The University of Pittsburgh Katz Business School Super Analytics Challenge is underway! Learn how Katz students are working with industry members like SAP and Accenture to solve food insecurity in the Pittsburgh region using big data sets and advanced analytics. Hear from Manpreet Saini of SAP; Albrect Powell of Accenture; and Chris Barlow of Katz Business School to get all of the details.

TechVibe Radio

TVR 2/13/22: Katz Business School Super Analytics Challenge

Nerd out with Accenture's Dan Guenther about all things extended reality (XR). From Alternative Reality to Virtual Reality, XR is promising massive changes in society from how we learn and shop to how we meet up and build new new business. Fresh off his presentation on the Metaverse at CES, Dan talks about how XR is making learning more immersive and impactful. New Accenture research and client experiences indicate that investing in XR technologies and modernizing learning and development now makes sense. Dan shares recommendations on how to approach an XR based immersive learning program. From how to get started, to how the XR investment can be used for other programs He will also detail how Accenture has developed an XR experience for new joiners, called One Accenture Park. Check out other XR use cases outside of Immersive Learning are on www.accenture.com/extendedreality. See Dan's CES presentation at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF84Ota1w7M.

One Mic Stand: Accenture's Dan Guenther Talks Extended Reality

Technology has continued to change drastically over the past decade. Access to faster internet speeds has spurred the development of new, sophisticated technology, and this has driven an increasing demand for more capacity. As a result, Comcast Business has witnessed some important industry trends that businesses should take note of in 2022 – and beyond. We talked to Comcast's Bob Maras about the top trends that he has been seeing, including: Demands for Flexible Workspaces Will Put Pressure on Businesses to Offer Network Support Network Management Tools Will Help Simplify Advances in Technology Networks That are “Future-Proofed” Will Better Handle Innovative Projects Redefining Connectivity through Digital Advancements 

One Mic Stand: Comcast's Bob Maras Top Tech Predictions

TechVibe Radio explores the delicious side of tech when it talks to Marcus Vahle of Valkyrie Donuts. Tech and donuts? Heck yes! Learn about these vegan donuts that get their square shape from 3-D printed donut cutters.  If donuts aren't enough, learn how the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM) is spinning up a new project to demonstrate how VR and similar technology can be used to provide incumbent manufacturing workers with the ability to earn credentials based upon the knowledge, skill and abilities (KSAs) gained through on-the-job training in a manufacturing facility incorporating robotics and automation.

TVR 2/6/22: ARM Institute and Valkyrie Donuts

Over the last 24 years, we've encountered countless men and women who have dreamt, scaled and sold successful tech companies in Pittsburgh. But it’s not every day that you get to know a man who invented the modern conference call, can “fix” an IBM supercomputer and get inducted into the Space Hall of Fame on top of that. The Pittsburgh Technology Council's Jonathan Kersting kicks off the PGH Tech 25 series with Dr. Giorgio Coraluppi, Founder of Compunetix, Compunetics and Chorus Call. Most people know him as Dr. C. What really impresses me most about Dr. C. was founding Compunetics way back in 1968 and growing it and its sibling companies to employ 650, 360 of them right here in the Pittsburgh region. Even better yet, Dr. C. came to Pittsburgh from Italy underscoring the importance of Pittsburgh to attract and retain talent from around the world. Even 60 years ago!

PGH Tech 25: Giorgio Coraluppi Founder of Compunetix

Troutwood is a financial technology company based in Pittsburgh. Founded out of Carnegie Mellon University’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, Troutwood designs and develops financial applications and educational tools built around a philosophy of Save First Planning. Troutwood strives to remove the fear typically associated with finance by simplifying complicated terms and providing our customers with conflict-free tools to better their lives. Learn more about Troutwood and its mission to help Gen Z plan a sound financial future from Founder Gene Natali. Prior to starting Troutwood, Gene spent 17-years working with large pension funds and institutional investors. He is an award-winning author (The Missing Semester) who has key-noted investment and education conferences across the country and spoken in over 500 high school and college classrooms. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Allegheny College, and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Carnegie Mellon University.

One Mic Stand: Gene Natali of Troutwood

Hear from one of Pittsburgh's newest startups looking to take personal health monitoring to new levels. Thomas Voigt and Swagatika Battacharya of LyfeBrdge will overview how their "simple" ring can measure numerous health indicators using an assortment of LEDs not found on competing devices. Plus, LyfeBrdge is looking to address the the B2B market to ensure worker safety in numerous environments.

