Tech 50 2024 Winners Announced

The Pittsburgh Technology Council celebrated its annual Tech 50 Awards on Nov. 14, 2024, with more than 600 attendees to honor the fastest-growing and most innovative technology companies, tech-intensive service providers and CEOs in the Pittsburgh region.

Started in 1997, Tech 50 is the Tech Council’s biggest event for its members to connect with the region’s top companies in the following categories: AI/ML/Robotics; Consumer/Integrative Tech; Cybersecurity; Education/Community; Manufacturing – The Kurt J. Lesker III Award for Excellence; MedTech/Health IT; Solutions Provider - Innovative Tech; Solutions Provider – Services; Start-Up; Company Culture; and CEO of the Year. 

“Approaching three decades of celebrating the Pittsburgh region's top innovators, the Tech 50 Awards shine a powerful spotlight on the groundbreaking accomplishments of our winners and finalists,” said Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Tech Council. 

“These companies represent more than success stories; they embody Pittsburgh’s unique strength—a remarkable intersection of technologies, solutions, and services that are imapacting and shaping the world.”

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AI/ML/Robotics

Winner: Astrobotic

Astrobotic is at the forefront of advancing space exploration and technology development. The company's expertise spans from lunar rovers, landers, navigation, machine vision, and infrastructure to terrestrial rockets and mesh GPS systems for austere environments. The company has been contracted for two lunar missions,and has won more than 60 NASA, DoD, and commercial contracts worth more than $600 million. Astrobotic recently launched and operated the first American lunar lander mission since the Apollo Program. Established in 2007,  Astrobotic is headquartered in Pittsburgh, with a propulsion and test campus in Mojave, CA.

Finalists:

Advanced Construction Robotics: Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) provides the construction industry with innovative robotic solutions and technology that augments crews and enhances overall productivity. As a leader in construction robotics, ACR offers a suite of advanced tools designed to automate critical tasks, reduce scheduling risks, and improve job site safety. 

KEF Robotics: KEF Robotics provides state-of-the-art autonomy software to fly aircraft without a human pilot. A computer vision company at its core, KEF's mission is to improve the safety and reliability of aircraft and expand their range and utility.

Lovelace AI: Lovelace AI, a Pittsburgh-based technology start-up, is redefining national security technology with AI that turns kinetic data into actionable insights. Their technology empowers defense customers to make faster, smarter decisions by automating complex data analysis in real time.   

Near Earth Autonomy: Near Earth Autonomy's technology allows aircraft to autonomously take off, fly, and land safely, with or without GPS. The company's solutions enable aerial mobility applications for partners in the commercial and defense sectors.

Neya Systems: Neya Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Research Associates, is committed to advancing the field of unmanned systems through the development and integration of cutting-edge technologies and expertise in autonomy, computer vision, cybersecurity, and general unmanned systems development and deployment. 

Consumer

Winner: Eat'n Park Hospitality Group

This year marked a major milestone for Eat'n Park Hospitality Group - 75 years in business! What started in 1949 as a single carhop on Saw Mill Run Boulevard has grown to employ nearly 10,000 people across 14 states and a portfolio of regional foodservice concepts focused on personalized dining. They now serve more than 50 million guests every year in their restaurants (Eat'n Park, Hello Bistro, and The Porch); on college and corporate campuses via Parkhurst, their onsite dining division; and in every state through their online store, smileycookie.com.

Finalists:

Brunner: Brunner is an independent integrated marking communications agency based in Pittsburgh. They blend creative solutions with data-driven insights to simplify the complexities of marketing. 

Wolfe: Helping shape the gift card industry for over 25 years, Wolfe was founded by gift card pioneer, Jason Wolfe, on the belief that fast, meaningful, and personalized gifting can transform the way we connect with each other. 

Cybersecurity

Winner: ACA Group

ACA Group (ACA) is the leading governance, risk, and compliance advisor in financial services. For over 20 years, they’ve empowered clients to launch, grow, and protect their business. ACA’s global team of 1,250 employees serves over 6,400 clients and includes former regulators and practitioners with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Their innovative approach integrates advisory, managed services, distribution solutions, and analytics with their ComplianceAlpha® technology platform.

Finalists:

Certes: Headquartered in Pittsburgh with a global presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pac, Certes has been delivering data protection solutions to enterprises and governments globally for over 20 years.  

Echelon Risk + Cyber: Echelon Risk + Cyber is a cybersecurity professional services firm built on the belief that privacy and security are basic human rights. Echelon’s comprehensive suite of services is customized and right sized for each client, helping to solve even the most complex cybersecurity issues. 

