Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Neighborhood newspaper for tech; Bartel honored at CIO awards; $204M for broadband internet

A neighborhood newspaper for Pittsburgh tech

Andrew Katon is a 31-year-old founder who moved to Pittsburgh for the strength of its robotics scene. He now works as a guide and mentor at Innovation Works’ Robotics Factory, where he’s almost giddy about all the equipment the lab offers.

His story is the kind of thing Technical.ly reports on: stories of individual people who care deeply about their city and are intentional about helping build its future. And in this case, it looks like a solid future — anyone who’s been part of the recent surge can feel it: This is Pittsburgh’s time to shine.

We’re revamping our coverage of the city’s tech and startup scene to help better connect the community as the ecosystem continues its rise.

➡️ Read about our plan for revitalizing Technical.ly’s PGH coverage

Could the life sciences dethrone software for VC?

Though still dominated by software, venture capital appears to be bending toward the life sciences. That shift was a big conversation topic at a recent edition of BioBreakfast, the weekly gathering on Technology Drive — and Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink crunched the numbers.

In 2014, VCs invested about a quarter as much into pharma and biotech firms as in software. By last year the sector had grown to command about a third as much: $21 billion vs. $64 billion nationally, according to Pitchbook.

➡️ Read more from Chris on the increasing commercialization of biotech

News Incubator: What else to know

• A senior engineering student and sophomore arts and sciences student at Pitt were on the winning team that took the $25,000 grand prize in the university’s annual Big Idea Competition. Their product, Malleous, is a device that aims to reduce time spent in neurological surgery. [Technical.ly]

• Who are the most connected people in your industry? The ones who seem to know everyone and how to make action happen. Those are the folks we highlight each year as RealLIST Connectors, and we’re seeking your nominations now. [Technical.ly/Google Forms]

• The storms have been something else lately, but this incredible pic of lightning over the city skyline is a much nicer outcome than the flooding and barges on the loose. [Dave DiCello]

• What do all the AI startups and projects in Pittsburgh have in common? One answer: They use chips made by Nvidia. [Post-Gazette]

• Duquesne University’s Charles Bartel was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s CIO of the Year Awards, held in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh CIO Group. [PTC/PDF]

• The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority scored $204 million in Broadband Infrastructure Program grants through the federal capital projects fund. Matched by $200 million in private investments, the funding will support 53 internet access and digital equity projects across the state. [City & State]

• 80 roboticists and industry leaders from around the globe spent two days at the Agriculture & Robotics Summit hosted by Innovation Works and the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. [Innovation Works]

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