Share this:

Events  |  Spotlights  |  Resources  |  Programs  | Partners |

July 21, 2023

IN THE NEWS
Shift Robotics Moves Its Headquarters to Austin Texas

Shift Robotics, the developer of the world's first AI-powered shoes that enable you to walk at the speed of a run intuitively and effortlessly, has announced it will be moving its headquarters to Austin, Texas. The company sighted increased office space and the desire to expand its engineering and sales teams as the reason for the relocation.

Shift Robotics, founded by Carnegie Mellon University alumnus Xunjie Zhang, was born in 2017 and operated out of the CMU Swartz Center before moving to its current location in Pittsburgh.
Read more
Carnegie Mellon Fine Arts Alumna Launches The Floral Print Company
Sabrina Black, serial entrepreneur and Carnegie Mellon, College of Fine Arts graduate, has launched The Floral Print Company, a collection of classically designed floral botanical prints inspired by the French 18th and 19th century hand-colored lithographs and engravings. Sabrina has spent her career in branding and package design and has always had a passion for beauty, wellness and lifestyle brands. The Floral Print Company offers fine art and hand colored prints based on her unique design expertise. 
Find out more
Carnegie Mellon University Celebrated at the 2023 Pittsburgh Inno Fire Awards
The Pittsburgh Business Times' Fire Awards are its premier recognition program, honoring individuals setting the local innovation economy ablaze. The honorees will be celebrated on September 20, 2023 at The Assembly in Pittsburgh. Among the Carnegie Mellon awardees are:

Career Achievement:
William "Red" L. Whittaker, Fredkin University Research Professor of Robotics and director of the Field Robotics Center, Carnegie Mellon University

Rising Founders:

Jim Gibbs, CEO, Meter Feeder; Dylan Lew, CEO, Ecotone Renewable; Gene Natali, CEO, Troutwood

Trailblazing Innovators:
Sankalp Arora, co-founder and CEO, Gather AI; Carmel Majidi, co-founder and CTO, Arieca; CTO and co-founder, ESTAT Actuation; Chief Science Officer and co-founder, Lifeware Labs

Ecosystem Advocates:
Sreekar Gadde, co-managing partner, BlueTree Venture Capital Fund; Patti Rote, co-founder,
Girls of Steel; and Kit Mueller, founder, RustBuilt, XchangePgh and partner at the CMU Swartz Center
Read more
Robotics Factory, AlphaLab Accelerators Moving Into
Tech Forge Facility in Lawrenceville
Since its launch with six startups this past June, North Side investment firm Innovation Works Inc. has been running its Robotics Factory initiative out of temporary space on Broad Street in East Liberty alongside IW's hardware-focused accelerator program AlphaLab Gear and its software-focused accelerator AlphaLab. But now, all three accelerators will be moving into the RIDC of Southwestern Pennsylvania's Tech Forge facility in Lawrenceville.
Read more
SWARTZ CENTER SPOTLIGHT
EKTO VR Announces New Boots
EKTO VR, founded by CEO Brad Factor, has introduced the all-new EKTO Voyagerthe company's latest breakthrough in VR adventuring. Designed with innovation in mind, the EKTO Voyager is lighter, faster and more affordable, while maintaining the exceptional motion sickness mitigation and continuous immersion that EKTO VR Boots are renowned for. The EKTO Voyager represents the company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology and redefining the future of VR. 
Read more
CONNECTS/START SMART LAW SEMINARS
See the full Spring 2023 schedule here.
Can't make a CONNECTS? Watch on our YouTube channel. 


The CONNECTS seminars will resume at the start of the Fall semester in September, 2023.

99 Tartans


The mission of 99 Tartans is to partner with the highest potential, early-stage CMU alumni companies and accelerate their success through access to capital and networks. Find out more.

CMU ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLUBS
CMU GEC CMU UEA Scottie Ventures CMU Summit


The CMU Tech & Entrepreneurship group connects the CMU community, alumni and students, to build an entrepreneurial culture and provide resources to help the community succeed. There are multiple region-based chapters within the group. Find out more and join the CMU T&E blog,
the CMU Tech Entrepreneur
SWARTZ CENTER PATRONS
The following companies help directly support our programming and entrepreneurs.
PATRON OFFICE HOURS
Pillsbury and Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC are holding office hours for the CMU Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. The office hours are for any interested CMU graduate, undergraduate or alumni interested in entrepreneurship or connecting with members of the Swartz Center network.
Swartz Center Patron Office Hours
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Pillsbury

Legal Services Weekly Virtual Office Hours with Matt Kirmayer
Mondays 1:00-3:00 PM ET (10-12 PT)


To sign up for a 30 minute session with Matt, please contact Sean Mawhinney by the Thursday prior to your desired appointment. If you need to schedule an office hour outside of these regular hours, please
contact Daria Stokes.
Legal Services Weekly Office Hours
Sign up for weekly office hours.
PATRON SPOTLIGHT

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble (P&G) serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks® and Whisper®.

The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries with thirteen research and development centers worldwide. Since 1837, P&G’s success is rooted in research and development and strong external partnerships with academia, entrepreneurs and start-ups. P&G would like to continue this legacy by partnering with you to bring your ideas to life. Find out more
HOW TO WORK OUT OF THE SWARTZ CENTER


Swartz Center Education and Resources


No matter what phase of the entrepreneurship cycle you're in, there are programs and resources at the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship that will take your idea to the next level. Find out more.


Project Olympus Incubator Program


Want more help with finding product/market fit, developing your business model, making connections and attracting funding? Project Olympus will team you up with a business coach to develop a personalized ‘roadmap. Find out more
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES/RESOURCES
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT


The James R. Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellows program fast-tracks the careers of Carnegie Mellon University's first year graduate students who are passionate about entrepreneurship. Applications for the 2023-25 cohort will open in October, 2023. Find out more.
FIND OUT WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE DOING
Have startup news or opportunities to share? Have questions about the Swartz Center Weekly Bulletin? Send news, opportunities or questions to Sonya Ford, Program Manager.
Visit the CMU Swartz Center website. Make a donation.
Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
Carnegie Mellon University Swartz Center For Entrepreneurship
5000 Forbes Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890


Subscribe to our email list.