The Robotics Factory officially opened on September 28 at its headquarters in the Tech Forge building in Lawrenceville. The event marked an important milestone for the program, as Tech Forge will serve as a central hub to guide young robotics companies on their industry journeys. The robotics factory has two floors of workspace and has ample opportunities for the companies involved to grow.
Tech Forge, operated by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Industrial Development Corporation, is critical to the growth of Pittsburgh’s technology industry. Robotics Factory Interim CEO Jen Apicella emphasized the Tech Forge’s importance in providing space and guidance for robotics startups. She also emphasized that Tech Forge contributes to Pittsburgh’s status as a fast-growing tech hub by offering equal and affordable opportunities for all.
The robotics factory is funded by the federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge program, which recently awarded nearly $63 million to support Pittsburgh tech organizations focused on startups and workforce development. With this funding, the Robotics Factory aims to bring together all the ingredients necessary for success and create opportunities that benefit society as a whole.
Managed by early-stage investment firm Innovation Works, Factory offers three programs: Create, Accelerate and Scale. The Accelerate program is a robotics startup accelerator with six companies in its first cohort. These start-ups will receive support and resources to become self-sufficient and grow in the local industry. In addition, Factory’s Scale program offers in-house product prototyping, manufacturing and other services.
Ultimately, the success of the Robotics Factory will be measured not by what they do inside the Tech Forge building, but by the impact they have on the robotics industry and its history. The inaugural event showcased the innovation potential and opportunities the Robotics Factory brings to Pittsburgh’s tech ecosystem.
Sources:
– Atiya Irvin-Mitchell, 2022-2023 A member of the Annual Report on America Corps, supported by the Heinz Endowment
– Innovation Works (Pittsburgh)
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2023-09-29 18:44:32
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