One Mic Stand: LyfeBrdge

Ray Milhem is a Global Technology Executive with more than 30 + years of experience. Ray grows revenue and contains costs by leveraging his vast experience, scaling solutions, and integrating technology for startups, mid size and Fortune 500 companies in the technology and telecom sectors. His expertise includes strategic planning, engineering, product management, technology operations, P&L, M&A, and staff leadership in the US , Canada, Kuwait & Dubai (UAE). He has spoken and presented at many US & Global conferences. At Ray's company MILHEM, they understand that Digital Transformation is a process and a journey. The goal is to help your company improve their performance, productivity, achieve higher ROI and sustain the growth as you gradually execute on a Digital Transformation Strategy. Challenging change initiatives, like digital transformation, require high performance leadership, commitment and execution to truly be successful.  MILHEM not only provides technical and business guidance, it builds leadership across your organization to ensure effective implementation of your digital transformation.  MILHEM offers programs and coaching for executives, experienced leaders and emerging leaders.  Popular topics include emotional intelligence, trust, conflict resolution and team building.   

One Mic Stand: Ray Milhem Talks Digital Transformation

TechVibe Radio does a deep dive with Niche Founder and CEO Luke Skurman about his near 20-year journey growing this "startup" to more than 200 people. Niche is the market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families. With in-depth profiles on every school and college in America, over 140 million reviews and ratings, and powerful search and data tools, Niche helps millions of students and families find and enroll in the right school for them. For schools, school districts, and communities, Niche’s platform, data, and services help thousands of schools recruit and enroll more best-fit students.

TVR 1/30/22: Luke Skurman of Niche

Involta announced that it was acquired by Carlyle earlier this month. Involta President Jim Buie details what this means for the company and its presence in Pittsburgh. Spoiler alert: it's awesome news. Read the press release here: Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) announced that funds managed by Carlyle have agreed to acquire Involta, a data center company focused on hybrid IT and cloud infrastructure, including data center colocation, hybrid cloud, edge, fiber, and related products. Involta owns and operates 12 data center facilities and an in-house 12,000+ fiber-mile network. These assets, paired with strategic infrastructure services, provide mission-critical IT solutions to businesses across the United States. Carlyle’s capital, resources, and expertise will help expand Involta’s operations, which today are located primarily in the Midwest as well as the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern U.S., helping grow its capabilities for both new and existing customers. Joshua Pang, Head of Digital Infrastructure for Carlyle’s Infrastructure Group, said, "Involta has built a world-class platform with a demonstrated operating model for delivering high-quality service to customers in an increasingly complex, hybrid cloud-based world. We see significant opportunity for growth given the long-term secular demand drivers of data proliferation, digital connectivity, and the digitization of enterprise and institutional operating models. We look forward to a strong, long-term partnership and to leveraging Carlyle’s scale, resources, and access to capital to drive sustainable growth at Involta.” Pooja Goyal, Chief Investment Officer of Carlyle’s Infrastructure Group, said, “This investment is consistent with our strategy of partnering with best-in-class businesses positioned for continued growth in the digital infrastructure space. Digital infrastructure is a key sector focus for our platform and we will continue to grow our portfolio with both high growth opportunities as well as stabilized assets.” Bruce Lehrman, Founder and CEO of Involta, said, “We are thrilled to work with Carlyle’s proven investment team as we build on our national market leadership and support our customers’ growing digital infrastructure requirements. We see many logical opportunities to continue expanding Involta’s footprint and infrastructure, and look forward to leveraging Carlyle’s global resources and deep expertise to further accelerate our growth momentum.” This transaction supports Carlyle’s growth in infrastructure investing, which includes investments in infrastructure companies supporting the digital economy. Earlier this year, Carlyle acquired Wyyerd Group, a leading regional fiber-to-home platform in the Southwestern United States, and recently completed an add-on fiber acquisition for that platform in December 2021. Carlyle will acquire Involta from M/C Partners. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.

