TechVibe Pittsburgh
Jonathan Kersting
Curious about Pittsburgh's growing technology and innovation industry and the opportunities it has for you? This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the companies, people, and institutions that are making Pittsburgh's tech industry thrive. Discover the newest tech startups emerging from Pittsburgh; Meet dynamic entrepreneurs driving innovation and creating a rich landscape for tech company growth; and Stay on top of the latest trends from recognized industry experts and thought leaders. Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have interviewed thousands of tech entrepreneurs and business experts across the tPittsburgh region's tech and innovation ecosystem. Get...
Episodes
Empire of Lights: Power, Permits & Playbooks for Data Center Development in Pennsylvania
Data centers are coming to Pennsylvania — but getting them built is a whole different story. In this episode of The Empire Lights, powered by Comcast Business and Babst Calland, host Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council sits down with Kate Cooper, shareholder at Babst Calland, to unpack the rapidly evolving landscape of data center development across the state. From the Governor's GRID Standards and behind-the-meter power generation to the complex permitting maze at the DEP and municipal level, Kate breaks down what's really happening on the ground. The conversation dives into how tech-world uptime expectations — like "four nines" availability — are colliding with old-school land development, creating a high-stakes negotiation environment where no playbook exists yet. They also explore Pennsylvania's competitive advantages: brownfield sites, natural gas infrastructure, and a deep bench of environmental and land-use legal expertise that's putting the Pittsburgh region at the center of the data center boom. If you want to understand what it actually takes to bring a data center from announcement to groundbreaking — and why Pennsylvania's approach might be smarter than you think — this episode is a must-listen. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produce TechVibe and the Empire of Lights to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
RIDC's Don Smith: Building Pittsburgh's Tech & Manufacturing Future
What do a shared-use SCIF, autonomous driving test track and one of Pittsburgh's top advanced manufacturers have in common? They are all currently under the wing of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC). Jonathan Kersting sits down with Don Smith of the RIDC for a wide-ranging update on the projects reshaping Pittsburgh's tech and manufacturing landscape. At Mill 19 on Hazelwood Green, RIDC is building a $10 million shared-use SCIF — a hyper-secure facility where companies can engage with classified government projects from the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and beyond. Partnering with Parallax on an accelerated build-out, the SCIF gives Pittsburgh startups a home-field advantage for defense procurement — no more driving to the Pentagon. Meanwhile, Hellbender is bringing manufacturing back inside the city limits with plans to scale to 500 jobs — potentially the largest manufacturing deal in the City of Pittsburgh in decades. Don and Jonathan also cover: The evolution of Lawrenceville from NREC's early robotics hub to today's thriving ecosystem Neighborhood 91 at the airport, where a 108,000 sq ft spec building is under construction ReBuild Manufacturing's rapid ramp-up at the former Alcoa site in New Kensington The PennSTART dual-use test track — a two-mile facility for autonomous vehicle testing and first-responder training, opening in 2027 RIDC's 70-year history of transforming stranded industrial sites into modern innovation spaces Why Pittsburgh's robotics, AI, and defense ecosystem is attracting companies from around the world The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation economy.
The Power of Partnership: How RedChair Pittsburgh Helps Women Move Forward in Tech
What can happen when one person gives you the encouragement to take the next step? For Geeta Tahiliani, a simple connection to RedChair Pittsburgh helped change the trajectory of her career and eventually inspired her to help other women find their own path forward. TechVibe Radio sits down with Kelly Fetick, Geeta Tahiliani and Sunnie Fenk for a conversation about the power of mentorship, community and creating opportunities for women in technology. Geeta shares her journey from discovering RedChair almost by accident to earning scholarships that connected her with executive coaching, new perspectives and a stronger sense of where she wanted to take her career. Along the way, Sunnie became one of the people encouraging her to apply, get involved and keep pushing forward. The conversation also previews RedChair Pittsburgh's annual event on October 20 at Robert Morris University, built this year around the theme "The Power of Partnership." The event will explore how mentors, allies and professional relationships can shape careers and lives. Tune in to hear how: Mentorship can unlock opportunities you may not see for yourself. RedChair scholarships are helping women navigate critical mid-career transitions. Professional communities can combat isolation and create real, lasting connections. One act of encouragement can ripple outward as the person being helped becomes a mentor to someone else. It's a conversation about careers, confidence, community and what becomes possible when someone believes you should take the next step. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh Builds Tomorrow: Pittsburgh Is Getting a Quantum Computer. Here's Why It Matters!
Pittsburgh is getting a quantum computer. But what exactly does that mean, how does quantum computing work, and why is Pittsburgh one of the places helping push this strange and potentially transformative technology forward? In the debut episode of Pittsburgh Builds Tomorrow, TechVibe's Jonathan Kersting takes a decidedly non-physicist trip into the world of qubits, quantum entanglement, superposition and computers that operate at temperatures colder than outer space. Along the way, University of Pittsburgh Senior Vice Chancellor for Research Rob Rutenbar helps explain why quantum computing is moving from science fiction to engineering, with potential applications ranging from cybersecurity and financial services to drug discovery, advanced materials and medicine. And there's a distinctly Pittsburgh story behind it all. The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center has spent four decades pushing the boundaries of high-performance computing. Now the region is taking another big swing as it prepares to bring quantum computing into that ecosystem. Come for the qubits. Stay for Einstein's "spooky action at a distance," the million-dollar refrigerator and a computer that looks like it belongs in Versailles. Pittsburgh Builds Tomorrow explores the people, technologies and big ideas shaping what comes next for Pittsburgh. Listen to Rob's entire interview here.
Building the Pittsburgh-to-Morgantown Tech Corridor
What if Pittsburgh and West Virginia stopped thinking like neighboring regions and started acting like one connected technology corridor? TechVibe Radio goes back to West Virginia with Melissa McKenna of Trilogy Innovations and Bill Walker of West Virginia University for a wide-ranging conversation about the innovation, research and economic opportunities taking shape from Pittsburgh to Morgantown, Bridgeport and beyond. The discussion uncovers some remarkable work already underway, including WVU research that can extract critical minerals and rare earth elements from acid mine drainage while helping clean up legacy environmental damage. McKenna and Walker also detail new life being brought to former pharmaceutical infrastructure in Morgantown, growing opportunities in health care and energy, and the $321 million NSF-backed regional initiative connecting WVU, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and partners across a 78-county region. At the center of the conversation is one big idea: the Pennsylvania-West Virginia state line may be a political boundary, but it does not have to be an innovation boundary. Hear how closer connections in research, commercialization, workforce, cybersecurity, energy and investment could create a stronger technology corridor along I-79, and why the Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah on October 28 in Morgantown could be an important place to start building those relationships face-to-face. If you think you know West Virginia tech, this conversation may change your map. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology innovaton ecosystem.
How Titan Robotics' Autonomous Systems Handle the Dull, Dirty and Dangerous Work
Stuart Lawrence, founder and CEO of Titan Robotics, joins Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo from the Huntington Bank Studios to share the remarkable story behind his Pittsburgh-based robotics company. What started as a Carnegie Mellon / Air Force Research Lab project to strip paint off fighter jets with high-powered lasers became a 14-year journey of grit, pivots, and breakthroughs. Stuart walks us through: The origin story: How a torpedo defense engineer turned robotics builder landed at Carnegie Mellon's NREC, got hooked by 25-ton robots with 40-foot reach and lasers, and spun out Titan Robotics The near-death moment: When a three-star general blocked $75 million in contract awards, forcing a years-long pivot from government-only work to commercial manufacturing Solving "dull, dirty, and dangerous": How Titan's autonomous systems tackle weld removal, grinding, and sanding of composites without requiring a programmer to operate them The labor gap advantage: Why the welding skills shortage is Titan's biggest commercial opportunity, and how adaptive robotics empower operators instead of replacing them 14 years, zero fundraising: How Stuart bootstrapped Titan to ~70 employees on government contracts alone, and why now is finally the time to consider outside capital Leadership lessons: Why "don't lie to yourself" is his #1 piece of advice, and how instrumenting ROI data guided every technology decision From vaporizing carcinogenic coatings down to 10 pounds of safe material (versus 2,000 pounds of hazardous waste from traditional methods) to giving factory workers a robot that works like a hammer—intuitive and in their control—Titan Robotics is quietly building the future of autonomous industrial robotics in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Learn more at titanrobots.com
Inside Pittsburgh's New Quantum Computer
Quantum computing has spent years being described as the technology that's always 10 years away. In Pittsburgh, that future is getting a lot closer. University of Pittsburgh Senior Vice Chancellor for Research Rob Rutenbar joins Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo to unpack the quantum computer headed to the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center through funding from the National Science Foundation. And don't worry if you can't tell a qubit from a Q-tip. Rutenbar starts with the basics, explaining how quantum computers work, why qubits can exist as both zeros and ones, what Einstein meant by "spooky action at a distance," and why Pittsburgh's new Rigetti system has to operate at temperatures colder than outer space. The PSC's nine-qubit system is considered a starter quantum computer, but its arrival gives Pittsburgh researchers something enormously important: hands-on access to an emerging computing technology that could ultimately tackle problems conventional computers struggle to solve. Hit play to discover why Pittsburgh is building serious momentum in quantum computing, how quantum could transform cryptography, drug discovery, materials science and optimization, and why pairing a quantum computer with PSC's world-class supercomputing infrastructure creates one very powerful combination. Quantum isn't just coming. It's coming to Pittsburgh.
Health Care Reinvented: Can Technology and AI Make Health Care More Human?
What if your health plan could spot that you need help before a missed appointment, medication gap or health issue turns into something much bigger? On this episode of Health Care Reinvented, hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo talk with Judy Arrow, VP of Health Engagement at Highmark, and Matt Putilla, VP of Product Development at enGen, about how Highmark is combining technology, data and human expertise to make navigating health care easier and more personal. The goal sounds simple: meet members where they are, identify signals earlier and remove the friction that can make getting care frustrating. Behind the scenes, however, that requires connecting information that once lived in separate systems and giving care teams a more complete picture of each member. Arrow and Putilla explain how AI is being woven directly into those workflows. It can prepare clinicians before a member call, listen during conversations, provide prompts and summarize interactions afterward. Instead of replacing the human connection, the technology is designed to give clinicians more time to concentrate on it. The conversation also explores Highmark's move from reactive care management toward earlier intervention, guided handoffs between nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and social workers, and the growing ability to use near-real-time data to determine when a member may need help now rather than next week. It's a look behind the curtain at how health care technology, AI and human expertise can work together to create a more connected experience and potentially keep small problems from becoming big ones.
Metal With a Mission: Ellwood Group's Anna Barensfeld on Space, Steel, and Workforce in Western PA
What if the steel in your next flight's landing gear, the components in NASA's Artemis rocket, and even the "chopsticks" catching SpaceX rockets were all forged by a family-owned company in Western Pennsylvania? In this episode of AMP'd Pittsburgh, host Jonathan Kersting sits down with Anna Barensfeld, fifth-generation leader of Ellwood — a 115-year-old specialty metals and forgings company headquartered in Ellwood City, PA. Founded in 1910 by Anna's great-great-grandfather, Ellwood has evolved from a small forge shop making crankshafts into a multi-faceted powerhouse producing high-performance alloys, aluminum, and engineered components for aerospace, defense, energy, and beyond. Anna shares the bold bets that shaped the company's trajectory — from her father's decision to build their own steel melt shop in 1985 during the Rust Belt decline, to today's massive investment in a vacuum induction melting furnace that will produce some of the cleanest, most advanced metals on Earth. The conversation goes deep on: Ellwood's philosophy of "Metal with a Mission" — how their products power everyday life, from aircraft landing gear to the power grid The critical role family ownership plays in long-term, risk-taking innovation Ellwood's involvement in cutting-edge projects for SpaceX, including the rocket-catching chopsticks A passionate discussion on workforce development and the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition — Anna's initiative to re-energize manufacturing careers in Western Pennsylvania Why manufacturing is thriving, not dying, and the urgent need to inspire the next generation of skilled workers • The advanced technology behind modern steelmaking — robotics, automation, CNC programming, and precision welding Whether you're in manufacturing, economic development, or simply curious about how the materials behind modern civilization get made, this episode will change how you think about American industry. Produced at the Huntington Bank Studios as part of the AMP'd Pittsburgh series by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Listen now and discover why the future of American manufacturing is being forged right here in Western Pennsylvania.
