Meet Pittsburgh’s winners in the 2024 Technical.ly Awards

The votes are in and the wait is over — it’s time to celebrate. 

Every year, Technical.ly recognizes the people, organizations and products making waves in the local tech community. We ask you for nominations, then curate a selection of finalists. From innovation educators to creators representing the city in unique ways, Pittsburgh had some standout contenders. 

Over the last two weeks, the public cast their vote for 24 local nominees across six categories. And you showed up in force, casting thousands of ballots. 

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Technical.ly Awards in Pittsburgh. Meet the top vote-getters in each category below. 

Product of the Year – Peregrine Mission One

Astrobotic was the first commercial space vendor to launch a mission to the moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The North Side-based company successfully launched the Peregrine Lander, carrying a variety of scientific payloads, in January. While the lander did not successfully reach the moon, multiple NASA payloads were able to collect data while in flight. 

Assistant Director for Communications Audra Mitchell said Astrobotic was most proud of the mission operating in cislunar space for over 10 days.

“Although an in-flight anomaly prevented Peregrine from achieving its primary mission objective to land on the Moon,” Mitchell told Technical.ly, “Astrobotic’s Mission Control team was still able to operate the spacecraft with a compromised propulsion system and achieve several technological and scientific objectives.” 

In 2025, Astrobotic plans to launch its next lunar lander mission, Griffin Mission One, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. Griffin Mission One is also part of NASA’s CLPS and is projected to land on the lunar south pole carrying Astrobotic’s CubeRover, the European Space Agency’s LandCam-X and a NASA laser retroreflector array. 

Educator of the Year – The Assemble Team

Assemble is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to providing hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education for all ages. 

This year, Assemble expanded its STEAM Afterschool program to serve a wider age range and offer extended hours. The organization also developed an Afrofuturism STEAM curriculum with new tracks, served 15 schools through offsite programming and engaged over 140 kids in its 8-week summer camp. 

Looking ahead to 2025, Assemble plans to offer more programs that connect local students with mentors, educators and artists, fostering personal and academic growth, especially for underserved communities. One key initiative will be a professional development series that aims to help educators teach AI using approaches that consider the intersection of race and gender. 

“In 2025, we are looking forward to continuing to provide free STEAM Afterschool programming, free and low cost summer and day camps, offsite programming and adult craft nights,” Development Manager Dale Gaddes told Technical.ly. “For our summer camp in 2025, we are going to have a special focus on AI and environmental science, along with other STEAM topics.” 

Program of the Year – Apprenti PGH

Apprenti PGH is an IT apprenticeship program aimed at increasing diversity in Pittsburgh’s tech workforce by providing underrepresented groups with help entering the industry. 

The program covers all costs associated with attending an intensive IT bootcamp and offers participants a stipend, as well as pay during their on-the-job training. Apprenti PGH also partners with local tech companies, providing Pittsburgh employers with a more diverse talent base to choose from. 

Since its launch, Apprenti PGH notes successfully placing nearly 50 apprentices, with almost 50% being Black and over 60% being women. 

Lelia Broughton, director of workforce innovation for the program, said there’s more to come next year, with expanding employer partnerships, integrating AI training into the program and sharing best practices for hiring an apprentice in tech. 

“Apprenticeships aren’t just career pathways,” Broughton told Technical.ly, “they’re bridges connecting untapped potential to industry needs.”

Creator of the Year – John Schalcosky of Odd Pittsburgh

Schalcosky is the founder of Odd Pittsburgh, a social media account that explores the odd, mysterious and forgotten history of the Steel City. 

Schalcosky celebrated Odd Pittsburgh’s 10-year anniversary this year and was honored with a proclamation from Allegheny County’s Office of County Council. 

Throughout all of his success this year, Schalcosky has been battling Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves. Despite multiple surgeries, he’s still working to bring a slice of Pittsburgh history to over 150,000 of his followers.

“Your generosity after my February surgery and then again in June carried us through some of the darkest days,” Schalcosky said to his followers in a recent post. “I am forever grateful for each and everyone who stood by my family during those tough months.” 

Power Move of the Year – Downtown Revitalization

A public, private and nonprofit partnership will pour $600 million of investment into Pittsburgh’s downtown to create an art and innovation hub. 

Funds including $40 million from private investors, $22 million from the City of Pittsburgh and $62.6 million from the Shapiro administration will transform old office buildings into housing and encourage businesses to move downtown through a business support program. 

“I firmly believe that in order for our commonwealth to fully thrive, we need to ensure that downtown Pittsburgh, this neighborhood where we are today, is a hub of innovation, is a hub of culture and is a hub of opportunity for all,” Shapiro said at the announcement of the collaboration. 

Money Move of the Year – Bakery Square Investment

Pittsburgh’s Bakery Square is already home to major innovators in the city’s tech ecosystem, like Google, UPMC Enterprises and Carnegie Mellon University’s Cloud Lab, and now the US Department of Commerce is investing $3.7 million to expand the area and boost the life sciences economy in Pennsylvania. 

Allegheny County Industrial Development Authority will put $2.8 million of the funding toward Bakery Square. 

The project will improve roadway infrastructure and support job growth and business expansion in the area. The project is estimated to create 55 jobs and generate $7 million of private investment. 

“This $2.8M investment is about more than just roads and buildings, it’s about centering our workforce and their potential,” US Rep. Summer Lee said when the funds were announced. “The expansion at Bakery Square will bring good-paying jobs to our community and uplift our local economy, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach every corner of Allegheny County.”