Pittsburgh Power Moves: Check out Duquesne New Venture Challenge’s 2024 semifinalists

From advisory boards to new CEOs, it was an eventful January for Pittsburgh technologists and companies. If you couldn’t read every story about who was hired and who stepped down, never fear: Technical.ly’s here to provide some insight on Pittsburgh tech sector wins.

Duquesne New Venture Challenge announces its semifinalists for the competition’s last leg

The Duquesne New Venture Challenge has announced the semifinalists for the final round of its 2023-2024 competition. As the competition is open to business plans of all kinds — and entrepreneurs from anywhere, not just the university — the semi-finalists include music startups, biotech companies, and even one of Technical.ly’s RealLIST Startups honorees.

Winners will be awarded up to cash and service prizes valued at more than $100,000. Heading into the competition’s final stage in April 2024 its organizers say the semifinalists were selected because the judges were impressed with their proposed products, implementation approach, business models, and potential exit avenues.

“Our expert judging panel worked overtime this year to review and rank [a] large number of excellent entries and bring this competition to life for startups across the United States,” said Staci Offutt, director of the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, in a statement.

The semifinalists, as described in the release:

• AneuRisk — Personalized prediction app for patients with arterial aneurysms
• Aquatonomy — Autonomous robotic underwater infrastructure inspection
• Crum Creek — Self-powered UV-based air-duct purification for HVAC systems
• dashcam.bike — Bicycle-mounted stabilizing camera technology (a 2023 RealLIST Startups honoree)
• FlowCellutions — Enables the maturity of flow batteries through diagnostics solutions
• Informuta — Infectious disease detection enables precision medicine via analytics
• Lexi Medical — Deep-brain stimulation improves speech in post-stroke patients
• Musicals for Change — Produces musicals for nonprofits to raise awareness
• Orchestra AI — AI-powered extension of a company’s digital marketing team
• Pacto Medical — Pre-filled syringes reduce shipping costs and environmental impact
• PadIAD — Incontinence pads notify hospital staff when patient help is needed
• PharmaFlex — Incorporates daily doses of drugs into a patient-friendly format
• Qarar — Creates CFO-ready business cases quickly, closing more deals faster
• Revitalize Energy — Energizing eye drop designed to alleviate eye fatigue
• ScOAPe — Flexible endoscope sheath to enable lens-cleaning during surgery
• Studie — Technology offering learning through a virtual professor interface
• Tooli — Tooling and equipment rental application using a community platform model
• Velo AI — Improving road safety through proactive bicyclist alert system

Pitt’s Responsible Data Science Advisory Board has a new chairperson

Andy Hannah. (Courtesy University of Pittsburgh)

The University of Pittsburgh’s Responsible Data Science Advisory Board is establishing an institute for responsible applications of artificial intelligence. And as of January, its newly appointed chairperson of the advisory board is Liaison AI and Data Science Solutions President Andy Hannah.AI

Hannah will offer insight on best practices related to AI, the societal implications, and considering the concerns of students and faculty about the new technology.

Pitt’s leadership believes Hannah’s expertise makes him well-suited to assist the university in preparing students to navigate conversations surrounding artificial intelligence.

“The advisory board will play a crucial role in guiding the ethical, legal, and social considerations related to AI development and deployment,” Hannah said in the announcement. “We’re excited to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise. This multidimensional approach will help us navigate the complex landscape of AI, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible practices and addressing the intricate challenges that this technology presents in our ever-evolving society.”

Swan NeuroTech hires a new CEO

When Homestead-based Swan NeuroTech was founded in 2019, the company was called Nerve Repair Technologies. Back then, the company billed itself as a startup developing advanced biomaterials for nerve repair.

Now, it’s reintroducing itself to the public with a new name, Jeremy Kimmel as its new CEO, and a continued commitment to giving patients options for nerve healing and regeneration.

Kimmel’s background includes developing and commercializing innovative medical products.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join Swan NeuroTech and to help bring world-class regenerative therapies to patients across the world,” Kimmel said in a written statement.

More Power Moves

• Megan Butler has left her role as regional account manager at Venture for America, she announced on LinkedIn this week. She previously worked as VFA’s Pittsburgh director. Her new role: LifeX program manager, supporting the life science org’s accelerator and “other ecosystem development efforts.”
• The Advanced Leadership Institute, in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, welcomed its 2024 Executive Leadership Academy which serves Black entrepreneurs and executives throughout the region.
• Neya Systems, a Warrendale-based robotics company, promoted David Barnhard as its new chief strategy officer.