The State Line Is Not an Innovation Line, Why Pittsburgh and Morgantown Are Better Together
What happens when two major West Virginia technology conferences join forces and invite Pittsburgh to the party? TechVibe Radio talks with Melissa McKenna of Trilogy Innovations and Bill Walker of West Virginia University about the October 28 Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah conference in Morgantown, an event expected to bring together hundreds of leaders from industry, academia and government. And this isn't just another cybersecurity gathering. The conference stretches across four major areas including secure and intelligent systems, national security and mission innovation, autonomy and advanced manufacturing, and health and cyber biosecurity. Expect conversations touching AI, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, food security, federal missions and the emerging threats surrounding increasingly connected infrastructure. Walker, a former Chief of Staff at U.S. Cyber Command, explains how WVU has built deep relationships with federal agencies and industry partners to tackle real national security challenges. McKenna details how combining Mountain State Cyber Summit and Tech Yeah! creates new opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to connect, collaborate and build. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is geographic. Pittsburgh and Morgantown are only about 75 miles apart, with complementary strengths across AI, robotics, energy, manufacturing, cybersecurity, research and federal contracting. As Walker puts it, "The state line's a political boundary. It's not an innovation boundary." Hit play to discover why Pittsburgh companies should be looking south, why West Virginia organizations should be looking north and how one connected technology corridor could create new companies, contracts, investment and jobs across the region. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh's Neya Systems Puts Autonomous Mining Vehicles in High Gear
Can a Pittsburgh robotics company really make massive mining trucks drive themselves — with no human behind the wheel? In this episode of Tech Vibe, Jonathan Kersting sits down with John Porter, Senior Robotics Engineer at Neya, to unpack how this Pittsburgh-based off-road autonomy company is transforming one of the world's most rugged and dangerous industries: industrial mining. From ultra-class haul trucks with 15-foot-tall tires running fully autonomous load-haul-dump cycles at a production iron ore mine in Western Australia, to building the perception systems and fleet management software that make it all possible — this is a deep dive into the engineering, the grit, and the real-world impact of autonomous mining. And yes, it's all being built right here in Pittsburgh. There are so many reasons to listen: Get an inside look at the perception systems, sensors, and path-planning algorithms that let building-sized vehicles navigate mine sites with zero human input Hear the on-the-ground story of deploying autonomous trucks in Western Australia — one of the toughest mining environments on Earth Learn how Neya's Mission Planning and Management System (MPMS) coordinates fleets of both autonomous and manned vehicles on the same site Discover why safety is the driving force behind removing humans from the cab and into remote command centers Find out what's next — from automating shovels and dozers to building fully autonomous mine ecosystems Whether you're into robotics, autonomy, industrial innovation, or just love a great Pittsburgh success story, this conversation will change how you think about the future of mining. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
15 Years of Assemble: Building Pittsburgh's Next Generation of Makers, Creators & Technologists
Nina Marie Barbuto, founder of Assemble in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood, joins TechVibe this Sunday to celebrate 15 years of building community through arts, technology, and hands-on maker education. What started with a backpack and a bicycle has grown into an organization that has impacted over 107,000 people — including more than 30,000 youth — through STEM and STEAM programs rooted in culturally relevant, project-based learning. Nina shares the story of Assemble's evolution from an all-volunteer effort to a generational force in Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, the ripple effects of empowering kids to build, create, and dream, and details for the upcoming Unicornapalooza celebration on September 19th — featuring carnival games, flash unicorn tattoos, the first-ever Unicorny Awards honoring community champions, and costumes strongly encouraged. Featuring honorees Gregg Behr of the Grable Foundation, Representative La' Tasha Mayes for her work passing the CROWN Act in Pennsylvania, community maker Miss Junyetta Seale, and Assemble's own Jess Gold. Learn more and get tickets at assemblepgh.org.
Empire of Lights: Powering and Cooling the AI Factory
How Do You Power and Cool an AI Data Center? The processors inside modern data centers are becoming more powerful, more dense and a whole lot hotter. Keeping them running requires an entirely new generation of power and cooling infrastructure. Chris Massetti of Donwil joins Empire of Lights to explain what happens between the electrical grid and the silicon, and why Donwil's mission-critical expertise has suddenly landed the company in the middle of one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Hit play to learn how closed-loop liquid cooling can dramatically reduce water consumption, how modern systems move heat directly away from powerful GPUs, and why Donwil's power modules help smooth the wildly fluctuating electrical loads created by AI computing. Massetti also explores the rapid move toward prefabricated and modular infrastructure, the growing demand for skilled technicians and why having compute located closer to Pittsburgh could become increasingly important for healthcare, research and other AI-intensive industries. It's a surprisingly accessible trip inside the powertrain and cooling system of the modern AI factory. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
AI Beyond Chatbots: EY on Agents, ERP Transformation, and the Skills That Matter
Is AI more than just chatbots — and are you leaving serious business value on the table by thinking it isn't? Jonathan Kersting hosts TechVibe from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, sitting down with EY's Natalie Freedline and Aaron Rakes for a high-energy conversation about the real-world AI revolution happening right now in business. Why you should hit play: • The human side of AI — Why your people aren't being replaced, they're being redeployed, and the new skills every professional needs to stay relevant (hint: it's not coding, it's interrogation). • AI beyond the chat box — Discover the "seven layers of the cake" and why chat is just one of them. Autonomous agents are already traversing ERPs, CRMs, and email systems — and they don't take coffee breaks. • The security wake-up call — Non-human identities, silent segregation of duties, and why governance isn't optional when your agents have access to everything. • Pittsburgh's AI moment — From $100 million in startup investments to local powerhouses like GreenCabbage and Gather AI, the Steel City is quietly becoming an AI stronghold. • The "just start" philosophy — Why waiting for perfect data, perfect documentation, or the perfect tech stack is the most expensive mistake you can make right now. Whether you're an AI skeptic, a business leader trying to see real ROI, or just curious about where this technology is heading, this conversation will change how you think about what's possible. TechVibe is your front-row seat to all things innovation and tech across the Pittsburgh region. Press play and get ahead of the curve.
Empire of Lights: The Concrete Behind the Cloud
What Does Precast Concrete Have to Do With the Data Center Boom? Turns out, quite a lot. Marshall Sorensen of Metromont joins Empire of Lights to take us deep into one of the most overlooked parts of the data center supply chain: the concrete structures that have to be designed, manufactured and assembled before a single server can go online. Hit play to learn how precast construction can dramatically accelerate data center projects, why eliminating a single structural column can create enormous economic value, and how Metromont's test-fit process helps developers find expensive problems before construction begins. Sorensen also explains why early collaboration, site logistics and offsite manufacturing are becoming increasingly important as data center customers demand bigger campuses on tighter schedules. If you've ever wondered what physically holds up the cloud, this episode gets wonderfully concrete. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
SoftLedger Founder Ben Taylor on Building Fintech in Pittsburgh
What happens when an accountant gets frustrated enough with clunky software to build something better? You get SoftLedger. This week on TechVibe, we sit down with co-founder Ben Taylor to talk about how a problem he experienced firsthand turned into a growing fintech company. Ben and his co-founder started by sketching out ideas on printer paper. Then came the hard part: thousands of cold emails, plenty of rejection and the long process of winning that first customer. From there, SoftLedger steadily grew into a platform serving companies that have outgrown QuickBooks but don't want the cost and complexity of a giant ERP system. Today, SoftLedger is growing its team in Pittsburgh, expanding downtown and putting AI to work across accounting, reporting and software development. Ben also talks about why Pittsburgh has become such a strong home base for the company. It's a fun conversation about spotting a real problem, sticking with the solution and building something people actually need. Hit play and meet one of Pittsburgh's growing fintech companies on this week's TechVibe. TechVibe is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to showcase Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
PaceSetters: How Woolpert Uses GIS + AI to Build Digital Twins, Indoor Maps & Smarter Utilities
In this PaceSetters episode from the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe, host Jonathan Kersting talks with Jodie Gosselin of Woolpert, a geospatial-focused architecture and engineering firm founded in 1911, about Woolpert's growth in Pittsburgh following the Dawood Engineering acquisition and its global GIS organization. Gosselin explains what GIS (geographic information systems) is, how it adds geographic context to data, and how it's applied to real-world problems like indoor wayfinding for airports and network modeling for utilities, including scenario planning and customer impact analysis. She describes how AI is being used to clean and compare data, support system integrations, and enable readiness for digital twins, and highlights a GIS + AI hackathon with Esri. Gosselin also shares her career path into geography and her efforts to teach GIS to kids, including GIS Day classroom lessons and education initiatives. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Empire of Lights: Building Data Centers With the Community, Not Around It
Can Data Centers Earn the Trust of the Communities Where They're Built? Data centers are bringing billions of dollars in investment to Pennsylvania, but what does responsible development actually look like? On this episode of Empire of Lights, Brian Regli of Dynamo takes us inside the company's planned data center development in Springdale and explains why transparency, community engagement and accountability have to be part of the process from day one. Hit play to hear how Dynamo is approaching concerns around power, water and noise, why Regli believes developers must acknowledge the problems they help create, and how closed-loop cooling, third-party verification and local hiring can help establish a better model for development. He also explains why the industry needs to stop simply telling communities that data centers are good for them and start listening to what those communities actually need. It's a candid conversation about building the infrastructure of the digital economy while building trust at the same time. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
PaceSetters: How VSP Vision Uses AI, RPA & Eyefinity to Improve Eye Care Access and Patient Experience
In this TechVibe PaceSetters episode from Huntington Bank Studios, Jonathan Kersting talks with VSP Vision leaders Emily Traupman and Kathleen (Kat) Lovett about how VSP—one of the nation's largest eye healthcare providers serving 80+ million members with 42,000+ private practice doctors and 700+ retail locations—uses technology to expand access to care and improve efficiency. Traupman shares how VSP applies UiPath robotic process automation and generative AI to automate repetitive work, testing, and test-script/data creation, and explores AI agents to further reduce manual effort. Lovett highlights Eyefinity practice management software, insurance/pre-authorization workflows, and AI Scribe to capture clinical notes so doctors can focus on patients, along with AI tools to help sales reps and AI-driven frame assortment, virtual try-on, and inventory optimization, including collaboration with Carnegie Mellon. They also discuss retinal imaging for broader health insights and VSP's mobile clinic providing free eye exams and glasses in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Empire of Lights: Turning Stranded Infrastructure Into Digital Opportunity
Could Pennsylvania's Industrial Past Become Its Data Center Advantage? Across Western Pennsylvania, former power plants, steel mills and industrial sites still contain valuable infrastructure that was built decades ago. Kenneth Birkenstock of Nittany Digital Infrastructure believes those assets could play an important role in the region's digital future. On this episode of Empire of Lights, Birkenstock explains the concept of stranded infrastructure and why reusing existing industrial sites can make more sense than developing farmland or previously untouched property. Hit play to hear why NDI starts with community conversations before development begins, why Birkenstock says transparency is an obligation for developers, and why expectations around noise, water, power and infrastructure should be clearly defined and put in writing. He also explores how data center investment could become the first domino in broader community revitalization, creating opportunities for skilled trades, manufacturing and additional development. It's a fascinating look at how old infrastructure could find an entirely new purpose. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
PaceSetters: Matt Beale on 50 Years of Daedalus, Industrial Design & Engineering in Pittsburgh
Jonathan Kersting interviews Matt Beale of Daedalus on TechVibe's PaceSetter series about the Pittsburgh-based industrial design and product development firm's nearly 50-year history and evolving, multidisciplinary approach. Beale explains Daedalus' work across robotics, energy, healthcare, medical devices, and safety, and how the team shifted to include more engineers than designers as projects require full execution from concept to done. He recounts roots tied to Westinghouse-era companies and long-running client relationships including Medrad (now Bayer), Automated Healthcare (now Omnicell), Fresenius Kabi (formerly Renal Solutions), and Industrial Scientific. Beale describes how Daedalus plugs into client teams, supports startups from programs like AlphaLab Health and Robotics Factory, leverages university expertise when needed, and increasingly uses AI and machine learning while protecting confidentiality and preventing errors. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
PaceSetters: Andrew Moore on Lovelace Building Investigative AI in Pittsburgh That's 100x Faster
Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council's TechVibe interviews Andrew Moore of Lovelace AI about why Pittsburgh is a place to "build something that works" versus the Bay Area's "big splash." Moore explains Lovelace AI's name (Ada Lovelace) and its focus on investigative AI that brings together massive amounts of evidence to answer complex, chain-of-reasoning questions. He describes a "context engine" that sits between an agent and vast data sources to rapidly identify relevant information, run probabilistic reasoning, and maintain secure, traceable sourcing. Moore says Lovelace matched the quality of Google Gemini Deep Research while using tens of thousands of tokens instead of millions, and shares efficiency gains that cut an inference from about $7 to under one cent on a two-year-old server. The discussion covers applications in financial crime, national security, safety, and disaster response coordination, and highlights Pittsburgh's mix of infrastructure and mathematical engineering talent. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
PaceSetters: MESCIUS Powers AI-Powered Spreadsheets, Developer Tools, and Saving Time with SpreadJS
Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council interviews Chris Bannon of MESCIUS on TechVibe Pace Setters about the Pittsburgh-rooted company's evolution from ComponentOne to GrapeCity to MESCIUS and its mission of building developer tools—charts, data grids, spreadsheets, reporting, and document services—that "sell time" by accelerating application development. Bannon explains why spreadsheets remain central to business-critical decisions despite attempts to move away from them, and how AI assistants layered on spreadsheets can build pivot tables, analyze trends, and answer questions quickly without deep Excel expertise. He shares MESCIUS's work adding AI features to SpreadJS and using AI to generate reports, plus an MCP server that gives coding agents deep knowledge of MESCIUS APIs and best practices to speed development and improve results. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh's Gecko Robotics on Building Technology That Works in the Real World
What happens when you stop building technology for the lab and start building it for the people working in some of the toughest environments imaginable? On this episode of TechVibe Radio, Gecko Robotics founder and CEO Jake Loosararian joins Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, industrial innovation and why Pittsburgh gives Gecko a powerful advantage. Loosararian traces Gecko's roots back to a Pennsylvania power plant, where he saw workers risking their lives to inspect aging infrastructure with outdated tools. That experience sparked an idea: build robots that can go where people shouldn't have to, gather critical real-world data and help companies understand the health of the physical assets around them. From there, the conversation gets especially interesting. Loosararian explains why he turned down Silicon Valley investment that would have required Gecko to build its technology in a lab, arguing that companies solving physical-world problems need to stay close to their customers and collect real-world data. That philosophy ultimately helped keep Gecko rooted in Pittsburgh. He also delivers a provocative take on SBIR grants, warning entrepreneurs not to confuse grant funding with genuine customer demand, and details how Gecko's commercial traction helped pave the way for major work with the U.S. Navy. And perhaps most importantly, Loosararian lays out a bigger vision for Pittsburgh: a city that builds and scales category-defining companies instead of simply serving as an outpost for companies headquartered somewhere else. It's a fast-moving conversation about robotics, AI, infrastructure, defense, entrepreneurship and what it really takes to build technology that works when the stakes are real.
