 11. Practice skills, make new friends and get help with projects at this monthly event. [More details]

• Curious about the world of Web3, Defi and blockchain? Join the PGH Defi Group on Jan. 14 for a builder-focused community event, open to both beginners and crypto natives. [RSVP]

• For those struggling with burnout, learn about practical strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care at ProductTank Pittsburgh’s meetup event on Jan. 15 at Two Frays Brewery in Garfield. [More info]

• Learn about the trends that could shape the future of marketing and impact your business in 2025 at a roundtable discussion hosted by the American Marketing Association of Pittsburgh on Jan. 15 at COhatch Shadyside. [Reserve a spot]

• Partner event: Take a crash course in how to think, work and build like a startup at Techstars Startup Weekend Pittsburgh from Feb. 7-9. You’ll meet fellow builders, mentors, investors and more. [Find out more]