Seiso: Seiso specializes in cybersecurity services for growing companies that need to quickly achieve audit compliance and maintain continuous security protection with small teams. They design simple, elegant solutions to complex cybersecurity problems across a customer's entire infrastructure and value chain.

Education Community

Winner: Carnegie Science Center

Carnegie Science Center inspires and entertains by connecting science and technology with everyday life. In addition to providing valuable scientific experiences, Carnegie Science Center engages in outreach programs that serve Pittsburgh’s diverse community.

Finalists:

412 Food Rescue: Driven by the belief that good food belongs to people, not landfills, 412 Food Rescue launched in Pittsburgh in March 2015 to divert fresh food from going to waste by redirecting it to people facing food insecurity. Today, it is the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the country.

CodeJoy: CodeJoy is a Pittsburgh-based educational media company transforming the genre with live, interactive learning. Founded in 2019, this innovative venture has evolved from a garage start-up to a team of five, serving over 60,000 students and teachers across 20+ states.

Troutwood: Troutwood empowers individuals and the institutions who care about them, with conflict-free financial planning tools.

WisdomK12: WisdomK12 is an AI-powered educational platform transforming K-12 learning by providing personalized, real-time feedback and adaptive learning experiences. 

Manufacturing – The Kurt J. Lesker III Award for Excellence

Winner: ARM Institute

The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is the nation's leading robotics and AI Manufacturing Innovation Institute. They lead the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products.

Finalists:

Humotech: Humotech provides a wearable robotic emulation platform to accelerate innovation in prosthetics, exoskeletons, and more by supporting researchers and developers with the tools they need to design, test, and evaluate products and concepts more quickly and effectively.

Rewyndr: Rewyndr is a B2B image-based interactive SaaS application helping industrials "Digitize the Doing" for capturing and redistributing knowledge in their operations. Rewyndr empowers frontline workers, regardless of ability, to safely succeed with any equipment or process with increased productivity. 

Titan Robotics: Titan Robotics is a full-service robotics company specializing in highly autonomous systems that adapt to process workpiece variability. Titan can automate the most complex and variable processes with advanced sensing and controls. 

Vollmer America: Vollmer America is a trusted partner in the manufacturing/metals industry, providing precision measurement and control technology solutions for processing line equipment and rolling mills

MedTech/Health IT

Winner: enGen

enGen’s dynamic ecosystem of smart automation and technology supports and streamlines complex operations for health plans and their provider partners. Founded in 2014 as HM Health Solutions, enGen is a wholly owned healthtech subsidiary of Highmark Health. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, enGen has more than 12,000 employees and works with health care plans serving more than 11 million members nationwide. enGen has built a complete healthtech platform that helps plans and their members operate at their highest levels, but they also offer our products as stand- alone solutions to meet both payer and provider needs.

Finalists:

Behaivior: Behaivior is an award-winning digital health company committed to making mental health and substance use recovery support equitable and accessible for all. 

CytoAgents: CytoAgents is developing CTO1681, a novel therapy for the treatment of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a dangerous and potentially life-threatening overreaction of the immune system, commonly known as Cytokine Storm. 

eHealth Technologies: eHealth Technologies is a leading healthcare technology company that decreases time to treatment by quickly delivering requested and actionable medical histories to clinicians. Their patented technology with embedded AI quickly collects and clinically organizes patient data so that clinicians have exactly what they need to create the appropriate care plan.

Innovu: Innovu’s data warehouse and analytics platform empowers advisors and employers to leverage data to inform their healthcare decision making process. This enables clients to optimize human capital risk management, health benefit design, and procurement by providing transparency and fully integrated claims data, AI-driven analytics, and health information insights combined with their SAAS platform and comprehensive menu of targeted solutions.

Rimsys: Rimsys is improving global health by accelerating delivery and increasing availability of life-changing medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices. Rimsys' Regulatory Information Management (RIM) software helps regulatory affairs teams plan more effectively, execute more quickly, and confidently ensure global regulatory compliance. 

TeleTracking Technologies: TeleTracking is an integrated healthcare operations platform that is expanding the capacity to care by increasing referrals, reducing system leakage, improving patient flow across the continuum, and enhancing strategic planning through advanced data analytics.