What Is Your Business Really Worth? Pittsburgh-based Fragasso on Equity, Value and the Exit
What is your business really worth, and are you building it to thrive without you? Fragasso Financial Advisors' Christine Robinette and Bryan Reft join TechVibe to unpack equity compensation, ESOPs and the fundamentals of smart exit planning. They explain how ownership strategies can help attract and retain great employees, why founders need to understand both the wealth gap and value gap, and how factors like leadership depth, customer concentration, documented processes and company culture can dramatically impact what a business is worth. Hit play for practical insights on building value now, reducing risk and creating more options when it's finally time to step away. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Defense, AI and the Future of Pittsburgh Technology
What happens when Pittsburgh technology companies get a direct path to defense leaders, investors and potential partners? Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo headlines TechVibe Radio for an inside look at Sen. Dave McCormick's Defense and Innovation Summit, where approximately 40 Council member companies connected with decision-makers from government, the military and industry. Audrey explains why the summit's emphasis on collaboration could help Pennsylvania companies move beyond pursuing opportunities alone and begin building stronger teams capable of winning major defense contracts. The conversation also offers an early glimpse at findings from the Council's upcoming State of the Industry Report. One emerging trend demands attention: employment in the information technology cluster declined 5.5 percent over three years, while average wages increased more than 23 percent. Audrey and cohost Jonathan Kersting explore what those numbers could mean for talent, economic inclusion and Pittsburgh's opportunity to lead in robotics, physical AI and advanced technology. Plus, get a preview of TechVibe's upcoming Tech Pacesetters interviews featuring companies and leaders shaping Pittsburgh's next technology chapter, including Andrew Moore and Lovelace AI. The episode closes with a line that perfectly captures the region's innovation DNA: other places may build something flashy, but in Pittsburgh, you build something that works. Hit PLAY for defense opportunities, fresh industry intelligence and a front-row seat to the people building Pittsburgh's technology future. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh Tech Community! Can You Help Jamie's Dream Team Dream Bigger?
Jamie Ward has spent more than 20 years making dreams come true for people facing life-threatening illnesses, serious medical needs and extraordinary challenges. Through Jamie's Dream Team, she and her team have impacted more than 30,000 individuals, providing everything from dream experiences and bedroom makeovers to housing, food, basic necessities and support for families navigating some of the toughest moments imaginable. But in this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jamie has a dream of her own, and Pittsburgh's technology community may be able to help make it happen. Jamie's Dream Team is looking for technology expertise that can help the organization operate smarter, reach more families and scale its impact. That includes help with IT infrastructure, moving servers, email and database systems, social media, digital collaboration tools and practical ways to use AI to streamline everyday work. Jamie says she wants someone who can help her understand AI and identify tools and processes that could make things easier for her small team. The need is especially timely after Jamie's Dream Team lost access to a Facebook presence that had built roughly 19,000 followers, forcing the organization to essentially restart its social audience from scratch. So consider this episode an APB to Pittsburgh's tech community: If your company can donate expertise, volunteer hours, IT support, AI guidance, database help, social media assistance or other technology services, Jamie's Dream Team could put those capabilities to work helping more people. Hit play to hear Jamie's remarkable story, meet her daughter Daisy, learn how Jamie's Dream Team is changing lives, and discover how a little bit of technology expertise could help this organization create a whole lot more smiles. Contact Jamie at [email protected].
Pittsburgh's Angela Domhoff Helps Businesses Survive Their Own Growth
A great idea can launch a company. Smart operations keep it from flying apart when growth hits the accelerator. Angela Domhoff, founder of Advantage Operations, joins TechVibe to explain how entrepreneurs and business leaders can turn their vision into a sustainable, scalable operation. Drawing on more than 25 years of healthcare and corporate leadership experience, Angela shares why nearly anything can be "operationalized" when you clearly understand where you are, where you want to go and the systems needed to connect those two points. Angela also takes us inside her leap from a successful corporate career to launching Advantage Operations, where she provides fractional operational leadership to companies that need executive-level expertise without the expense of hiring a full-time COO. She explains why rapid growth can overwhelm an unprepared business and how better workflows, policies and planning can help companies scale without overhiring, crushing their budgets or creating chaos. The conversation also cuts through the AI hype. Angela believes AI can eliminate repetitive operational "noise," but only when companies first understand their workflows, people and processes. Dropping AI into a broken operation without that groundwork, she warns, can create expensive new problems instead of solving old ones. Hit PLAY to: Prepare your company for growth. Learn why winning a big contract or experiencing a sudden surge in demand can become a serious threat when your operational foundation is not ready. Get practical entrepreneurial advice. Angela offers candid guidance on managing expectations, protecting cash, structuring your days and resisting the urge to spend ahead of actual revenue. Understand where AI really fits. Discover how AI can remove repetitive work, improve efficiency and free employees for higher-value tasks without automatically replacing them. See why human skills still matter. Angela previews her work with the Pittsburgh Technology Council's LAUNCH program, where she teaches students how empathy, listening, collaboration and meaningful communication can become career superpowers. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh, technology and entrepreneurial communities.
Is AI making Hiring Faster, or Simply Making It Harder to Know Who Is Real?
Jen Frazier of Prequel Solutions joins Jonathan Kersting on TechVibe to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping resumes, interviews and candidate assessments. While AI can streamline parts of the process, it can also inflate qualifications, help candidates generate interview responses in real time and cause strong applicants to be overlooked by automated screening tools. The result is a hiring landscape where human judgment, verification and a well-designed process matter more than ever. Listeners will learn three key takeaways: Why AI can add risk instead of speed. AI-generated resumes and automated screening can weaken the traditional signals employers use to evaluate candidates. How to verify that skills and experience are authentic. Frazier explains why assessments, interviews and candidate validation must work together rather than operate as isolated checkpoints. How a focused hiring process saves time and money. Companies do not need six interviews and endless hurdles. A thoughtful three-step process can improve confidence, accelerate decisions and reduce the costly consequences of a bad hire. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Stop Meeting. Start Solving: Makeway's Workshop as a Service Jumpstarts Digital Transformation
Is your next digital project ready to launch, or is it trapped in a meeting about scheduling another meeting? Josh Lowery and Greg Cunneyworth of Makeway join TechVibe Radio to introduce Workshop as a Service, a fast-moving, highly structured approach designed to help organizations turn complicated ideas into clear, actionable plans. By bringing the right stakeholders into the room, asking deeper questions and challenging hidden assumptions, Makeway helps teams find alignment before they invest serious time, money and energy into a new website, touchscreen experience or digital transformation initiative. And these are definitely not ordinary meetings. Makeway's workshops can accomplish a surprising amount in just a few hours, giving teams a practical playbook, defined action items and renewed confidence in where the project is headed. The conversation also travels inside Makeway's world of immersive digital experiences. Josh and Greg detail an interactive lens-education kiosk created for America's Best, share emerging technology they discovered at InfoComm in Las Vegas and explain why the smartest screen is not necessarily the biggest or flashiest one. It is the screen that solves a real problem. Plus, get a sneak peek at a secretive new immersive experience being developed for a distillery along Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. We'll drink to that! Why Listen? Turn uncertainty into action. Learn how a focused workshop can uncover overlooked issues, align decision-makers and create a clearer path forward. Avoid expensive digital detours. Hear why strategic discovery can reduce assumptions, prevent project breakdowns and improve the odds of a successful transformation. Explore technology with purpose. Discover how touchscreens, interactive displays and immersive environments can educate customers, support sales teams and create measurable business value. Peek around the next digital corner. Josh and Greg share what is catching their attention in emerging display technology and how Makeway decides what is truly ready for clients. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, TechVibe explores Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Fork in the Road: How Pittsburgh-Based TerraVive Is Replacing Single-Use Plastic
What if the fork you use for five minutes did not stick around for the next 500 years? Terravive Founder and CEO Julianna Keeling and President Joe Swider join Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo on TechVibe Radio to explore how the company is building a healthier, more sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. TerraVive manufactures compostable takeout containers, cups, cutlery, plates, films and other food-service products using materials sourced and manufactured in the United States. Keeling traces the company's roots from her early work developing a biodegradable blood-pressure cuff to TerraVive's expansion into the massive food-service market. Swider, a mechanical engineer, Navy veteran and serial entrepreneur, recounts how seeing plastic waste floating in the middle of the Atlantic helped spark his interest in the mission. The conversation digs into TerraVive's rapid growth, expanding healthcare applications, commitment to American manufacturing and relentless focus on customer service. The company has doubled its revenue in each of the past two years, tripled it the year before that and now supports more than 1,000 American jobs. Hit Play to get a: A fresh look at the plastic problem: Learn why TerraVive believes items used for only a few minutes should not remain in the environment for centuries. A Pittsburgh-powered growth story: Hear how Keeling's materials-science background and Swider's engineering and business experience combined to accelerate the company. Made-in-America innovation: Discover why TerraVive rejected advice to outsource overseas and instead built a domestic supply chain designed to create jobs and shorten lead times. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and business ecosystem.
