Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Vendors for NFL Draft; Aurora’s driverless truck expansion; $2M to Neovate Life Sciences

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This week’s storm was quick but deadly. Reports are saying at least three people died, and over 400,000 lost power. The Pittsburgh airport clocked a 71-mph wind gust — the third strongest ever recorded there, and Duquesne Light is estimating it could take 5 to 7 days to fully restore power citywide.

This week we published a story about the DREAMS Coalition, a new initiative to help local startups better apply for federal grants, and a piece sharing the experience of Pennsylvania immigrant entrepreneurs navigating tumultuous times. 

Read on for a roundup of more top news in the region.

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

• The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is seeking a wide range of local businesses to support various planning and execution needs. Companies and entrepreneurs in the 10-county region can apply now. [NFL]

• Local autonomous truck developer Aurora began regular driverless customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston this week, with plans to extend services to El Paso and Phoenix by the end of 2025. To date, Aurora’s driverless trucks have driven over 1,200 miles. [Aurora] 

• A CMU robotics professor reflects on the lessons she learned from facing gender discrimination in Mexico to overcoming challenges while studying electrical engineering at Stanford University. [PublicSource] 

• Local companies Agility Robotics, HEBI Robotics, Humotech and SKA Robotics were named to The Robot Report’s 2025 list of the 50 most innovative robotics companies. [Robot Report]

• The Shapiro Administration awarded $2 million to Neovate Life Sciences, a VC firm with offices in Pittsburgh, to invest in local early-stage life science startups, focusing on medical device companies. [PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development]

• Autonomous flight systems developer Near Earth Autonomy was selected by the US Army to lead a $15 million project that upgrades old Black Hawk helicopters so they can fly themselves. The goal: help move supplies in dangerous places, around the clock, while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. [Near Earth Autonomy]

• A data center being built at the former Alcoa Research Center in Upper Burrell plans to produce a lot of its own electricity from natural gas wells on the property. 

It would take about 20 years, but the data center could eventually hold three gigawatts of power. [TribLive] 

• The legal status records of over a dozen international students and alumni from Pitt and CMU have been restored after they were suddenly terminated earlier this year. [PublicSource]  

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Connect with like-minded locals interested in technology and entrepreneurship on May 2 in Bakery Square at Technically Coffee, a casual, community-focused meetup. (No relation, but we think they’re cool.) [More info]

• A few spots remain for Transform Labs Pittsburgh’s Executive Technology Briefing on May 2, a gathering of forward-thinking executives and industry leaders focused on practical AI strategies for today’s workplace. [RSVP]

• Partner event: Are you a Salesforce expert, or trying to be? The annual MidAtlantic Dreamin’ conference invites tech folks from across the region for a day of learning, brainstorming, networking and fun in Philadelphia on May 5. [Register Here]

• Prototype PGH is hosting a free meetup for entrepreneurs on May 4, offering expert guidance on common challenges faced by startups and small businesses. [Register]

• Join Pittsburgh’s BarSides Hacker Social Club, a group for hacker and information security enthusiasts, on May 6 at Stinky’s Bar & Grill in Lawrenceville. [Details here]

• Technical.ly event: There’s still time to get tickets for our annual Builders Conference on May 8 and 9, where you’ll meet top innovation leaders and learn about regional economic mobility, AI implementations and startups. [Details]