Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Gecko Robotics earns unicorn status; Tech leaders speak out on PA budget; Gray Swan AI’s new office

This week in Pittsburgh, Duolingo gives a glimpse into its acquisition strategy, Peachy Day gears up to launch its first product and more.

Read on for Technical.ly’s weekly roundup of top news in the region.

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

• Gecko Robotics raised $125 million in Series D funding at a $1.25 billion valuation, meaning the company has reached unicorn status about 12 years after its founding. Gecko said it would use the funds to accelerate its growth into sectors like defense, energy and manufacturing. [Technical.ly]

• Amazon has pledged to invest at least $20 billion in cloud computing and AI data centers across Pennsylvania, which will create an estimated 1,250 tech jobs. [Technical.ly]

• Local innovation leaders shared their support for Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $50 million innovation investment in an open letter. The investment would provide a one-time $30 million fund to spur life sciences jobs and a $20 million annual fund for other innovations. [PGH Biz Times/Commonwealth of PA]

• Two local startups established new headquarters this week. Fast-growing security company Gray Swan AI opened a 4,200-square-foot office in Shadyside, while well-established robotics company ST Engineering Aethon is now leasing the first floor of the Burns White Center in the Strip District. [PGH Biz Times] 

• At a Pittsburgh Tomorrow panel last week, local leaders, including Jenn Apicella of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and mayoral candidate Corey O’Connor, called for greater inclusion of foreign-born residents and permitting reform to support growth. [Technical.ly]

• Thinking about selling your company? A recent blog from They Got Acquired breaks down the top advice from other founders on what they wish they had done before finding a buyer. [Technical.ly]

• If you missed Technical.ly’s 2025 Builders Conference, you can now check out our recaps for the best advice from panelists on a wide variety of topics, like pitching, using AI tools and much more. [Technical.ly]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• If you’re looking to casually connect with other people who are interested in technology and entrepreneurship, attend the weekly Friday meetup of Technically Coffee (no affiliation!) on June 13 or the weekly Saturday meetup of Pitch and Run PGH on June 14. [More info here and here] 

• The inclusive coding group Code & Coffee is meeting again at Prototype PGH on June 14. It’s a good place to practice your skills and make new friends. [Attend]

• The Pittsburgh Promise is holding a career launch event at Nova Place on June 18 to help former Pittsburgh Public School students find entry-level jobs or internships. [Details here]

• The Pittsburgh Robotics Network is hosting another Tech Happy Hour on June 18. It’s an opportunity to connect with other local tech professionals at Coop De Ville in the Strip District. [Get a ticket]

• PyData Pittsburgh is holding its first summer event on June 19 at COhatch Waterfront. Mpathic’s Jay Palat will discuss how machine learning can be used to process conversational data. [Register]