AI Is Changing Hiring: How to Validate Candidates and Reduce Risk
Is AI making hiring faster, or simply making it harder to know who is real? Jen Frazier of Pittsburgh-Based Prequel Solutions joins Jonathan Kersting on TechVibe to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping resumes, interviews and candidate assessments. While AI can streamline parts of the process, it can also inflate qualifications, help candidates generate interview responses in real time and cause strong applicants to be overlooked by automated screening tools. The result is a hiring landscape where human judgment, verification and a well-designed process matter more than ever. Listeners will learn three key takeaways: Why AI can add risk instead of speed. AI-generated resumes and automated screening can weaken the traditional signals employers use to evaluate candidates. How to verify that skills and experience are authentic. Frazier explains why assessments, interviews and candidate validation must work together rather than operate as isolated checkpoints. How a focused hiring process saves time and money. Companies do not need six interviews and endless hurdles. A thoughtful three-step process can improve confidence, accelerate decisions and reduce the costly consequences of a bad hire. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Hit Record and Go: Inside Pittsburgh-Based StudioMe's Content Creation Technology
What if you could walk into a studio, hit record and walk out with a polished, multi-camera video ready to roll? That's the idea driving StudioMe, and TechVibe Radio gets a firsthand look at the technology making high-quality content creation faster, easier and a whole lot less intimidating. Keith Parish and Joe Leachko join Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo to talk about StudioMe's evolution from traditional video production to automated communication studios that handle cameras, audio and live switching in real time. They also dig into StudioMe's AI-powered Sidekick Coach, which can listen to a conversation, suggest questions and insights, highlight key moments and even score your podcast performance. Plus, hear why authenticity and consistency still matter more than the fanciest camera in the room and how two guys who met at the gym nearly 20 years ago ended up building technology that is changing how companies create content. Hit play. The cameras are already rolling! The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem. Transcript: StudioMe radio cut === [00:00:00] one. Fancy seeing you here, Audrey, in the Huntington Bank Studios. You know how excited I am every time I roll into these studios? I know. You're very protective of the studio. Very protective. I gotta tell you something, if anyone comes in here And he, I think he has like an alarm I do As soon as someone comes in, he, "Oh, what's up?" Yeah. "What are, what are you doing in here?" Don't touch that. "What are you-" We've had some incidents in the past. "What are you touch- what are you touching? What are you touching?" Exactly. That's, that's natural. I mean- Yeah. It's your baby. It's, it's our baby, and because we are talking to our friends from Studio Me here, Keith Parrish and Joe Lechko, who built the Huntington Bank Studios here for us. I know. We have upped our game, Audrey, like it is no one's business. Fantastic. I've gone from iPhones and 10-year-old cameras- You have ... patched up with duct tape and stuff to this full-blown studio where we are having the best conversations with everybody in Pittsburgh's tech sector. And I cannot wait to talk to these guys about... They do this for lots of people. I know. And they got so many things going on between videos they shoot, between their studios where people can come in and create their own content and [00:01:00] have high-quality stuff. We're lucky because we, they built us our own studio here. So we're gonna jump in and have a lot of fun today. So guys, welcome to the show. It's so great to have you guys here. And what does it feel like to be in your own creation here at the Tech Council? It feels weird. Does it feel weird? We're not used to this. We're used to being behind the camera and making this production happen and showing people what we have. But since we walked in, you've shown all the new things you have done inside of your own- Yeah ... part of the software that we built for you. It's just, it's, it's fun to see you make it yours. Cool. You know? Yeah. So- It's, it's always cool to see something that was, you know, just a, a blank canvas before. I mean, you had a table in here. It had... But you didn't have this, this nice background, the TV. And then to see it come together and, and look like a studio at the end of the day, and then to be actually like sitting here and having a conversation is pretty cool. Yeah. For sure. It's really cool. So let's set the stage. Tell everyone or tell us exactly, what's your pitch? So we always had envisioned that we wanted to make high quality content easy to [00:02:00] create for everybody, and we had to build a bunch of systems to make that happen for the general public or whomever we interact with on a video or photo shoot. We wanted to make that easier, easy, so media made easy no matter what it was. ~Keith and I met probably almost 20 years ago. Oh, this is a good story. I like this. Oh, let's hear it. In the gym, right? Yeah, yeah. This is, yeah. I like- Well, it, it's interesting. Yeah, so Keith and I met in 2000 something. By the way, this is our most asked question for some reason. Is it really?~ ~Everybody's interested in how we- How did you meet? ... how we met. How did you meet? Not about the business, but how did you guys meet? Yeah, exactly. Yeah. It's it was like almost 20 years ago. We met at a gym, and it was Market Square when it was Gold's Gym. Now it's a Taj. And I was in college still. He had just graduated college.~ ~When you see the same people in the same places, you say, "Hi." It's a friendly hi, that sort of thing. That's what it was. And we all came at the same time after, after school for me, I think after work for him. Became friends. Never really hung out, but he invited me to go to a bar one time with his buddies and everything to hang out.~ ~I was not 21 yet, so I couldn't go. So I said, "Listen, if there's a house party or something, you let me know." But it never happened, and I ended up moving across the city. And then I think it was, like, five years later or so, we run into each other at the Southside Gym at LA Fitness down there. And it was like walking past each other through the locker room or something.~ ~It's "Wait a second." And, and he- Where you been? You sound like frat boys telling this story "Yeah, we were at the gym." I love that. Yeah. "There was a bar." And, yeah. But I mean, keep in mind, this is 20 years ago. Yeah, it was, it was 2007, '8, just about. And yeah, so I, you know, he had just moved into a really cool house on Southside Slopes, and I was going into my career in architectural designer at an events company.~ ~And I was like, "I would love to come see your place. It s- looks super cool." And ever since then, we kinda hit it off as buddies and stuff, and knew that we had the same synergies, same morals, everything kinda fit together, and we knew that, we could probably build something together, too on a greater scale, something bigger than ourselves.~ ~And he had an idea. He wanted a, an itch to scratch, essentially, when it came to studios. He was already in, in video production and I didn't know anything about it then. So he said, "I'll pitch to you, and I'll convince you in one workout." Wow. So we went- In one workout? Okay. So we went back to the gym, and for an hour and 15, or whatever it was, he talked me through this idea,~ ~He has a lot of great aspirations toward it, and I had the public facing, 'cause I was more on the marketing side, more of an environmental side of things when it comes to building spaces, and he knew more the tech side, the knowhow and everything. So there was a lot of bouncing back and forth in between sets, you know, at the gym- I love it~ ~and, ... figuring that out. So- Pumping iron and building a business. We, we, we originally looked at a lot of other kinds of businesses to get into, and nothing really seemed to just fit us personality-wise. So I was like, "All right, is there something in our space that we can kinda get into?" And I'd always had this, this idea.~ ~Every time I'd go out on a shoot, I felt like I was doing the same setup every time for a talking head. It was like, you know, same lighting setup, same audio, same camera placement. I'm like, "Couldn't they just build a room that already does this?" And at the time that's more common nowadays, but at the time- Yeah~ ~everything was, like, meant for big productions, big crews, lots of equipment. It was expensive. You needed, your own insurance. And but there was, like, a whole new kind of media creator that was emerging- Yeah, the- ... and there wasn't a space for it ... it was coming together at the time- Yeah ... where, yeah, people were making their own content and so forth.~ Yep. And you're thinking of a space to allow anyone to do that. I mean, there's two sides of the business. We're known for the production work, but we're also known for our automated studios, which we're in right now. For those watching, if, if you wouldn't otherwise know, you might think there's a whole, crew in here working the space and, or, and then a, a whole post-production process. But it's doing everything in real time. And so that's what we've built now, and that's kinda what we're known for with our spaces. But originally it was, it was more just the concept of can we create a space that's easy to use for this new type of content creator that didn't exist before? But what's changed? What's changed since you sort of had this idea? 'Cause the technology- ... has just shifted. Yeah, since- It's almost 20 years ... well, yeah, I mean, podcasting has obviously blown up. These studios can be used for much more than podcasting. They're, they're just general communication [00:03:00] studios. But a, a lot of the use cases are for podcasts or interviews. And , that medium's, just taken off and, everybody's on their phones now. And I, I just, the media world has gone from,, producing like one high-quality video a year to now you just need content all the time. You can't produce something now and launch it in several months. It's gotta, it's gotta be high speed- Yeah ... to market, and that's what our studios are good at, is producing- And that's- ... content immediately. So, do you help companies think through that as well? Yeah. Because, I'm sure people still, there are still people who say, "Oh, I just do this kinda contrived, structured content- Yeah and I'll come here once a month." And there is- Once a quarter ... there is still space for both. There is? Yeah. So I, I don't wanna say ... I mean, we, we work on the 20-person, , larger productions as well. But that used to be the only thing, and now there's, there's much more. The pie's grown, and it's also been divided, to, to a lot more different variety. ~And so yeah, we help companies think through that, 'cause a lot of companies, ~I think COVID changed that a little bit for people- Good point ... where, where they lost square footage or it became empty and they didn't know what to do with [00:04:00] it. So we were thinking, if we helped COOs and people like that, utilize the square footage in their space. And we didn't know what was gonna happen, so you know, why, why not be productive in an empty space somehow? So you know, a lot of low-hanging fruit was low-hanging content that they needed to create all the time. And that has kinda changed the game from everybody, where I've seen posts that people post 30 to 40 times a day for their businesses. Oh, my God. And how are they creating that content? Exactly. How are they doing that? Wow. But yeah, so you know, e- even from then, companies getting into it just now still, they're like, "Well, I don't wanna spend all the money hiring the crews every single day to come in just to do an HR video or announcement video or leadership, thought leadership interview or a podcast or whatever." Why not be able to walk out of your office, walk across the hall into your full communication studio? Exactly. So we built a few in the the city here, and so that's what they do. They go in and they have different aspects of their business come in and create content for it, whether it's a learning management system or it's onboarding [00:05:00] videos or anything like that, they're creating it internally with their own team. ~And then we also have our team that can, log in remotely to help them produce it as well. So you know, they're saving costs, getting way more content out of it. So there's a win-win at the end of the day for people who invest in this. And it's interesting. When we first started this, we, we saw a lot more hobbyists.~ ~Now we're seeing a lot more business, and I, I feel like that's always the trend that you see with technology- Yeah ... is, the young kids are, adopting things early and then businesses kinda catch on a little bit later. They follow suit. But now we're seeing, you know, a lot more larger companies come in and rent our space or ask us to build them studios.~ Yeah. So do you help with the strategy? Yeah I'm a big company, I wanna do this I've been playing with it. Do you come in and actually- Yeah, we- ... help with the strategy? We typically w- we'll act as like an extension of their marketing team where we are, more on the, the video production aspect of it or you know, the studio aspect of it. I went to school for marketing. He's got a background in marketing, so we we can speak that language. , We understand kinda what , they need. But we also, mostly just listen. Some companies know more than others , on what they wanna achieve, and a lotta times, like we're just bringing their vision to life, and happy to do that. ~And then sometimes they, they want a little more guidance and direction in how they wanna go. And so what has surprised you over the years? What are some of the things that have surprised you? A lot yeah, a lot is, we were just talking about that earlier of we have pivoted so many times, and we've, we've had to pivot because of either the demand became great or the demand has shifted for video.~ ~I think it surprises every couple of years something new happens. Before we built studios just for people to come use them as a content creator space, and then when podcasting became greater, all those studios turned into podcast studios. So they went away from the traditional video and photo side of things.~ ~And then from there it became, "Well, I need to create more of this." Then we created a membership where you could come in for money off. Oh, nice. Okay You could come in as much as you wanted and give money off as you went. Okay. You know, that sort of stuff. Like a gym model. Basically like a g- yeah, like a gym.~ ~These are gym guys. Exactly. These are gym guys. Yeah, so like- A lot of inspiration there ... what surprised us sometimes too is we thought, and it, it happens from time to time, that the DIY movement was gonna keep going. It's still going, but people love having their hand held sometimes, or they love- having that kind of professional in the area somewhere that can tell them they're either doing good, they're not doing so good, that sort of stuff. Yeah. That came back tenfold of, "I don't wanna do it myself. I need somebody else to do it for me, and I'm scared to even figure it out." Like- Ah ... so that's where the automation came in, where it's like, "Okay, great."~ Yeah. Now we can put a, basically a virtual director in the room with you that's gonna be capturing things live. Yeah. We also noticed, what surprised us the most you, you surprise us too, is that people who didn't know what they were doing with the space now are experts in the space, and they understand how to use our software. Sometimes more than us sometimes. We're like, "Oh, they found something or they did [00:06:00] something," or they become more relaxed. We've helped people that started on the ground floor, didn't know what they were doing- Yeah ... then now charge people to be on their podcast in our space. You know? Yeah. So it's kind of cool. I've watched Jonathan grow up. Yeah. Yeah. So it's, it's kind of interesting. Even, just even in the last few months. Yeah. The whole point of this is to just have it so that the creator doesn't need to worry about the tech at all. They can just kinda come in and,, very easily set up- Yeah ... get a, get an episode recorded. Here's what I can attest to, this is something that I think really proves all the points. It all, it all gels with how I Run the Huntington Bank Studio here for all the interviews that Audrey and I do. I mean, we, we do about 200 interviews a year- ... all together, which is an insane amount of content. And in the olden days we weren't able to get video. Everyone wants a video now. So the idea that it's almost like it's a video studio first- I know, that's true ... not a podcast studio first is, is m- more the mind-changer for me. Because of course, we have a podcast, but we now video. But what's worked so well is the fact that you have this technology, which first off, these guys developed themselves. This is like- I know, I wanna talk about that. Yeah ... this is their technology, which we- we- but we'll jump into that in a minute [00:07:00] about- Yeah ... how you developed this. But it's very easy to use. You select your cameras, you v- dial in your shots, and from a content creation standpoint, I can literally interview somebody and have a video out the door clean in, a- under an hour. He jumps up with joy over that. Literally, literally that fast. He does. That's what blows my mind is the speed to market is insane, and the quality is even better. I've struggled for 20 years, like- Put a camera up. Oh, the white balance is not matching the other ca- Everything just looks kinda amateur. Mm. With all the automation you have set into this, I get crisp, clean line cuts. Like I'm not .. Back and forth, like I said, in no time. So we can create more content, the tech council, we can tell more of our members' stories. We can get different channels because it just makes us really excited- And we can do it- about this ... like instantly. Yeah. So if there's a matter at hand. Yeah. Yeah. Could be an issue- We, we can take care of it ... a policy. Yeah. It could be someone doing something really cool with the company. We can get it out there, like in no time. What I love about your story too is, and [00:08:00] we, we hear this a lot, where sometimes it's like talking to a blank wall when they've never created m- content before. They don't fully understand, , that it's not ... they're used to their phone where they just push a button and talk into their phone. But when you have multiple guests, multiple camera angles to, to set all those cameras up, know where to position them, and then how to layer all that together in post-production. Exactly. When you actually do it, then you realize, okay, it's, it's actually a lot more time-consuming than, than I want. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Even, even if you, you know, have a video background, it's still nice to- have it all set up and ready to go. I dare anyone to go into Premiere and do a line cut. Yeah. Okay? Right. And do it in anything under an hour for a 20-minute video. Oh, I know. Think of the things that we've experimented with- Oh, absolutely ... and cameras and all that stuff- ... where we thought we were being so clever. Yeah, and it's okay, that- Yeah ... kinda worked- That, right ... but not so much. It didn't work. And the, the AI tools for post-production editing, like they're great, but this gives you a nice baseline. Like it gives you- Exactly ... a fully, edited together long-form podcast. When I say [00:09:00] edited, I don't mean if we swear it's gonna know to cut that out. But what it does do is it cuts between all the different camera angles, mixes all the audio gives you basically a fully baked, edited long-form version that you can then use these other AI tools to make short- Yeah reels out of it. And that's ex- exactly what I do each and every day. It's how I live my life right now, and it's just, it's been transformative for us. And that's why we're so excited to have you guys in our studio to be our guests, so we can tell your story about how you do this. And w- could we jump to the tech side of things? 