Solutions Provider - Innovative Tech

Winner: Pittsburgh International Airport

Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), which owns and operates Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to inspiring the industry and redefining an airport’s role in aviation. Through their ambitious Terminal Modernization Program, commitment to clean energy, workforce and economic development projects, and on-site technology development, ACAA is transforming Pittsburgh’s airports and positioning the Western PA region as a world leader. In 2024, Fast Company magazine named PIT to its list of the most innovative transportation companies in the world—an honor given to organizations reshaping industries and standing out amongst their peers as innovators.

Finalists:

CNX: CNX Resources Corporation is a premier, ultra-low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream, and technology company centered in Appalachia, one of the most energy abundant regions in the world. With the benefit of a 160-year regional legacy, substantial asset base—leading core operational competencies, technology development and innovation, and astute capital allocation methodologies—they responsibly develop resources and deploy free cash flow to create long-term per share value for shareholders, employees, and the communities where they operate.

Optimus Technologies: Optimus Technologies decarbonizes heavy-duty trucking by unlocking the power of the diesel engine to run on 100% biodiesel, reducing carbon emissions by over 90%.

Resilient Cognitive Solutions: Resilient Cognitive Solutions (RCS) designs and delivers REVOLUTIONARY Decision Support Systems that dramatically improve decision making in business-critical and mission-critical situations.

SmithMicro: Smith Micro Software has been a leader in enterprise and consumer software for over 40 years. Their industry leading SafePath Digital Family Lifestyle™ platform ensures family safety with location services, parental controls, drive monitoring, and home network safety solutions. 

WATT Fuel Cell: WATT Fuel Cell is a manufacturer and developer of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stacks and systems that operate on common, readily available fuels such as propane and natural gas. WATT’s proprietary, patented additive manufacturing process (AMP) has allowed it to produce commercially viable SOFC products for small-scale and remote power applications. 

Solutions Provider – Services

Winner: Marinus Analytics 

Established in 2014, Pittsburgh-based Marinus Analytics is an internationally recognized leader in innovating technology in service to society, currently working with clients across three continents. Marinus Analytics has received funding from the National Science Foundation and won third place in the 2021 global IBM Watson AI XPRIZE. Their flagship software aids public safety agencies in online human trafficking investigations by data mining adult services websites. The platform saves precious time, accelerates missing persons cases, identifies organized crime networks, and is complemented by robust user training and support.

Finalists:

Data Ideology: Data Ideology is a Pittsburgh-based and woman-owned data, analytics, and AI consulting firm. Established in 2017 with a team dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and transforming large organizations into data-driven enterprises, Data Ideology serves some of the region's largest enterprises and they have quickly become one of the fastest-growing consulting companies in the area.

Ford Office Technologies: Ford Office Technologies empowers businesses to thrive through cutting-edge office technology and unparalleled customer service. With over 30 years' experience, they offer tailored IT solutions, managed services, and top-tier equipment to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. 

HIKE2: HIKE2 is the premiere Cloud Solutions Advisory firm for regulated industries. With deep expertise in legal, financial services, insurance, business service providers, high-tech SaaS companies, and other highly regulated industries, HIKE2 solves their clients’ complex and evolving challenges with cutting-edge cloud solutions, AI initiatives, data and analytics programs, and industry-leading advisory services.

Mountain Leverage: Mountain Leverage elevates experiences for warehouse workers, end customers, and leaders in the supply chain. Their Hands-Free, Eyes-Free™ voice solutions improve workplace safety, create happier employees and customers, and provide peace of mind to distributors, manufacturers, and logistics firms who need agility and efficiency amid ever-changing industry demands.

RedTree Web Design: RedTree is a digital marketing agency that builds and optimizes websites, balancing creativity with functionality. They create solutions that seamlessly achieve the objectives of both brands and users. 

solutions4networks: solutions4networks is an IT integration and consulting company that provides collaboration, cybersecurity, data center, wireless as well as cloud and modern workplace assessments, architecture development, and strategic planning and implementation professional services to Fortune 500 corporations as well as mid- size businesses.

Truefit: Truefit works with business leaders who need to bring new and next-gen software products to market, accelerate their product roadmap, or modernize an existing product. Truefit product development teams create impactful software that streamlines operations, automates with AI, enhances control of hardware devices, increases revenues, improves robot UX, and grows marketplaces.

Turner Construction Company: Turner is a North America-based, international construction services company and is a leading builder in diverse market segments. They have earned recognition for undertaking large and complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees, and community.

