It\u2019s time to recognize what makes Pittsburgh\u2019s startup and tech ecosystem so great.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From new programs shaping the region\u2019s future economy to products that are changing people\u2019s lives for the better, this community continues to deliver innovation worth celebrating. Now, we want to give people their flowers through the annual Technical.ly Awards.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve been hosting these awards for years, spotlighting the individuals, products and initiatives making a real impact. This year, we curated a list of nominees from community suggestions and our own reporting, and now it\u2019s time to make your voice heard. Submit your vote in each category by Nov. 30. Winners will be announced in December.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Check out who\u2019s up to be honored and cast your vote<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Product of the Year<\/p>\n The technology product, service or upgrade in your ecosystem this year that had the most impact, either locally or globally.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Food Rescue Hero<\/a>: The technology platform from 412 Food Rescue has enabled thousands of local volunteers to transport over 38 million pounds of food from donor businesses to nonprofit partners serving communities facing food insecurity.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dashstrom<\/a>: Helping more than 12,000 kids across 41 states, the startup\u2019s platform connects schools and community groups with vetted coaches who deliver after-school programs centered on physical activity, mentorship and social-emotional learning.<\/p>\n Humotech\u2019s Clinical Caplex System<\/a>: Patients use the system to test-drive prosthetic feet in real time while clinicians instantly adjust and compare mechanical properties that mirror commercially available devices, giving insurers clearer evidence for coverage decisions.<\/p>\n Surface Design Solutions<\/a>: Earning nearly half a million dollars in awards<\/a> this year for its potential to change the industry, the company\u2019s platform helps manufacturers choose the best surface materials and designs for their products.\u00a0<\/p>\n Programming of the Year<\/p>\n The activation, program or event that made the most difference in the local innovation community this year.<\/p>\n ARM Institute\u2019s Robotics Manufacturing Hub<\/a>: The institute\u2019s initiative helps manufacturers adopt robotics by providing expert guidance, testing space and technical resources.<\/p>\n Anvil Founder Coaching Program<\/a>: The CEO Strategy and InnovatePGH lead the structured coaching program that supports early-stage founders with hands-on mentorship and training in product-market fit, early sales, fundraising fundamentals and overall founder development.<\/p>\n Duquesne New Venture Challenge<\/a>: Run by Duquesne University, the competition provides funding, mentorship and exposure to help emerging entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into viable businesses.<\/p>\n Black Startup and Tech Meetup<\/a>: The community-driven meetup group creates space for Black founders and technologists to connect, collaborate and access resources in Pittsburgh\u2019s tech ecosystem.<\/p>\n Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year\u00a0<\/p>\n The newcomer \u2014 who started their entrepreneurship journey within the past 2 years \u2014 making the biggest splash, whether locally, regionally or globally.<\/p>\n Sophia Fang<\/a>: Founder of Peachy Day<\/a>, Fang has turned her own struggles with migraines into an integrative migraine-care platform that helps patients get a diagnosis and treatment support.<\/p>\n Nolan Sulpizio<\/a>: A recent college graduate and founder of Clean Plate Innovations, Sulpizio is quickly developing machine learning tech to reduce food waste for large cafeteria clients.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rorry Brenner<\/a>: As founder of Perforated AI, Brenner is applying modern neuroscience to build neural networks that are smaller, faster and less expensive to run.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Jonathan Powers<\/a>: Powers is channeling his childhood love of riding ATVs and professional racing experience into developing electric off-roading vehicles through his company, Super Powers Mobility<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thought Leader of the Year\u00a0<\/p>\n The person who changed the most minds, inspired the most conversation or added the most knowledge to your ecosystem this year.<\/p>\n Olivia Suchko<\/a>: Suchko draws from nearly a decade of studying the fashion industry to bring her expertise on slow-fashion production models to Pittsburgh\u2019s startup ecosystem and her own company, Olive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Jane Joseph<\/a>: As director of communications and community development at Pittsburgh\u2019s Innovation Works, Joseph has used her extensive network and knowledge of the ecosystem to help amplify the stories of numerous local founders.\u00a0<\/p>\n Adam Conner<\/a>: Conner\u2019s internet interview series Thought Liters<\/a> reached a new level of popularity this year as he sat down with multiple startup founders over a drink, and now the show has secured a partnership with Innovation Works to showcase even more local entrepreneurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Miles Mufuka Martin<\/a>: A meetup organizer and advocate for Black entrepreneurship, Mufuka Martin of Relai shares his insights<\/a> with the ecosystem as a founder with a non-technical background building a tech startup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Power Move of the Year\u00a0<\/p>\n The strategic move that made the most difference to the local ecosystem. <\/p>\n Pittsburgh Robotics Network launches Deep Tech Institute<\/a>: The Deep Tech Institute for Leadership and Innovation is the Pittsburgh Robotics Network\u2019s effort to address a gap in the city\u2019s talent pipeline by training emerging and established leaders in the deep tech space.\u00a0<\/p>\n Duolingo goes \u2018AI first\u2019<\/a>: The announcement that the company would move away from hiring human contractors, instead hiring employees with AI skills, sparked online backlash<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n