'Cause this is the thing- Yeah, I want to. I, well- I wanna talk about like- This is- ... the future and what kind of tech you're using and- And these guys don't brag enough. They're very nonchalant- Yeah ... about this. First off- I mean, A, you guys put all this code together to actually make this happen and provide an interface that pretty much anybody can use, but there's also this secret thing. When you laid this on me, I was like, "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Is the sidekick coach that you have- Right ... that we're using right now, that it listens to the conversation. Correct. It provides potential questions, it provides quotes and insights we can bring in if we want to. But what I love the most about it is when we're done, it gives me a podcast [00:10:00] score, and it goes through and it tells me- Oh, yeah where I can improve with pacing and engagement. Yeah. I get a transcription at the end. But this is something you're like, "Oh, yeah, we developed this thing." I'm like, "Oh, this is a powerful tool, man. This thing is, like- I know ... so cool." And you're like, "Oh, yeah, we, we built that." Yeah. So how'd you build this? What the heck? Yeah. I mean, it was something we actually tried years ago and the technology just wasn't there yet. Okay. It took too long. It, it would take, it would be three minutes behind your conversation just because- Ooh. Yeah ... that's how long it took for AI to transcribe and interpret, the speaking points. But now it's, it's pretty quick and you can also set how quickly it, feeds you things. And, and then the score at the end was just the way where after... I was on a couple podcasts and I'm like, "Man, I wish I knew how I did immediately, without needing to go around and show people the podcast and ask them, and, to have key moments and other parts of it highlighted. Exactly. So yeah, just kind of, it evolved over time and, and with the technology and what the technology allowed. But- So what's next? I think it's the AI side of things. We're always gonna pivot and be [00:11:00] malleable toward where the market goes as far as the production team. We think that's why we branched off and started a new business solely around this AI software, because people are gonna look for other efficiencies to either use their existing studios or that need this type of hardware- Yeah, good point. ... And software at the same time. Yeah. So we think that, I mean, our, our vision, our goal was always to have studios all over the US, whether it was a place we physically built or it was in an existing space, that we could help people, we could be a right hand person for them, you know, extension to them, to help them just create more content. It's basically giving them what we've had for 10 years now out in the open. Yeah. So do you have clients outside of Pittsburgh? We had we have one and had one in Boca Raton, Florida, had someone out there. Keith is flying out to Houston, Texas to build two studios out there for an oil and gas podcast company. Wow. And we have a few others- Yeah ... that are gonna be out out of the state soon, so. We wanna help you sell them. Yeah. We would love, [00:12:00] love you guys to help us. We wanna help you sell them. We need to get Keith a cowboy hat- Yeah ... 'cause he'll fit in just fine. Well, we'll get a T-shirt. Yeah, yeah. You'll get a T-shirt for the studio you make. ~We'll get a... Yeah, no. No, we'll need something more than T-shirts. But I, I mean, I'm just thinking of all the people who have their anchors in podcasts now, right? Exactly right, yeah. And what are they using, and how are they able to adapt the conversation in a dynamic way? Sometimes I'm surprised, and now you've seen people who do podcasts, and they're getting together.~ ~Yep. So, I follow what's her name, Brene Brown, Adam Grant, and Simon Sinek. Yeah. They're all getting together now. Yep. And they've been doing their own thing forever. It's, it's like an uber podcast then. Or they're doing- Yeah ... the uber thing. Thing, yeah. Right? Gotcha. And so I've been watching a few of them, and I'm wondering how are they laying all this out?~ ~Like how are they- Yeah ... laying the conversation out? So a lot of them, I mean, I, they, the talk shows are now being called podcasts, or they're on the cast and everything. It's kind of funny how- Yeah, whatever cast ... people are just changing lingo. Yeah. Exactly, yeah. So the talk shows are still happening.~ These conversations are happening. And they'll sometimes show behind the scenes of what's going on, and it's- Tons of cameras being set up with somebody on a switcher that's switching the cameras, and someone's thinking about audio. They've got a crew going, and why can't they use those guys elsewhere in their crew of doing something else- Right and let the cameras do the switching, let the audio being taken care of- Exactly ... let all that groundwork happen during the production for them, that they could use their skill sets maybe somewhere else, with their team. That's what we think this value comes to play, where now you're just making it more efficient, that people now can just think about their ideas instead of thinking- Yeah about the logistics of how the production should go. You're just bringing high quality to the people, like you said- Yeah ... media for the masses in, in that regard- Yeah ... which is just, like I said, it's so exciting to be able to have these capabilities. It's "Ah." Yeah. "Finally, we can tell clean stories." And it's, it's- Do, do you think that there's a shift [00:13:00] with pe- more people watching than more people reading? Oh, that definitely. Yeah. I mean, that's, that's- Does that happen? ... a shift that's happened th- years ago. I remember well, a lot of the pr- Am I, are you telling me that's old news? A lot of the productions- That's okay ... a lot of the productions we've been doing over the years have been companies taking their training manuals and turning them into videos, 'cause nobody's reading train- training manuals. That I know for sure. Yeah. Definitely. So yeah, we see that everywhere. I forget who I was talking to. Somebody else was just saying this recently, that nobody reads their newsletters or anything anymore, and it's all video. They'd rather a 30-second, one- Exactly. Yeah ... a 60-second video- Right. Yeah ... give me the rundown. ~Keep it moving. so it also too, it's been interesting. We've had a bit of shifts, too, of what Keith and I do in the business. Yeah. And he's really gravitated towards code writing himself, and he does it throughout all the days and evenings and mornings and-~ ~whatever times. All of his spare moments. Get a text at 3:00 AM. Any spare moments, yeah. Yeah, whatever moments he would be,, messing with the technology and everything. And we actually have a patent now , for the technology that we have as well. Awesome. Might be working on a couple more as, at the same time.~ All right. Very cool. So, but it's just enabled us to think differently about how content's going to be consumed or even produced, everyone's either watching it or they're listening to it. I find myself putting on a show on YouTube, just listening to the conversation and doing my thing throughout the day, you know, but not really watching what's going on. But still going back and forth to seeing- And listening and, yeah ... who's on, what's going on. Absolutely. You know, kind of checking back in, checking out. So I wanna switch gears just a little bit, 'cause I think I wanna make sure that we cover this, 'cause I think this is super important. Yeah. And we've been talking about a, our studio being built [00:14:00] and Stud.io you built for people, and, and these are an investment, without a doubt. And it's not always accessible to everyone out there. What is accessible is you have some amazing space in the old Paramount building where the new Stud.io Me HQ is.~ It used to be over in East Liberty Garfield part of town. You guys moved over. It's so funny, when I would tell people about Stud.io Me, they're like, "Oh, the place in East Liberty."~ ~I'm like, "Formerly." Yes. "They're over here now in the, in the Paramount building." But what I think is amazing is you have some studio space available that's very affordable, so you can come in and shoot your own content which I think is just so cool that you have this because it's a tremendous resource for Pittsburgh. Y- whether you're in tech, what, business, whatever it is, the ability for someone to come in and create quality content at an affordable price is pretty important, and have friendly people there and good coffee- Yeah.~ ~who show up, 'cause you got good coffee there. Snacks. And snacks. Yeah. All kinds of soft drinks. Yeah. We, that, that's always been a main staple. Obviously, the studio was derived off of renting spaces- With the snacks ... to the public. With the snacks, yeah. Yeah. With snacks. Yeah, so we got a much larger space.~ ~We probably, our space is probably three times the size of our last space, and we were in East Liberty for almost nine and a half years- Right ... so that's why people would know- ... us being there. Right. In fact, we had visitors yesterday that- Right there ... , they did a walk in and they said- Are you guys the same guys that own the one in East Liberty?~ ~I'm like, "Oh, that was, that was us. We just moved." It was tough because we, we merged two businesses. We rebranded. We got a new logo. We changed our name slightly. We got a new place to live, new colors and everything. Wow. So like- It was a big year ... we totally did a facelift and moved on, and we kinda lifted ourselves from that and moved, 'cause we needed the space.~ ~That's great~ ~With a public space over there people can use. But I always like to call the studios different flavors or themes. Yeah. And some of our clients see that the same. So they might have a deep emotional conversation. They'll go to one of our darker studios, or if they want a more peppy- Oh~ ~conversation, they'll go to one of the brighter studios. Oh, that's interesting. So we've seen people move around because they have that flexibility and that freedom to. Hmm. So- We should be thinking about that. Yeah. I think you guys need to install some mood lighting for us. Yeah. Yeah. We need some- Yeah~ Like I said- I love that ... what makes a, a great podcaster though? Come on, everyone's, everyone's a podcast. Honestly, I would say- What's a great- ... I think au- authenticity is a big one because that's, I mean- I think podcasts are, part of the reason they're so successful nowadays is that it, it is just an authentic conversation. Talk shows used to be very staged, very scripted, and very fake. I, I remember even the days when they switched from standard definition to HD, and they still had the old standard definition makeup, and you could see everybody Interesting. See how thick they put the makeup on people before, before talk shows. So I think people n- they're just hungry for authenticity, and podcasts are great because for the most part they are unedited, they're raw. They're just people having conversations, and I think that's what everybody's,, looking for. So I would say , if you wanna [00:15:00] do a podcast, consistency because a lot of people- That's the biggest they'll just do three, and then they kind of give up. Yeah. And it's like- That's the biggest thing I tell everybody- Yeah. But it's always the biggest ... is like you gotta be in it for the long haul. Right. It's not like you do it once and three months later you come back and do another episode. No, you gotta line it up. Yeah. Well, you know what's also cool in this conversation is that Jonathan and I love what we do. Mm. If that doesn't emanate... I mean, definitely- Yeah ... from him, but from me as well, right? 100%. And you know, you guys seem just happy and stoked to do that work, and that's sort of the magic, isn't it? ~That's always been the vision. It's kinda funny that when we started the studios, he had his video business that he was growing, and I was always in the design world as either a creative director or managing kind of like the creative team. And the vision was always just to get us completely focused on the thing that we started building.~ ~So the studio, for nine years, was always a passive thing on the side that ran itself, that we had the full team, we had the, the systems in place, and we always branched off and did our own things on either side of the business, but never came together. So that's why we did the merger, was every couple of years there's always this natural crossing of paths that has been happening with us.~ ~Yeah, so yeah, what pushed you over the edge to, to merge? What, Parrish Digital with, with Studio Me? Yeah. What was the story behind that? It was just- It was- Yeah ... it was the right time. I mean, w- th- this is, that was what we wanted to do in the first place, but- Okay ... they are two sort of different audiences, and we were just waiting to that point where the overlap was great enough to kind of pressure them together.~ You know, the timing was right in, in the market, and we wanted to scale both sides of the business and knew we could do that better- It's great ... together. I think it's fantastic. It was a natural... You could see it. The writing was on the wall, and every year something had changed with the studios, the technology. It was always a writing on the wall situation where even the folks that work at our studio or on any of our teams, they'll say, "Hey, isn't it time for... Maybe we should do this." I'm like, "We were just talking about it." Okay. So, everyone's mentality is the same a little bit, almost like a hive mind a little way. Nice. That they're all thinking that. So when it [00:16:00] came to- What did we do in the merger? One of our guys stood u- stood up. He goes, "So what's going on next?" He's "I can feel it. What's happening?" Yeah. And we're like, "We literally are talking about this now." And then today we celebrated one of our, our guys' 10 years with us. That's amazing. And yeah, he was our, he was our- That is... How cool is that? He was our f- one of our first studio managers, and now he works as a producer f- on the production side. But, , he... , what he said he loved about... 'Cause we were all reflecting on the, the last decade, and he said what he loves the most about our business is that he feels like we always get to the point where, you know, you... where Joe and I start feeling stagnation, and we're ready , to just do the next thing. 'Cause,, one thing I think everybody hates is just when things are stagnant all the time. And so- ... we're always thinking about that, and we're always thinking about what can we do next to, to get us over that next, , phase of business. ~Keep starting that. Or even our personal lives, we can't stand not s- stopping. Okay. So I'm either pacing in my kitchen- Where are you going with this? Well, it's like I'm either pacing in my kitchen and my wife's telling me to sit down- ... or he's texting me about something we should do next, or something's happening, or I gotta change this.~ ~Let's dig up the backyard and do something new. So that's a natural... we're always naturally thinking- That's good. Perfect ... about changing. That's perfect. So yeah, we're always- The world's gym. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. So we're always thinking about what's next. That's really perfect. Well, it goes to show you, , when you go to the gym-~ ~you don't know who you're gonna meet sometimes. Yeah. And it could be something that completely changes your life, which is- No, but I mean, it's great ... so cool they were open to it. Yeah. They were some- But it's also, it's- So there was some receptivity that occurred, and then obviously something- Well, it's hard to have-~ ~synchronous ... it's hard to find business partners. It's hard to have a- Oh my God, it is harder than being married. Yeah. So We used to joke about that ... we joke about it- That's so good. I love it ... that we're bound by contract that we have together. Like the studio is our baby. Our kids are at the studio.~ ~That studio is our house. Yeah. You know, but yeah, we're, we're, we're opposites in a lot of ways, and then we're the same, and we're exactly where we need to be. And if there's any disagreement- Amazing ... we always know that we're talking about the bigger picture. It's awesome. So if it's something he says that is stupid, and I say something that's idiotic, we know it's-~ ~going towards the greater good. So, Yeah. You don't personalize. Yeah. So yeah, there's nothing- You don't personalize it ... we divide church and state. I'm, I'm godfather to one of his kids. So we have a- Nice Ah, that's tight ... we have a big and little brother relationship a little bit going on.~ ~Yeah. It was li- and also just a great partnership, so. It's awesome. Wow. It's, it's strange how we're complete opposites in some ways, but then we gel together in some, so it just works. And the opposites I think work, work together too. You know, like- Joe's got a lot of structure where I don't.~ ~Yeah. You know, things like that. And sometimes it's better not to have the structure and sometimes it's better- Yeah. Yeah ... to have the structure. Oh, absolutely. You know, to... So- Absolutely ... there's all kinds of examples. I like to be in front of people, he doesn't. Right. So, I go out and talk to people.~ ~I hate being on the podcast. Oh, really? I didn't notice~ that. So it, it's just- So- It makes it easier. So before we wrap it up, what's the feedback that you have for Jonathan and I? Yeah. Feedback? What do you mean by feedback? So good. Yeah, like how could we be better- I thought you guys knocked it out of the park. I, I think- Well, thank you ... that's why we built the coaches. You don't need our feedback. You need- The coach is on right now, basically. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But, I mean, the coaches aren't giving [00:17:00] us feed- Yeah ... really feedback. They're giving us some ideas. You have some good quotes here though, which I love. Yeah. I put, I wanna bring some of these quotes into our conversation. That, that Oprah quote is my quote. Is that your quote? That's not Oprah's quote. "Authenticity is the most important thing." I say that all the time. I think Oprah said that too. I don't think Oprah says that. I'm, I'm going with Oprah on that one. But I digress. But this has been an amazing conversation. It's just, like I said, it's just a joy for me to get you guys in the studio so we could just talk to you about it, because I'm very proud of the work that you guys have done for us. Yeah. So you've done- Huge ... an amazing job here. And, like I said, you've upped our game now at the Tech Council. We can tell better stories now, Audrey. It's great. Thank you. You've really helped us. It's a great space. Yeah, it's- This is no BS. Thank you. Well, thanks for- You've really helped us ... believing in us, that, we could build this for you. Yeah. It's great. Good stuff all the way around. And so thanks for being in the Huntington Bank Studios. And you'll come back again and see all the other changes I've done or things that I might have potentially broken. But that's okay, but- Well, no, thanks again ... oh, my goodness. Appreciate it. Yeah. Good stuff. Audrey, until the next one. Until next time. Yeah. We just love- Thank you ... having these conversations as much as we can. And once again, it's been Jonathan Kersting. And Audrey Russo. And we are from the [00:18:00] Pittsburgh Tech Council, where we love telling people's stories, and I cannot wait to see you on the next one, everybody.
