Pittsburgh is a national leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, revolutionizing the fields of commuting, shopping, logistics, healthcare, space exploration, cybersecurity, machine learning, and more. A pioneer in AI, Carnegie Mellon University created the world’s first doctoral program in robotics and is the world's #1 AI Grad & Undergrad program. More than 105 robotics companies, such as Uber, Seegrid, Aurora, Bossa Nova, Gecko Robotics, Astrobotic, Bosch, and Facebook’s AI, are developing market solutions and shaping the industry’s future in Roboburgh. Most of the robotics jobs are concentrated in “Robotics Row,” a section of Pittsburgh spanning Lawrenceville and the Strip District packed with warehouses and factories ripe for reinvention, including the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) that designs, develops, and tests robotic systems, while the Pittsburgh Robotics Network is catalyzing the city’s robotics ecosystem. Astrobotics is developing space robotics technology - visit their Moonshot Museum.

Since local engineers began turning iron into inexpensive, flexible steel 170 years ago, Pittsburgh has been a leader in advanced manufacturing. Today we are home to 2,800 manufacturing establishments with 1,510 patents, continuing to shape the world through additive manufacturing, next-generation metals, coatings, and chemicals. Neighborhood 91 at the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation campus targets 3D production companies, powder storage, argon gas suppliers, and producers of railcar parts such as Wabtec. Shell Polymers in Beaver County is turning the region’s natural gas into an everyday household, consumer, and industrial products. The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute was created through Carnegie Mellon University to develop robotics-focused manufacturing. At the same time, Catalyst Connection provides consulting and training services to small manufacturers in southwestern Pennsylvania, accelerating revenue growth and improving productivity.

Life sciences and medicine are part of the lifeblood of Pittsburgh. Life-changing practices have thrived in Pittsburgh since Jonas Salk successfully tested the polio vaccine and talented physicians pioneered transplantation and immunology practices. Science, health, and biomedical companies are at the forefront of the region’s advancements in biotech, therapeutics, pharma, clinical research, and medical devices. Advances in concussion treatment, deep brain stimulation, stem cell transplantation, 3-D mammography, and more keep transforming lives. Pittsburgh is home to universities with research and technology labs, while biomedical education excels at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Some of the best hospitals in the nation are here: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is the busiest transplant center in the world, and the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is ranked as one of the ten best in the country for pediatric medicine.

Pittsburgh is among the top cities for educated young people, with more than 30 public and private universities in the surrounding region and billions of private and federal dollars invested in interdisciplinary scientific research and development. Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh produce cutting-edge engineers and researchers in robotics, artificial intelligence, and medical innovation. Here was born the first emoticon and the driverless car, while entertainment tech, behavior science, and nano-technology students are creating the world's future. Students also learn and work alongside renowned professors, engineers, and entrepreneurs at Duquesne, Chatham, Robert Morris, Point Park, and Carlow universities. Former steel mills along both rivers - the city's original superhighways - have been repurposed as research centers for life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

The Pittsburgh region has a historic role in energy production, particularly coal and oil. The very first U.S. oil was drilled in Titusville. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a global leader in nuclear power plant design, pioneered electricity use in industrial settings in 1884. With the recent discovery of the massive Marcellus Shale natural gas formation, the region is again at the forefront of bringing energy to the nation and the world. The largest energy companies in the region are Range Resources, EQT, Rice Energy, Chevron, and CONSOL Energy. The two Pittsburgh universities have special energy programs. The University of Pittsburgh Center for Energy at the Swanson School of Engineering focuses on five energy areas:  energy diversification, renewable energy, clean coal technologies, hydrogen, and environmental solutions. CMU’s Electric Industry Center is “the largest research effort in the world focused on interdisciplinary problems of the electric industry.” 

Pittsburgh is home to many established banks, credit unions, wealth management, investment, and insurance firms. Four banks whose headquarters are within Pittsburgh metro are among the world’s best banks, according to a newly released ranking published by Forbes: Dollar Bank – established in 1855 – is a full-service regional bank providing banking services to individuals & businesses; PNC Financial Services – based in 1845 – is the biggest bank by market share in PA, and provides banking, loans, and financial planning; First Commonwealth Bank – established 1934 – is a financial services company based in Indiana PA; and First National Bank Corp – established 1864 – is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states. BNY Mellon, one of the region’s biggest employers, has the second market share in PA and is the world's largest custodian bank.  S & T Bank – established in 1902 – is headquartered in Indiana, PA.

Pittsburgh's robust ecosystem is ripe for savvy professionals, entrepreneurs, or businesses wanting a competitive edge as the region allows companies and individuals to launch, grow and scale ideas that will define tomorrow. Fast-growing, deep-tech research-driven companies and startups in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, energy, life sciences, biotech, and manufacturing are growing in Pittsburgh. A strong foundation of organizations fosters and grows the local tech economy and talent base: Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh Robotics Network, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Rust Built, Innovate PGH, and Innovation Works. The region’s best-known success story is the language learning app Duolingo, which went public with a $6.5 billion valuation. The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence offers a dynamic mix of consulting, education, and networking opportunities. 

Pittsburgh is an increasingly attractive option as a business headquarters, particularly for research-intensive tech companies and materials innovators. In contrast, healthcare, education, state government, finance, automotive, retail, and advanced technology companies have a significant presence. Ten companies headquartered in the region made the Fortune 500 list for 2022: U.S. Steel, PNC Financial Services, PPG Industries, Dick's Sporting Goods, Alcoa, Arconic, Wabtec, Viatris, Wesco International, and Kraft Heinz Company (dual-HQ with Chicago), followed by American Eagle Outfitters, Howmet Aerospace, and EQT Corp. Other 100 multi-billion companies with headquarters in Pittsburgh are Eaton, Duolingo, GNC, Koppers, Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Health, Giant Eagle, LANXESS, UPMC, Kennametal, Westinghouse, BNY Mellon Bank, Federated Hermes, FedEx Ground and more. Many top-rated companies, such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Uber, Bosch, Apple, SAP, Shell, and more, are expanding.