Scott Institute contributes to energy agenda at StartUP PGH

Sep 11, 2026

StartUP PGH (September 14-18, 2026) will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and regional leaders to celebrate and elevate Pittsburgh’s thriving ecosystem of innovation. Turning world-class academic research into scalable, real-world energy solutions is central to the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation’s mission. By fostering cleantech entrepreneurship, commercializing new technologies, and connecting founders with strategic partners, the Scott Institute plays a critical role in driving the region's energy future.

During StartUP PGH, CMU and the Scott Institute are hosting and participating in key energy-focused programming — highlighted by the official kickoff of the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Engine, a National Science Foundation-funded regional initiative advancing grid resilience, clean technology, and startup acceleration.

Join us September 14-18 in Pittsburgh to connect with researchers, founders, and investors shaping the next generation of energy innovation.

If you are an energy researcher, entrepreneur, or investor, you won’t want to miss the energy-related events at StartUP PGH, summarized below.

Energy-related StartUP PGH events: 

Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Engine kickoff 

  • Date and time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5 PM - 7 PM 
  • Location: Bosch Spark Conference Room, Scott Hall (5th Floor), CMU
  • Description: The NSF selected the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Engine for up to $160M in funding—boosted by another $161M+ from over 60 regional partners. Led by West Virginia University alongside Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, the RETI Engine is set to supercharge grid resilience, power energy efficiency, and launch next-gen clean-tech startups through dedicated fellowships, workshops, and cutting-edge testing facilities. Connect with top investors, founders, and researchers, and hear major announcements directly from RETI leadership about how we’re launching this game-changing engine.
  • Register for the event 

CMU Lab to Market

  • Date and time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 9 AM - 3:30 PM

  • Location: Simmons Auditorium B, CMU Tepper Quad

  • Description: CMU Lab to Market brings together Carnegie Mellon researchers, founders, investors, and industry leaders for an inside look at breakthrough technologies and emerging spinouts across AI, robotics, cybersecurity, energy, and healthcare. The event is designed to connect the people advancing emerging research with investors and industry leaders.
  • Energy Feature: 1:00–1:25 PM | Powering the Physical World: New Battery Materials and Architectures. This panel features a former director of the Scott Institute, two faculty affiliates, and three CMU energy startups. This panel will showcase the battery research and commercialization coming out of CMU. Power 3D received a recent Scott Institute Entrepreneurship Award. All three startups are members of the RETI Innovation/Startup Cluster Portfolio.
  • Register for the event

Innovation Works Venture Expo

  • Date and time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 10 AM - 5 PM
  • Location: The Oaklander Hotel
  • Description: Innovation Works’ Venture Expo is a two-day gathering of founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders driving the future of technology and innovation in Pittsburgh. Tuesday, September 15 will drive conversations around health and human impact developments. Venture Expo highlights founders building across several verticals, including environmental innovation and cleantech. 
  • Register for the event 

AI & Robotics Venture Day 2026

  • Date and time: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 4 PM - 6 PM 
  • Location: McConomy Auditorium, Cohon University Center, CMU Campus
  • Description: ​A showcase of CMU's most investment-ready startups building at the frontier of AI and Robotics. Presented in partnership between the CMU Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Works, the event brings together investors, founders, university leaders, and the regional startup community to spotlight high-potential companies building in AI, robotics, autonomy, and embodied intelligence. The event will feature a select group of startups, including VentureBridge companies, and is one of the flagship events of CMU Startup Week 2026 and StartUP PGH.
  • Energy feature: Over 10 CMU Energy startups will be featured in the DeepTech and CleantechHuman-Centered Solutions category.
  • Register for the event