Panels and Breakout Sessions

Main Stage Programming

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Humans & Robots: Colleagues of the Future

The nature of work is changing. AI and robotics are helping humans complete tasks faster. Meet the companies behind the innovative technology changing the way we work.

• Featuring:
• Brady Sheehan, Senior Robotics Engineer at Neya
• Bernardine Dias, Product Team at Stack AV
• Chris Dunkers, Head of Software at Thoro.ai
• Moderator: Barry Rabkin, Director of Marketing at Moderator: Near Earth Autonomy

10:05 AM - 10:35 AM

What’s Next in Tech Jobs: AI, Robotics, and the Talent to Power Innovation

Today's job market can be challenging to navigate. Hear from top recruiters on what their companies are looking for in a future employee.

• Featuring:
• Kelsey Schultz, Senior Technical Recruiter at Agility
• Nick Kirsch, Director, Software Engineering at Omnicell
• Josh Kistler, Hardware Recruiting Lead at Aurora
• Moderator: Jenny Sharpe, Director of Workforce Development at Pittsburgh Robotics Network

10:40 AM - 11:10 AM

Powering Progress: The Business of Supporting Robotics and AI

Behind every successful robotics and AI company is a network of suppliers, consultants, and service providers that bring the innovative technology to life. Meet the companies bringing your favorite robots to life.

• Featuring:
• Matt Beale, President at Deadalus
• Brian Beyer, President and CEO at Hellbender
• Chris Matthieu, VP, Developer Ecosystem at Realsense
• Moderator: Sahil Potnis, VP, Product & Partnerships at Digital Divide Data

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

Introducing the Deep Tech Institute: Leadership Training in the Robotics Capital of the World

As the robotics sector progresses beyond commercialization and headcounts continue to grow, how do the roles and responsibilities of our technical talent change and grow with our companies?

• Featuring:
• Ryan Haggerty, Director of Instruction at Pittsburgh Robotics Network and Deep Tech Institute
• Dr. David Galati, Chief Technology Officer at Titan Robotics
• Ben Schmidt, Founder & CEO at Loopbot AI
• Deepak Jayaraj, VP of Hardware Engineering and Manufacturing at Four Growers

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

SKA Robotics Drone Demo: Realtime Infrastructure Rust Detection

• Spencer Krauss,  Founder, President, and CEO of SKA Robotics

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

New Economy Collaborative Annual Review

• Moderated by Chris Wink, Cofounder and CEO at Technical.ly

12:55 PM - 1:25 PM

Innovation Works 2025 Cohort Pitches

1:30 PM - 1:55 PM

Alumni in Motion: Founder Updates from the Robotics Factory

• Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of the Robotics Factory at Innovation Works

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

The Future of Robotics & AI Investment – Where Capital Meets Innovation

• Featuring:
• Mark Martin, GP at Cybernetix Ventures
• Lisa Chai, GP at Interwoven Ventures
• Sohail Khalid, Cofounder & MP at Lightscape Partners
• Moderated by Jenn Apicella, Executive Director at Pittsburgh Robotics Network

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

How AI is Advancing Business in Downtown Pittsburgh

• Featuring:
• Brad Budde, Chief Digital Officer at PPG
• Richard Clarke, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Highmark Health
• Christopher Martin, Senior Director, Responsible AI at BNY
• Moderated by Shannon Baker-Meyer, President at Gatesman

3:45 PM- 4:00 PM

FIRST Robotics Awards

• Featuring:
• Jeff Beckstead, President / Mentor at Mars Robotics Association
• Peter Seiff, CEO at Aethon

Breakout Sessions

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Collaborative Robotics Leadership Roundtable

• Hosted by Johnson Electric and ESTAT Actuation
• Location: Alcove A

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Investor 1:1 Matchmaking

• Location: Booth 329

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Charting the Future: Robotics, AI, and Economic Growth in Allegheny County

• Location: Booth 328

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

NVIDA Workshop:  Unlock Scalable 3D Spatial Intelligence with 𝑓VDB

• Location: Booth 330

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Robotic Talent Acquisition and Retention Workshop

• Location: Alcove A