For Immediate Release: June 25th, 2025

Contact: Maddi Love, Director of Communications, maddi@robopgh.org

A New Professional Development Program to Grow Technical Talent and Leadership Capacity Across Pittsburgh’s Robotics, AI, and Deep Tech Sectors

Pittsburgh, PA – June 25, 2025 – The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) is proud to announce the launch of the Deep Tech Institute for Leadership and Innovation (DTI), a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at strengthening robotics, AI, and advanced technology workforces by investing in its greatest asset: talent.

The Deep Tech Institute (DTI) delivers a two-tiered approach to workforce development, addressing both ends of the professional spectrum: Emerging Leaders, focused on early-career technical professionals, and Senior Leaders, geared toward developing internal technical leaders currently employed in the sector.

“The Deep Tech Institute addresses a critical gap in an innovation ecosystem,” said Jenn Apicella, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. “It’s not just about developing skills. It’s about equipping professionals with the right skillset to commercialize breakthrough technologies. As robotics and AI continue to reshape global industries, the future of these companies depends not just on building innovation—but on building strong, visionary teams. By developing our top technical talent into senior leaders, we’re preparing the next generation to scale businesses, shape policy, and drive real-world impact across multiple industries. Pittsburgh is leading this transformation.”

Emerging Leaders Mini Modules, launching Summer 2025, will give engineering students, technical interns, and early career talent exposure to real-world robotics and AI career paths. Through guest speakers, hands-on sessions, and site visits to top tech companies, participants will gain industry insight and make informed decisions about their professional future. 

In 2026, PRN will introduce its Senior Leaders programming in partnership with Boston-based Cybernetix Ventures, a leading early-stage investor in robotics, automation, and physical AI startups, and creator of The Robotics Startup Playbook, a guide to building and scaling robotics startups. These programs are designed to equip current employees at robotics and AI companies with the leadership skills needed to manage cross-functional teams, align technical efforts with business strategy, and drive sustainable company growth.

“DTI is designed to support the full lifecycle of deep tech talent,” says Ryan Haggerty, Director of Instruction at DTI. “We want to create connected, capable leaders—whether they’re just stepping into the field or already developing the tech as marketable solutions and building impactful teams from within.”

The Deep Tech Institute reflects the Pittsburgh Robotics Network’s commitment to advancing Pittsburgh’s robotics and AI companies by investing in the people and partnerships that drive advanced technology innovation on a global scale by connecting talent, industry, and opportunity to strengthen the region’s leadership in global deep tech.

Applications for the pilot Emerging Leader Mini Modules program are open from now until July 10th. Apply here. 

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ABOUT THE DEEP TECH INSTITUTE FOR LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION (DTI) 

The Deep Tech Institute for Leadership and Innovation (DTI) is a workforce development initiative of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN), created to accelerate the growth of the region’s robotics, AI, automation, and advanced technology sectors by investing in people. DTI offers tiered programming that supports both early-career professionals exploring pathways into the industry and current technical employees preparing to lead innovation within their organizations. Through real-world exposure, industry engagement, and targeted leadership development, DTI is building the talent infrastructure that powers deep tech commercialization and regional economic growth. Learn more at www.robopgh.org/dti.

ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH ROBOTICS NETWORK

The Pittsburgh Robotics Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving the growth and commercialization of Pittsburgh’s world-leading robotics ecosystem. With over 125 robotics companies in the regional cluster, the Pittsburgh Robotics Network connects businesses, research institutions, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate the transition of breakthrough robotics technology from the lab to the marketplace.

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