DQE's Nikki Marsh Details Why Fiber Is Pittsburgh's New Gold
What happens when Pittsburgh's nearly 30-year fiber powerhouse gets a jolt of fresh investment, new leadership and an AI-fueled market that can't get enough connectivity? Nikki Marsh, Chief Revenue Officer of DQE, joins TechVibe to pull back the curtain on why fiber has become the new gold in today's digital economy. With 5,000 miles of fiber across Western Pennsylvania and beyond, DQE is helping businesses, hospitals, data centers and communities stay connected with utility-grade reliability and a Pittsburgh-first mindset. Nikki explains why fiber is no longer a commodity, how AI and data centers are driving massive demand for bandwidth, and why DQE's "reliably reliable" approach goes far beyond keeping the network up. From enterprise connectivity and managed routers to SD-WAN, security, cellular failover and unified communications, DQE is building the easy button for businesses that need their networks to perform without finger-pointing or friction. This is a true Pittsburgh tech infrastructure story, one that shows how the region's fiber backbone is helping attract new industries, support business growth and position Western Pennsylvania for the next wave of AI-powered opportunity. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem. Transcript: DQE === [00:00:00] It's Jonathan Kersting here with the Pittsburgh Tech Council, and of course, Tech Vibe. I got to have the best conversations with some of the coolest people hanging out in Pittsburgh's tech sector, and today we are talking to Nikki Marsh of DEQE, and I love DEQE 'cause of its history. It goes back almost 30 years. They were doing fiber before fiber was cool, and- Yeah ... the moment of fiber is today, as far as I'm concerned. And I'm so excited to learn about how DEQE's been moving forward, and with you as the chief revenue officer, Nikki, what you guys are doing, you've really transformed the company 'cause there's new ownership there with DEQE. And over the past few years, you guys have made some pretty bold moves to really kinda take this company to some new levels, and I'm just so excited to explore this with you today 'cause I think it's a, it's a true Pittsburgh story in just so many ways. So thanks for hanging out with me today in the Huntington Bank Studios. Oh, it's fun to be here. Thank you. Glad to be here with you First off, you have an incredible background that I think people need to know about. If there's anyone that [00:01:00] knows your industry, it is you. You've been doing this your entire life. I think you were born like... Doing telecom? Doing telecom. Born into telecom. Give us a little bit about yourself and your background, so I'm Pittsburgh native, but I started in the telecom industry in the early 1990s- ... with NCI Telecommunications that was acquired by Verizon, so I've been in the industry for longer than I like to claim. That's okay, man. I love it. But, I've been really blessed with the experience because in evolving in the telecom sector, I've had the opportunity to be on both sides of the desk. Okay. Yeah. I was in telecom, telecom sales and leadership, but then I was able to take a little bit of a hiatus from my telecom sales career- and move to the other side of the desk where I was a global head of IT for a publicly traded company here in Pittsburgh and even in consulting. So I've gotten the best of both worlds and perspective on- The technology that we leverage in thinking about it, we live in Pittsburgh, and in all the telecom companies that I've worked for, Pittsburgh's like a tier [00:02:00] three city. Wow. We aren't getting the financial- Tier three. Oh, man. Yeah, we're not getting... No one is coming here and saying, "Oh, we want to invest in Pittsburgh." Interesting. Okay. It's Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, Nashville. They view Pittsburgh as a little bit of a passe city, so we're not getting those investments, and that was disheartening for me- Yeah ... as I live here, raising my children here, want to continue to see this city thrive- economically- and make sure that, there's a future for my family here. And when I thought about it, I thought the best way to ensure that is to use the expertise that I have, take advantage of this opportunity with DQE, who is fully invested in Pittsburgh- 100% ... with their fiber assets, and allow them to grow and ensure that, as a city, we continue to develop- and can attract the right industry. Having that infrastructure today is so critical for our city to continue to thrive, so that's what appealed to me. I was like- I like that ... "I want to go do that." I like the way you turned that around. Yeah. I think that's a very cool way of looking at it, [00:03:00] and the idea that literally fiber is the foundation of our businesses. It doesn't get any more basic than that, than having like envelopes and stuff. It's it's just basic things like electricity, but it's the most powerful thing out there, because without it, you're not going too far, and that's why the fact that DQE, with its history of 30 years just doing fiber, and at a, at a utility grade- Pretty powerful stuff It is. You think about it, there is no industry today that doesn't rely on some element of fiber- ... whether it's your fiber connectivity or cloud connectivity- Okay ... or internet connectivity. That infrastructure has become the cornerstone for every business. And the beauty of DQE was the fact that being born out of utility, critical infrastructure, reliable infrastructure was inherent in everything that they had to do. Exactly. Could you imagine the power company not having reliable infrastructure? So that being said, they [00:04:00] built this asset that now everybody demands and needs. When I ... 10 years ago, I would've told you fiber was a commodity. Today, it is not because everybody needs it, and they can't produce enough fiber f- fast enough- Exactly with AI, the data centers that are basically consuming all the fiber that is out there. Fiber has become, something that now is in great need, is very critical to everybody. We can't deliver it fast enough. I love hearing that because I think about what an awesome business opportunity is for you to be putting this together for us. And how many miles of fiber do you have? You have a pretty intense infrastructure going on here. So we have 5,000 miles- . and I feel like we're growing every day. It's amazing. We continue to add mileage every day here in Western Pennsylvania- ... but in the tri-state area, we continue- Yeah, you're heading out like, yeah, like Maryland and things like that? Maryland, we lit Hagerstown, Maryland this year. Okay. We still have York, Lancaster- Love it ... [00:05:00] Harrisburg. We're in the process of lighting up Carlisle and Hanover. We're up into State College and Altoona and into West Virginia. Oh my goodness. We continue to expand our fiber assets, and really, that's by the demand of our customers. ~Of course. Our customers are expanding in that respect, and, and it just grows organically that way. And what I love hearing is that you're talking about some rural areas. I hear words like Carlisle and York, and how important is it to have robust connections to these rural areas so everybody can have access?~ ~Even in the likes of Hagerstown and York, a l- and, and West Virginia, while they don't have a lot of diverse options, with the network being so critical now, right? Yeah. We rely on internet. Before, it might have been our email or our browsing. Now, internet, for many people, is how they communicate via telephone.~ ~It's how they work. In hospitals, the network connectivity is how they keep abreast of therapies or what they're going to prescribe. Yeah. Critical infrastructure is- The utmost important for most of the industries in our market today, and there was not a lot of diversity around. So in these rural areas, they maybe had one or two options.~ ~Like I live in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, where for the longest time I had Consolidated. Okay. One option. One option. And imagine if you're a business that's up in the Cranberry market and you had one option. Yeah. ~What do you do for resiliency and reliability? Exactly. So the fact that we're expanding into these markets gives these businesses and the institutions an alternative option so that they can have what we call high availability or really reliable connectivity. You just said a word that I wanna talk about. You said reliable. Yeah. 'Cause everyone says they're reliable, but your thing is reliably reliable, which I think is fantastic, and it goes back to the utility grade of what DEQ has built over the past three decades. Oh. Which to me is talk about solid. Oh my goodness, like you can really stand behind those words. Why does that resonate with you? Reliability. Yeah. As I mentioned, think about being a patient on a hospital bed or going into the ER. [00:06:00] Today, hospitals rely on the connectivity to the cloud-based medical records to know if you have an allergy, to know what type of medicine they could prescribe. Reliability to know that it's always up, that even if there's an outage, that I have two diverse routes. To know- Yeah ... that I have connectivity. Reliability comes from always on, right? Many years ago you would say- I, I came from another carrier. We would always talk about every carrier touts that they're reliable, but at the end of the day, reliability is defined by many characteristics. ~Yeah. So is my network always up? Okay, it's technology. We know that an outage or a network's going to happen. But how do you respond? Do you respond with the same urgency knowing the impact that you're having- Mm ... on my business? Or are you letting me be out for 24 hours, right? Oh, goodness.~ So reliability in our world comes from having a network that you can rely on. Being built utility grade has us at the top of the rating in terms of network reliability. Yeah. But we couple that with a reliable team that you know when you call in, you're not getting an offshore third-party- There's [00:07:00] someone sitting here, right- There's somebody- answering that call ... sitting here. In fact, the reality is not only are people sitting here, we probably are in your community. We go to that same hospital, same school, same grocery store, same bank that maybe is impacted. So we have that same empathy and urgency as if we were an extension of your team. 100%. We are fully invested in ensuring that our customers' reliability goes well beyond the network is up. ~That's awesome, and I love the passion you give when you tell me that, 'cause I know you live and breathe this stuff every day. Yeah. Which I, it goes to show a lot. It's easy to say, "Of course we're reliable," whatever, whatever.~ ~And it's no, you guys, it's in your blood there. And I think a part of that is also i- this is just for business use only, correct? Yeah. That's something I think to make clear, which is really, I think, very important to bring out, right? Exactly. So you think about a lot of your internet options that are out there available to your home.~ ~Yeah. Most of them are w- broadband, cable, et cetera. They are built for consumer. They have a consumer SLA. We- SLA is the service level agreement. Which means what is your commitment to me for reliability, availability, mean time to repair and respond? Those have very different SLAs associated with that.~ We are built strictly- For enterprises, which means we have the highest level standards of not just the uptime and reliability, but service and response times. Business-only focus, we get the impact and the need for this critical infrastructure, and everything we do is built with that mindset of being business-focused. Which is why I go back to when I started the show off, was the idea that, that i- if there's a time for fiber, it is now. When we look at the [00:08:00] explosion of AI and the amount of data being hauled around, I just feel my goodness. I think as you said before, what you thought was once gonna be a commodity is now something that there's just not enough of. And that to me is wow, there's such a cool opportunity for DQE here. We can't grow it fast enough- Yeah. ... is the way that we explain. Oh my goodness. You think about how AI has expanded your capacity needs. I can think of a day when, I was, in a telecom company where 1.5 megabits was a lot of internet. Exactly. And then you think about my kids are complaining that I have less than a gig at home. Exactly. Oh my goodness. And now I have customers whose demands- ... because of AI and the learning of AI, have s- expanded their needs to 100 gig and 400 gig, and we just recently now are having customers with 800 gig inquiries. Wait. Eight- Back up. 800 gigs. 800 gigs. Oh my goodness. And, it's all prompted by, we talk about supply and demand. . We can't put the fiber in the ground [00:09:00] fast enough. You're using technology to ensure that you can get the greatest throughput through it. But even at that, it's growing exponentially. Wow. I used to say yearly, but now it's monthly, and it's all because of AI, this, the machine learning. Everybody's using the learning of Claude, ChatGPT, using it , for medicine. It's learning as it's consuming this data and this input That is growing by leaps and bounds That's crazy That is the unique nature of the industry- Yeah that we're in is it is for the first time in a long time where I've seen that in this industry, fiber is, it's like gold It's like gold. It's like gold. It's, that's what it seems like at this point. That, it's just amazing to me to see this, and I still go back to this 'cause I'm a history nerd. 30 years ago, like they, they laid the foundations of putting all this fiber in the ground, and obviously you need to continue to grow. Which direction do you grow? And I, I feel like you could just start putting it anywhere and people are gonna be tapping, [00:10:00] businesses will be tapping into this. You think about, here where we are, we have over 132 data centers already built, and this is where the AI learning, and every day, particularly in our market- Yeah the demand is growing. We're constantly building out to new areas. One example is, the, the interest that is coming to Western Pennsylvania for data centers. We have the power, we have the energy. That's creating more of a demand. We're so blessed that DQE Duquesne Light early on invested in this fiber infrastructure. It's so hard to build through the roads of Pittsburgh. Yeah. And we've got, we've got a river. If you don't have a river, you have a bridge. If you don't have a bridge, you have a railroad. Mountains and hills. And then you have, a, a highly populated old street. It is hard to build that infrastructure here. We're really fortunate that they had the foresight for their own technology to put that in our environment to make that available for us, which is positioning all of us in the industries that are coming here to capitalize on that [00:11:00] fiber asset that's out there, to be able to grow and, and consume the data assets and be prepared for AI. And now it's also positioning us for the other industries that are looking to come here. Yeah. It makes me feel like we have this competitive advantage to other regions. So it's, it's two things, right? You keep hearing in the... It's about we- we're blessed to have the power infrastructure, the grid that existed here from being the- Yeah ... industrial area- Exactly ... and supporting the previous population. We have the land. There's water for anybody that's considering water, cooling and generation, which the technology is well changed beyond leveraging water. Exactly. But now the fact that there is the availability of close in proximity fiber assets, couple that with everything that we have preexisting, it really positions Pittsburgh for growth. ~It does. And now I would have to assume with the amount of fiber that you have you're probably carrying other people's traffic for them to get into buildings and stuff because it's like you're, you are the main route I would have to assume.