Pittsburgh has transformed from an industrial powerhouse into one of America’s most advanced technology and manufacturing centres. The city’s blend of research excellence, modern infrastructure and entrepreneurial drive has made it a global leader in robotics, artificial intelligence and precision manufacturing.
Pittsburgh’s Innovation Landscape
Pittsburgh’s economy is built on reinvention. Once known as the steel capital of the United States, it is now recognised as a dynamic centre for innovation. The region is home to more than 2,800 manufacturing businesses and nearly 1,000 energy and technology firms, employing tens of thousands across high-value industries.
At the centre of this transformation is Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), whose pioneering work in robotics and AI has positioned Pittsburgh as a global benchmark for advanced technology. The university hosts over 50 research centres, including the renowned Robotics Institute and National Robotics Engineering Center, both of which lead cutting-edge development in automation and machine learning.
The city also benefits from strong connectivity. A $ 1.4 billion airport terminal redevelopment, modern freight links, and access to major interstate routes have strengthened Pittsburgh’s reach to both the East Coast and Midwest markets.
Innovation in Action: Sites Leading Change
Carnegie Mellon University – Swartz Centre for Entrepreneurship
Carnegie Mellon University is the foundation of Pittsburgh’s innovation ecosystem. The Swartz Centre for Entrepreneurship supports students, researchers and industry partners in turning technology into viable businesses. Companies that have originated from CMU collectively hold a valuation exceeding 650 billion US dollars, a figure that reflects the city’s ability to commercialise research.
The Swartz Centre provides education, mentoring and connections between academia and business, creating a culture where research and enterprise grow together.
RIDC Mill 19 and Hazelwood Green
A former steel mill reborn as a symbol of sustainable innovation, Mill 19 is managed by the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and is now home to leading organisations in robotics, advanced manufacturing and digital production. The 260,000-square-foot site features solar roofing, open-plan laboratories and collaborative industrial spaces.
Mill 19 houses the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a US Department of Defense-backed partnership that helps accelerate the adoption of robotics in manufacturing. Together with the wider Hazelwood Green development, it showcases how Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy has evolved into a high-tech, future-ready environment.
Neighbourhood 91 and Pittsburgh International Airport
Located at Pittsburgh International Airport, Neighbourhood 91 is the world’s first purpose-built campus for additive manufacturing and 3D printing. It brings together the entire supply chain, from materials and production to post-processing and quality testing within one integrated site.
Its position next to the airport gives manufacturers direct access to global freight routes, allowing faster delivery and reduced costs. Alongside the airport’s ongoing 1.4 billion US dollar terminal redevelopment, Neighbourhood 91 demonstrates how Pittsburgh is aligning innovation with infrastructure to attract investment and international collaboration.
What This Means for International Businesses
Pittsburgh offers a rare balance of research strength, affordability and industrial capability. Businesses locating here benefit from:
- Access to world-class research and talent through Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh
- Established leadership in robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing
- Competitive operating costs compared with major US technology hubs
- Excellent global connectivity by air, road and rail
- Support from regional partners such as the RIDC and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, who help businesses establish and expand operations
For companies in technology, robotics, manufacturing and energy, Pittsburgh provides the infrastructure, expertise and partnerships to grow and compete on a global stage.
Lessons from our recent Visit
Pittsburgh’s success is built on collaboration. Universities, developers and industry partners all share the same goal, to create technology that improves how the world builds, moves and powers its industries.
From witnessing the impressive AI and entrepreneurial infrastructure at Carnegie Mellon to exploring the regeneration of Mill 19, we saw a city that has not just adapted to change, but led it.
Pittsburgh is shaping the next generation of advanced manufacturing and robotics in the United States. With its world-class research, affordable business environment and renewed industrial landscape, it stands as a model of how innovation and heritage can grow together.
