Introducing the Network Connectors Committee

RIDC

The Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania (RIDC) sparks economic growth and catalytic change in communities through real estate development, public policy advocacy, and a range of programs that support high-quality job creation. It is a mission-driven, private nonprofit organization and its development decisions combine an entrepreneurial approach with a public service perspective.

Accomplishments:

• Mill 19 at Hazelwood Green, once part of a sprawling steel works, has been transformed into a global symbol of Pittsburgh’s economic evolution. Its award-winning, sustainable design, with three new buildings constructed within the original steel skeleton, frequently hosts national leaders and global visitors. Tenants include the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM), the Manufacturing Futures Institute, autonomous vehicle company Motional, Instinct Robotics, YKK AP, and Catalyst Connection.
  
  Adjacent to Mill 19 are two buildings nearing completion: Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Innovation Center and the University of Pittsburgh’s BioForge. Residential development, and community facilities including a sports complex, are also in the works.
• Westmoreland Innovation Center, a two-million square foot property that was originally occupied by Volkswagen and Sony, has been redeveloped by RIDC into a multi-tenant facility, housing more than 1,000 jobs. A partnership with the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation, the property includes Siemens, Intervala, Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center, and City Brewing. Also, construction is about to begin on PennSTART, a state-of-the-art test track and research facility for autonomous technology testing and first responder training.
• New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park was originally one of Alcoa’s first research and manufacturing facilities. RIDC redeveloped buildings to house Re:Build Manufacturing, a Massachusetts-based advanced manufacturing company dedicated to bringing manufacturing back to the United States. RIDC has been implementing a capital improvement program, marketing the site to new tenants and, today, the 880,000 campus is over 80% occupied. This project is also a partnership between RIDC and the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation.
• RIDC recently became Master Developer for Neighborhood 91, a property owned by the Allegheny County Airport Authority on land adjacent to Pittsburgh International Airport. The first building on the campus, which could include as much as 195-acres once completed, is fully occupied with additive manufacturing companies and an additional building is currently on the drawing board.

Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance (PLSA)

Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance (PLSA) connects the region’s unique clinical, research, manufacturing, and technology strengths to advance Southwest PA as a global life sciences leader and economic engine.

The future of human health is being shaped by the convergence of novel technologies and breakthrough clinical discovery – enabling new tools, techniques and treatments. Pittsburgh is at the forefront, where experts and organizations in AI, biology, automation, and clinical care converge.   

Join our community, explore high-growth companies and new breakthroughs, and learn why this ecosystem is primed for growth at pittsburghlifesci.org.

Accomplishments:

Since its founding in the spring of 2024 – the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance (PLSA) has hit the ground running:

• Tracking 250+ life sciences and healthcare technology companies in the region via a dynamic dashboard to help investors, reporters, and targets for industry partnership, investment, and business attraction learn about Southwest PA’s unique assets and capabilities 
• Educating dozens of elected officials at the local, state, and federal level about the opportunity to grow this sector from 15,500 jobs and $3.4B in annual output to 40,000+ jobs and $14B+ in output over the next several years
• Building a deep analysis of the strengths and opportunities and defining a strategic vision for the regional sector, with collaboration from over 100 regional stakeholders 
• Delivering Life Sciences Future SW in collaboration with Life Sciences PA – engaging 350+ life sciences leaders and shining a spotlight on the vibrant regional ecosystem
• Collaborating with the Conference to bring the Pittsburgh human health innovation story to top tier executives and investors via national conferences and earned media in publications like Forbes and the Wall Street Journal

InnovatePGH

InnovatePGH is a university-driven public/private partnership built to accelerate Pittsburgh’s status as a global innovation city by translating Pittsburgh’s significant technological strengths into an equitable growth strategy.

Accomplishments:

• Manage a place-based Innovation District initiative in Oakland  
• Improve Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem  
• Provide tech-based economic development leadership and strategy

Innovation Works

Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since its inception of the seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 780 companies that have gone on to raise $3.54 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org. 

Accomplishments:

• 780 Companies financially supported
• 77 companies acquired
• $3.54B Follow-on investment raised by our portfolio companies 

Other Partners