~ ~We have over 3,500 physical buildings lit in Pittsburgh, where we are the fiber entrance in... And I'm talking about- Yeah ... in our- densely populated geography, many of the other service providers and carriers have to use us because you can't dig into a street. Just, it's too hard to get into the building.~ ~Where else are you gonna put a hole in the ground, right? So we are the access provider for many other, what we call long haul providers, who are delivering services to Pittsburgh. We also light a lot of the towers, the f- cellular towers, that are in our region. And from that perspective, we are the core backbone to many of the data centers- Yeah~ ~and getting out to Ashburn and getting out to Columbus and where the hyperscalers exist. That's ... i, I was excited to join DQE because they have an asset that I know not only will grow Pittsburgh, but that is extremely valuable for all of the industries and seeing Pittsburgh thrive. Yeah.~ So you've been on board there for a few years now. Y- you gotta be like "Wait, this is probably better than I thought it was gonna be." I- I hope that's the answer. No, I will tell you it's been an amazing experience- Yeah ... of culture. There's nothing like working with Pittsburgh people- Definitely because they are down home [00:12:00] people. Here, everybody is a family, and everybody cares about every customer. Like, when we had recent storms, how nice it was to have customers- ... come and say, "Oh, my goodness." "We had a storm. Your person went and got a generator. Your person- Really? ... ran and got us a cable. Y- your person was there immediately." We're all part of the Pittsburgh family. Yeah. Everybody wants to help. That's a culture, a, like a, a together can-do culture that I haven't seen in 25 years. That's gotta be so much fun for you then. So it is a lot of fun- it's really nice. And- Definitely ... we believe everybody is on this charter together. Everybody's invested in Pittsburgh and Western PA together. It's been a wonderful opportunity. Aside from that, there was apprehension. Private equity companies- Of course. Absolutely. Yeah ... buying this. You never really know. It's been an amazing private equity experience because they are invested in the technology, whereas many, I feel like, are [00:13:00] bleeding the revenue out. Yeah, they wanna come and- That is not the model ... optimize it and then flip it over and, yeah. It's how can we grow, how can we invest, to the point that being owned by private equity, if you think about it, Duquesne Light owned us. I don't wanna say, we were like a stepchild that made a little bit of extra money- Yeah ... while it was their network that we supported. They did a great foundation, but now being part of private equity has allowed us to take it to the next level. They've made capital investments that allow us to grow, upgrade technology, really focused on customer experience. So we're investing beyond the fiber infrastructure- Awesome into that, ... in our application development, portal experience, arming our customers with frontline applications to see their network uptime real-time, to see performance. Like we arm our customers with a map of all their sites, red, green, yellow. You know what is up and down. You can go get performance experience. We're making it easier for them. These are investments that other companies would've said, "Ah, what's the ROI?" [00:14:00] They are all in on making us the white glove experience, best of the best, and they're investing to do that. That is a valuable differentiator that I don't think would've come to fruition- if we weren't owned by a company that was forward-thinking using AI and being on board with applications and automation, which has allowed us to take on and add products to our portfolio, right? So- Tell, tell me about some of these new products that you have kicking in. Yeah So beyond the fiber assets that we have in place, we have layered on additional products. So we've always had lit services and dedicated internet. Now we're able to manage the equipment that is on the end, so we can do managed router. Manage SD-WAN, manage firewall, manage security. We can even augment the wireline services with cellular services for cellular failover, and now we've also made available unified communications applications. So your calling, your contact center, all of those services that [00:15:00] traverse a network, we're bringing it to bear- Interesting ... for our customers to be the easy button. So it's like turnkey really. It is absolutely turnkey. I can imagine a business having three or four or five different vendors to make all that happen, and then trying to get it to, come together. Wow. If you can come to somebody and you can take care of that and have it all under one roof, that's got to create some crazy efficiencies. It elim- it eliminates the finger-pointing. Yeah. A long time ago you'd have phone and you'd have network, and you'd be like, "Okay, my phone's not working." It's your network." My network's not working. It's, it's, you know- Exactly. ... my, I'm not getting what I experienced. So now having this all in one place, we're able to see things end to end, so we can immediately diagnose if there's an issue, triage it, isolate it, and resolve it. So if it's the phone is having a call quality issue because of the network, we've got it. If it's the phone is down because of the network, we've got it. If in fact you need some unique, distributed application for your calling, contact center, et cetera- You got it. ... we've [00:16:00] got the network solution to do this. I love it. So it becomes the easy button, not only from an implementation and purchasing, but anytime from a troubleshooting as well. Cool. Yeah. So it's it's... Again, we've been able to do this in the last two years with the evolution of the investments from private equity and the visionary perspective of the CEO- It's been a great story ... Mike Cicoli. Yep. Yeah. It's de- definitely been a great story to date, because I, I remember when it was sold, it was like, oh my God they've been around forever. ~What, wait, what's happening here? And it's what are those private equity guys doing? It's no, they're actually doing a pretty cool job here. They're not doing that typical yeah, bleed it and get the heck out, but they're, they're investing in it and it shows. They are. And I see your passion coming through as we talk about what you're able to provide to a business, and to me that's just That's just key And- So key~ they're constantly telling us "What else can you build? You have this infrastructure, you've got these pipes and these connectivities to the data center." "Think visionary. What else do people need across these pipes? Make them smarter." Exactly. That's what we're, that's we're, we're starting to focus on is how- It's exciting do we make these pipes, this connectivity, these super highways, how do we make it smarter for our customers and our end users? It's a great story, and I think, I know, it makes me happy that you guys are in town continue to grow. You've, you've become a, a bigger and better DEQ. And I, I go back to it. I feel like this has become such a [00:17:00] resource for the region because I feel like, A, it's gonna make our businesses stronger, and I think it helps maybe attract new businesses as well, too, because I do believe, as you mentioned, we're not using any less AI anytime soon. No. So we're just gonna need more and more fiber and to make it more efficient, and I just think it's a magical story. And it's one of these stories I feel like this is one of the many reasons why you're making Pittsburgh proud, simple as that, because this is what makes us tick, and you're at the infrastructure level of this thing. No pun intended. It is. Literally the backbone for us to do what we need to do in business, which I think is just amazing. And Nikki, I can't thank you enough for hanging out with me here- Sure. It was nice ... at the Huntington Bank Studios. These conversations just make me so happy 'cause I'm like, wow, so many cool things are going on in Pittsburgh, and here's just one of these stories that we've been telling that keep stacking up. I keep having a good time, and I wish you guys continued success as you grow DQE. Thank you. Yeah. We appreciate the opportunity to be here and share our story. We, we believe that we can continue to contribute to your- Yeah ... success too. That's what it's all about. They say you guys are reliably reliable. That's right. And so we're never gonna [00:18:00] hold onto that, 'cause that is absolutely true. And in case you forgot, this is Jonathan Kersting with the Pittsburgh Technology Council having conversations like this each and every day, having way too much fun, and I cannot wait to see you on the next one, everybody.
Branding Beyond Logos: Pittsburgh's Carlos Tribino Talks About Storytelling That Builds Movements
What if your brand isn't really your logo, your tagline or even your product features? In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting hangs out with Carlos Tribino of The Machine for a fired-up conversation on what truly builds lasting brands: story, belief, authenticity and the emotional glue that turns customers into fans. Carlos brings serious global branding chops to the conversation, with experience working on brands like Ferrari, Giorgio Armani, Walt Disney and The Economist. But this discussion goes far beyond big-name brand-dropping. Carlos breaks down why branding is not a cosmetic exercise, why great storytelling creates real business value and how companies can move from selling features to building movements. From Apple and Patagonia to IBM, Liquid Death, Fender, Duolingo and The Economist, Carlos shows how the strongest brands stand on a foundation of truth, then amplify it through stories people want to believe in, share and defend. He also brings the lesson home for Pittsburgh companies: stop being humble to a fault, discover your "why" and learn how to brag in an elegant way. Hit play to learn why storytelling is not fluff. It is value creation, market differentiation and maybe the most human tool a company has to grow. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburghs technology and innovation ecosystem.
Vintage Cars, City Streets and the Spirit of Pittsburgh
What happens when vintage race cars, Pittsburgh streets and one of the region's most beloved summer traditions all converge at full throttle? Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Executive Director Dan Del Bianco joins Mike Broeker of Bedford Management Partners to preview another action-packed year of racing, car shows and automotive camaraderie. They detail the return of the full Schenley Park course, Jaguar's starring role as Marque of the Year, a new Enthusiast Grid for tuner and import fans, drift-car rides and a packed calendar of events leading into race weekend. Dan also explains how the Grand Prix keeps shifting gears after more than four decades, including plans to replace the racing lost with the closure of Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Along the way, the conversation cruises through priceless race cars, dedicated volunteers, unforgettable Grand Prix memories and the more than $7 million the event has raised for local autism and intellectual and developmental disability charities. Buckle up. This episode proves the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is much more than a car show. It is a community-powered celebration that keeps Pittsburgh's summer running on premium. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Beyond Vibe Coding: Adam Wynne's APES Method Builds Software Ready for the Real World
Can AI help you build software faster without leaving your business swinging from a technological tree branch? Adam Wynne, founder of Pittsburgh-based Wynne Technologies, joins TechVibe to explain how his APES methodology, short for AI Project Engineering with Specs, takes AI-powered development beyond flashy demos and turns promising ideas into secure, scalable, production-ready products. Wynne details why vibe coding can produce something that looks appealing but may not be ready to support hundreds or thousands of customers. His approach applies specialized AI agents across the entire product-development jungle, from customer discovery and technical specifications to coding, testing, security reviews and ongoing operations. Hear how APES can build software up to 10 times faster, continually learn from emerging research and deploy teams of adversarial agents to inspect products from the perspectives of developers, users and security architects. Wynne also explores how the technology is helping companies improve sustainability, manage energy data and identify AI projects that deliver measurable business value. So grab a banana, meet Tom the ape and tune in for a conversation about building software that is more than just a pretty bunch of code. This episode is packed with practical insights for founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders ready to turn their next big idea into something truly scale-ape-able. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Is Pittsburgh Entering Its AI Investment Era?
What happens when outside investors begin placing major bets on Pittsburgh's AI founders, ideas and talent? On this episode of TechVibe, Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO Audrey Russo joins Jonathan Kersting to unpack a remarkable wave of AI investment sweeping across the region. From $50 million raises for Gray Swan and Sooth Labs to the continued growth of ProfitMind, Gecko Robotics and Abridge, Pittsburgh companies are attracting serious capital while proving that world-class AI businesses can be launched and scaled right here. Audrey explores why investors are betting heavily on founders, how Carnegie Mellon and the region's technology companies are fueling new startups, and why this burst of funding could create a powerful reputational snowball for Pittsburgh. The conversation also moves beyond the headlines to examine AI's real-world impact. Tune in to discover: Why Pittsburgh AI startups are attracting tens of millions of dollars from outside investors What investors really look for when backing companies that are still refining their technology and markets How experienced researchers and corporate technologists are becoming Pittsburgh entrepreneurs Why AI adoption at organizations such as Allegheny Health Network shows that the technology is moving from experimentation into everyday workflows Whether today's investment surge represents an AI bubble or the beginning of a much bigger regional opportunity It is a fast-moving look at the capital, companies and people positioning Pittsburgh for its next technology growth spurt.
