Ahead of AI Horizons 2026 (more soon on that), we’re collaborating with Carnegie Mellon and the Pittsburgh Steelers to leverage a major national moment—the NFL Draft—to tell a bigger story:
Where AI actually gets built. And deployed.
Not theoretical. Not hype.
Real-world AI—physical AI—happening in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania.
And we’re using that moment to do something very intentional:
Recruit the next generation of AI companies here.
Which brings me to this—
If you’re building an AI company (or know someone who is), this is your window:
Wednesday, April 1 is the final deadline to apply for the Forge AI Pitch at CMU’s Robotics Innovation Center (RIC). Finalists will pitch in front of investors, sports celebrities and renowned entrepreneurs — (like Pittsburgh’s very own Mark Cuban).
– $1.5M+ prize pool
– Up to $1M in AWS compute
– Workspace inside the RIC
– Direct access to investors and operators
But more than that:
This is about place.
In collaboration with CMU's Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, we’re looking for founders who want to build, scale, and stay—and be part of what comes next here.
Apply here.
And if someone comes to mind—forward this to them.
Oh—and one more thing…
Did you hear that NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang is keynoting Carnegie Mellon University’s commencement this May?
That’s not random.
All eyes are on Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania right now. This is our moment to embrace.
What’s next: More soon on the momentum we’re building around Draft Week.
Over and out –
Joanna Doven
CEO, AI Strike Team
About the AI Strike Team
The AI Strike Team advances strategic initiatives and cross-sector partnerships that catalyze AI-driven investment, innovation, and adoption — positioning Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania for sustained growth and leadership in the New AI Economy.