One Mic Stand: Involta's Jim Buie Details the Carlyle Acquisition

T-hauler reimagines moving services by creating an advanced, efficient and affordable system. The improvement of technology, smart phone and the high demand in truck rentals pushed T-hauler to reshape how truck rental and moving work. Learn how T-hauler is a technology services provider that enables users to request a moving truck, handy workers, and delivery services through a logistic platform using web-based technology. Private truck owners, moving companies and drivers interested in providing those services can sign up as independent contractors to make extra income and work on a flexible schedule. T-hauler's goal is to offer the best service at a reasonable price and make your moving experience as easy as possible. Visit https://t-hauler.com/ for more information.  

One Mic Stand: T-hauler

Learn how Highmark Health and Bosch are collaborating on bringing deep audio artificial intelligence being used on the International Space Station down here to Pittsburgh to diagnose pediatric pulmonary conditions like asthma. Listen to guests: Kelly J. Shields, PhD, Senior Research Data Scientist, Highmark Health; Joseph Aracri, DO, AHN pediatrician and Chair of its Pediatric Institute; Dr. Samarjit Das, leader of the Intelligent Internet of Things group at Bosch Research in Pittsburgh; and Chris Martin, director Engineering and R&D for Pittsburgh office for Bosch detail how SoundSee Microphones collect audio data of breathing patterns that are analyzed using artificial intelligence . Study with pediatric patients in Allegheny Health Network are set to begin in Q1 2022. The collaboration was announced at the CES 2022 convention in Las Vegas.

TVR 1/23/22: Exploring the Highmark Health/Bosch AI Collaboration

The latest episode of the Allegheny Health Network/Highmark Health Care Reinvented podcast series is literally out of this world! Learn how Highmark Health and Bosch are collaborating on bringing deep audio artificial intelligence being used on the International Space Station down here to Pittsburgh to diagnose pediatric pulmonary conditions like asthma. Listen to guests: Kelly J. Shields, PhD, Senior Research Data Scientist, Highmark Health; Joseph Aracri, DO, AHN pediatrician and Chair of its Pediatric Institute; Dr. Samarjit Das, leader of the Intelligent Internet of Things group at Bosch Research in Pittsburgh; and Chris Martin, director Engineering and R&D for Pittsburgh office for Bosch detail how SoundSee Microphones collect audio data of breathing patterns that are analyzed using artificial intelligence . Study with pediatric patients in Allegheny Health Network are set to begin in Q1 2022. The collaboration was announced at the CES 2022 convention in Las Vegas. Listen and discover how this new research collaboration builds upon a long-time practice in doctor-patient care.

Health Care Reinvented: Highmark Health and Bosch Bring AI Tech Down to Earth

Aspirant, a global management and technology consulting firm, announced the hiring of Cathy Goff as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Goff was most recently VP of HR at Valicor, where she led the successful integration of new employees as company locations doubled. In this role, Goff will focus on driving company recruiting to keep pace with growing market demand while further strengthening the company’s integrated expertise and enhancing interdepartmental support. This effort is aligned with Aspirant’s intention to maintain an exceptional experience for employees. The organization was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Best Place to Work for 2020 and 2021. As a new member of the growing executive suite, Goff reports to CEO Mike McClaine. “Aspirant has achieved unprecedented growth because of our commitment to client success. One way we’ll continue to achieve this is through investing in employee development,” says McClaine. “Cathy will guide this critical area. Her demonstrated HR leadership within the M&A and private equity space align perfectly with Aspirant’s entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment.” Goff is already making an impact. Leadership has announced new policies to increase paid time off, parental leave, additional time off for bereavement and jury duty, and incentives for employee and sales referrals. Hear from Cathy and learn more about her new role and get some top tips on building a better workplace.

One Mic Stand: Cathy Goff Joins Aspirant as Chief Human Resources Officer

Someone's gotta make the donuts. Why not make the best ones in Pittsburgh?  Learn how Marcus Vahle went from being one of the top experience marketing innovators in the country to helping grow Valkyrie Donuts in Bellvue. It all started in Florida, but is here to stay in Pittsburgh. Of course there is a tech twist to this story. Marcus will tell you how they developed custom 3D-printed square donut cutters to make these tasty vegan treats. Also learn how Valkyrie uses an assortment of tech platforms to get donuts into hungry customer hands.

One Mic Stand: Valkyrie Donuts

Podcasts from TechVibe Radio, now on KDKA 1020 AM every Wednesday at 7 PM. The Pittsburgh Technology Council's Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting interview Pittsburgh's most dynamic technology companies and entrepreneurs.

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