AHN President Mark Sevco on AI, Startups and the Future of Health Care
Allegheny Health Network President Mark Sevco is helping shape one of the most important conversations in Western Pennsylvania: how health care evolves in a time of rapid technology change, financial pressure and growing community need. In this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo recap Sevco's recent Pittsburgh Technology Council Breakfast Briefing, where he shared his journey back to Pittsburgh, his vision for AHN and Highmark Health, and why technology will be a critical differentiator in the future of care. Sevco discusses how AHN is embracing AI, ambient listening, Epic, chatbots and predictive analytics to improve the patient experience and create care pathways that are simpler, faster and more reliable. He also explores how AHN works with startups and Innovation Works' AlphaLab Health to test and scale new ideas that solve real-world problems for patients, clinicians and the health care system. The conversation also dives into bigger pressures facing health care, including affordability, Medicaid changes, preventive care and how policy decisions can ripple through hospitals, employers and communities. Sevco points toward a future with more outpatient care, more home health, deeper AI investment, predictive analytics and precision medicine. Hit PLAY to hear why AHN's role as a payer-provider innovator, community anchor and technology adopter matters not only to patients, but to entrepreneurs, employers and everyone working to build a healthier Pittsburgh.
AMP'd Pittsburgh: Clark Testing, Nuclear Power, Space and Serious Innovation
Plug in and turn it up. The debut episode of TechVibe's AMP'd Pittsburgh kicks off with Paul Heffernan of Clark Testing, a company proving that some of the world's most critical products are tested, validated and battle-hardened right here in the Pittsburgh region. Host Jonathan Kersting goes inside Clark Testing's Jefferson Hills campus, where giant shake tables, seismic simulations, structural testing, lubricant labs and cybersecurity certifications all come together to support manufacturers across nuclear power, rail, defense, energy, space exploration and more. From testing equipment bound for nuclear power plants and submarines to helping validate components for NASA's Artemis launch system, Clark Testing is one of those Pittsburgh companies quietly keeping the world moving, powered and safe. Heffernan shares how Clark Testing acts as an extension of its customers' engineering teams, helping companies bring products to market with confidence. The conversation explores the company's massive new shake table, its role in supporting the energy grid and data center boom, its work with ASTM laboratories around the world, and why Pittsburgh's manufacturing legacy is still shaping the future. AMP'd Pittsburgh is all about turning up the volume on advanced manufacturing, and this first episode hits hard: global impact, local talent, serious technology and a whole lot of Pittsburgh grit. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh's Echelon Risk + Cyber Cracks the Inc. 5000 at 433! Learn How They Did it
Want some amazing business-building insights to crack the Inc. 5000? Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe sits down with Dan Desko, founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, to talk about the company's rapid growth and Inc. 5000 ranking at #433. Desko explains Echelon as a full-service cybersecurity firm offering professional and managed services, including governance, risk and compliance, pen testing, defensive engineering, and security team-as-a-service led by virtual CISOs, with partners like CrowdStrike. He credits their success to intentionally defined core values: being client-centric, prioritizing teamwork, hiring people with personality (not clones), facing issues head-on through trust and leader modeling, keeping culture fun with "more cowbell," and a sixth value, "turning pro," meaning continual improvement with no mountaintop. They also discuss "Echelon," the company's annual remote-first team gathering, including hikes in places like Asheville, to sustain culture and celebrate wins. The Pittsburgh Technology Council, produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and Innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh's SoftWriters Brings AI to Long-Term Care Pharmacy
What happens when AI moves beyond buzzwords and starts helping pharmacists get critical medications to patients faster, safer and more accurately? On this episode of TechVibe Radio, we welcome LiAna Tschen, VP of Platform Operations at SoftWriters, and Danielle Greer, VP of Product, to explore how the Pittsburgh-based company is bringing intelligent automation into long-term care pharmacy. SoftWriters powers pharmacy operations for facilities where accuracy, speed and scale are mission-critical, with some customers processing thousands of prescriptions every day. LiAna and Danielle detail how SoftWriters built its AI implementation around one of the most labor-intensive and error-prone parts of pharmacy workflow: order entry. They explain why the company created an internal AI innovation center, how customer feedback shaped the project, and why keeping humans in the loop remains essential when patient safety is on the line. They also share how SoftWriters balanced its core platform work with AI experimentation, spending more than a year testing, validating and building trust before going live. Listen to learn how SoftWriters is using AI to tackle staffing shortages, margin pressure and growing demand in long-term care pharmacy, while keeping the patient at the center of every decision. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
AHN President Mark Sevco on Tech, AI and the Future of Health Care in Pittsburgh
It is not every day you get to sit down with someone helping shape the future of health care across Western Pennsylvania. In this special TechVibe conversation, Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council talks with Mark Sevco, President of Allegheny Health Network, ahead of his upcoming Breakfast Briefing on June 11. Sevco brings deep Pittsburgh roots, decades of health care leadership experience and a clear focus on how AHN can use technology, innovation and community partnerships to create better outcomes for patients across the region. Listeners will hear how AHN is thinking about some of the biggest opportunities in health care technology, including AI, ambient listening, chatbots, Epic, predictive analytics and more personalized care pathways. Sevco explains why health systems must become obsessed with patient satisfaction and use technology to make health care simpler, faster, more reliable and easier to navigate. The conversation also explores how AHN works with startups and entrepreneurs through its innovation efforts, including ways emerging companies can bring ideas forward to solve real-world problems in care delivery, operations, research and patient experience. Sevco also previews how AHN and Highmark are thinking about affordability, access and quality as part of a payer-provider model built for the future. Beyond technology, Sevco digs into AHN's role as a community anchor, from addressing health disparities to supporting prevention, wellness, screenings, education and partnerships with schools, churches and local organizations. Attend the Breakfast Briefing to hear Sevco go deeper on AHN's vision for the next decade of health care, including the rise of outpatient care, home health, AI-powered access, predictive analytics, precision medicine and what it will take to keep Western Pennsylvania healthier for generations to come. Register here. The Pittsburgh Technology Council Produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh' technology and innovation ecosystem.
Pittsburgh's Ecotone Renewables Turns Food Waste Into Fertilizer
Can food waste become one of Pittsburgh's next big innovation stories? On this episode of TechVibe, we're talking with Dylan Lew, Co-Founder of Ecotone Renewables, a Pittsburgh company turning discarded food into data, fertilizer and serious climate impact. Ecotone's Zeus biodigesters are built inside reused shipping containers, powered by smart automation and designed to transform food scraps into a locally produced fertilizer called Soil Sauce. We'll dig into how Ecotone got its start, why food waste is a bigger greenhouse gas problem than most people realize, how AI helps customers understand what they're throwing away, and why these colorful containers are popping up with companies, hospitals and campuses. Give it a listen! This is Pittsburgh innovation with dirt under its fingernails and data in its engine room. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
AlphaLab Demo Day Returns With 21 Pittsburgh Startups
What happens when 21 startups spend five months getting sharpened, challenged and prepared for the real world? Innovation Works' AlphaLab Demo Day is back for the first time since COVID, and TechVibe takes you inside the room where Pittsburgh's next wave of startups stepped into the spotlight. Hear from Aaron Tainter on how AlphaLab helps founders de-risk their businesses, sharpen their go-to-market strategies and connect with the region's startup ecosystem. Then meet four companies from the cohort building across batteries, health care, agtech and consumer intelligence: SeaLion Energy, which is developing battery technology designed to last up to 10 times longer; MedMiro, which is creating better ways to secure and manage surgical tubes; Hermes Vision, which is using drones and AI for precision weed management; and Gratis Intelligence, which is digitizing product sampling for consumer brands. From robotics and life sciences to AI and real-world customer discovery, this episode captures why AlphaLab Demo Day remains one of Pittsburgh's most important startup showcases, and why the region's innovation pipeline is humming again.
Comcast's Goal: A Better Way to Watch the World Cup
What if the best seat for the 2026 FIFA World Cup isn't in the stadium, but right on your couch? In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Vito Forlenza, VP of Sports and Entertainment at Comcast, and Kelly Wright, Director of Sports Marketing at Comcast, about how Xfinity is preparing to turn World Cup viewing into a full-on immersive experience. With the largest World Cup ever kicking off across North America, featuring 48 teams and 104 games, Comcast is bringing serious technology to the pitch. Vito and Kelly detail how Xfinity is making matches easier to find, faster to watch and more exciting to experience, whether fans are tuning in English or Spanish, watching live, catching up on highlights or building their own sports command center at home. Hear how Comcast is using AI-powered catch-up highlights to help fans jump straight to goals, penalties, corners and other big moments. They also explain how multi-view lets viewers watch up to four live events at once, so you can follow World Cup action without missing MLB, WNBA, golf, F1 or other favorite sports. And yes, the tech gets even cooler. Comcast is delivering all 104 matches in real-time 4K with Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos sound and low latency, plus a new Smart Boost Wi-Fi feature designed to keep your stream from getting tackled by busy home internet traffic. From kickoff to extra time, this episode scores big for anyone who loves sports, technology and a front-row seat without the sunburn.
The Wild West of AI: Cybersecurity Lessons from Pittsburgh's CUSTOS IQ
Artificial intelligence is racing into every corner of business, but too many organizations are still treating it like a shiny productivity toy instead of a serious cybersecurity and business-risk issue. On this episode of TechVibe Radio, Jonathan Kersting talks with Isabelle Syring and Robert Ragan of CUSTOS IQ about how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, especially for companies using large language models, Microsoft Copilot, browser-based AI tools and AI-powered systems in critical industries like energy, manufacturing, oil and gas. CUSTOS IQ breaks down why the "Wild West" phase of AI adoption is creating real exposure for organizations: employees using personal accounts, confidential data being fed into AI tools, weak or nonexistent policies, unpatched browsers, supply chain pressure and a lack of oversight around AI-generated outputs. The conversation also explores deeper risks like model poisoning, data accuracy problems, prompt hijacking and the danger of relying on AI without human expertise in the loop. Isabelle and Robert also explain how CUSTOS IQ helps companies move from reactive cybersecurity to a business-aligned, turnkey approach that blends secure systems engineering, compliance, legal considerations and practical AI usage policies. Their message is clear: AI can be an incredible tool, but only when it is built on a strong cybersecurity foundation and guided by people who know how to question, verify and control the outputs. From protecting intellectual property to securing OT/IT systems powering the next wave of data centers, this episode is a smart, timely look at how businesses can embrace AI without letting it run feral through the server room. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.
Circling Back With Pittsburgh's Cybersecurity Super Force: Qintel
What happens when national security, advanced data technology and a culture of "people first, mission always" all collide inside one fast-moving Pittsburgh company? That is exactly what we're digging into on this episode of TechVibe as we welcome back Damon Mathews of Qintel. The last time Damon joined us, we only scratched the surface of what Qintel is building, and we knew we had to go deeper. This time, we're pulling back the curtain on the secret sauce behind Qintel's global threat intelligence work, from helping government partners track and disrupt serious threats to using data, analytics, visualization and AI to save precious time when every second matters. We'll also talk about Qintel's unique culture, why the company hires for people as much as positions, and how Damon's 22 years as a Marine intelligence officer make this mission feel like a natural next chapter. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to Explore Pittsburgh's Technology and innovation ecosystem.
Top Takeaways From Cyburgh's Keynote Featuring the FBI
Last week's Cyburgh's keynote address brought together law enforcement, legal prosecution and frontline cybersecurity perspectives to deliver a ransomware reality check rooted in action, timing and preparation. Featuring Richard Evanchec, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office; Kelly Locher, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and David Kane of Ethical Intruder as moderator, the conversation set the tone for the day's ransomware discussions by focusing on what actually changes outcomes once an organization is under attack. This Sunday's TechVibe features key insights from both Evanchec and Locher that you can apply to your business today. Tune in and geek out with us! And keep your company safe, too. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.
The Pittsburgh Startup Helping Students Find Their Path Through AI and Storytelling
What if Pittsburgh held the blueprint for helping more young people become innovators in an AI-driven world, and it was built through gaming, storytelling, digital twins, and STEAM? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we talk with Damola and Wole Idowu of TOYZ Electronics about the bold vision behind DAH Varsity AI and TOYZ STEAM. Their platform is designed to help students discover their strengths, connect personal passion to real opportunity, and build the mindset needed to thrive in what Damola calls the "Intelligence Age." From hip hop and culture to robotics, VR, engineering, and AI agents, this conversation explores how innovation can become more accessible, more personal, and far more inclusive. You'll hear how TOYZ Electronics is already gaining traction with thousands of downloads, thousands of student profiles, and hundreds of students directly impacted in Pittsburgh. You'll also get a powerful look at why Damola and Wole believe the future belongs to people who can innovate, not just compute, and why Pittsburgh has the ingredients to lead if it invests in overlooked talent. This is a high-energy conversation about AI, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and building systems that help more people see themselves in the future. Listen in to hear how a Pittsburgh-built platform is aiming to unlock the next generation of creators, engineers, and entrepreneurs before the future races ahead without them. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.