Startup

Winner: H Quest Vanguard

H Quest decarbonizes natural gas at the point of use: carbon is extracted as a valuable solid product liberating a stream of clean hydrogen fuel. They pioneered a methane pyrolysis process powered by microwave plasma that thermally cracks natural gas into clean hydrogen and valuable carbon materials with zero emissions. The technology enables a modular, scalable system that can be deployed directly at customer premises. With 4x lower energy requirement of water electrolysis, H Quest’s process is poised to provide lowest-price clean hydrogen wherever natural gas is available, while eliminating the costs and hazards of hydrogen delivery.

Finalists:

Custos IQ: Custos IQ is a cybersecurity firm specializing in offensive security, advanced LLM security tools, OT and SCADA protection, and robust identity security. Since 1997, Custos IQ's founder has worked with global broadcasters, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturers, bringing cutting-edge cyber solutions to protect critical infrastructure. 

Ecotone Renewables: Ecotone Renewables is on a mission to revolutionize food waste management and sustainability. The company is dedicated to creating innovative, community-based solutions that turn food waste into renewable resources, such as fertilizer and energy, using advanced anaerobic digestion technology.

TruSummit Solutions: Founded in 2020, TruSummit Solutions is an innovative consultancy firm and certified Salesforce implementation partner. Through their hands-on approach and open communication, they empower customers to move confidently through ambiguity and risk to co-create and execute a Salesforce platform vision.

WorkVis.io: WorkVis.io is transforming workplace safety with video analytics and AI. Their mission is to increase workplace safety, productivity, and worker well-being while reducing the cost of compliance. WorkVis solutions spot potential hazards and alert workers and safety managers in real-time, increasing workplace safety and productivity while reducing monitoring cost, time, and effort.

Company Culture

Winner: 412 Food Rescue

Finalists:

• ACA Group
• Advanced Construction Robotics, Inc.
• ARM Institute
• Behaivior
• Brunner
• CNX
• CUSTOS IQ
• Data Ideology

CEO of the Year

Winner: Mick Malec, enGen

Mick Malec is the CEO, enGen and Enterprise Technology and Operations Officer, Highmark Health. Mick provides strategic oversight and operational leadership focusing on delivery and solutions for enGen’s customers and their members. Since joining enGen in 2018, Mick has lead with an unwavering focus on the customer. Creating a culture of transparency, accountability, and delivery, his passion to reduce complexity and create clear lines of accountability brought a fresh perspective to the company. He previously served as chief administrative officer of NASCO, a technology solution provider. Mick is a native of Detroit, MI, now resides in Pittsburgh with his wife.

Finalists:

Ellie Gordon, Behaivior: Ellie Gordon, Founder & CEO of Behaivior, is a behavioral technologist, designer, innovator, and entrepreneur. For over 17 years, her work has primarily focused on improving people’s lives through technology.

Teresa Whalen, CytoAgents: Teresa Whalen, RPh, has more than 20 years' experience in the healthcare industry as a biotech innovator, healthcare technology leader, hospital board trustee, life sciences investor, and clinical pharmacist.

Dylan Lew, Ecotone Renewables: Dylan Lew, CEO and co-founder of Ecotone Renewables, leads the company in pioneering sustainable waste management solutions. With a strong background in environmental science and entrepreneurship, Dylan has grown Ecotone from a start-up into a leader in modular biodigester technology.

Dan Torrens, eHealth Technologies: Dan Torrens is passionate about improving the patient experience and delivering industry-leading digital technology solutions. He brings over 25 years of leadership experience to the CEO role. 

Josh Caputo, Humotech: Josh Caputo leads efforts to transform the way the world develops and uses wearable machines. He strives to realize the promise of wearable technologies addressing mobility challenges for underserved and at-risk individuals.

Colin Huwyler, Optimus Technologies : Colin Huwyler founded Optimus Technologies in 2010. Guided by convictions that reducing carbon emissions and lessening domestic reliance on foreign oil were essential steps toward sustainability, Colin delved into the area of renewable fuels. 

Gene Natali, Troutwood: Before founding Troutwood, Gene Natali spent 17 years working with pension funds and institutional investors. He is an award-winning author of “The Missing Semester” series and has keynoted investment and education conferences nationwide, speaking in over 500 classrooms

Jordan Joltes, TruSummit Solutions: After more than a decade in Salesforce consulting, Jordan recognized the need for a more comprehensive CRM enablement approach and, in 2020, TruSummit Solutions was born. In the years since, Jordan has solidified TruSummit Solutions’ reputation as a leading Salesforce partner.