AI Horizons Planning Committee Launches Inaugural Statewide AI Pitch Challenge

Pennsylvania innovators invited to compete for $50,000 prize in front of national investors and tech leaders; competition rewards ‘deployment ready AIs’

PITTSBURGH, PA (July 9) — In advance of the AI Horizons Summit on September 11–12, the AI Horizons Planning Committee has opened applications for the inaugural Forge AI Pitch—a first-of-its-kind statewide competition offering $50,000 in prize funding to Pennsylvania’s top deployment-ready AI and AI-adjacent startups. Eligible companies must have pilot programs or in-market products, defensible technology, and a clear path to growth. Finalists will be selected based on real-world traction, effective use of AI, differentiated tech (no clones), and strong business fundamentals.

“This isn’t a showcase of ideas—it’s a spotlight on real implementation,” said Joanna Doven, producer of the AI Horizons Summit and Executive Director of the AI Strike Team. “The Forge AI Pitch builds into AI Horizons 2025, which conveys Pittsburgh’s strengths as the epicenter of AI deployment. Pennsylvania innovators are transforming the industries that built this country—energy, manufacturing, defense, healthcare—by putting AI to work.”

The effort comes as Pittsburgh’s AI economy gains national attention. From 2020 to 2024, the region was a national leader in autonomy-related venture investment. And 2025 is on pace to break records: VC investment in Pittsburgh’s software startups has already doubled 2024’s total by May, with AI-related companies capturing 83% of the region’s $8.3 billion in VC deals—one of the highest concentrations in the nation, according to PitchBook.

“Pittsburgh has always led in breakthrough technologies,” said Lindsay Fairman, Partner at BlueTree Venture Capital and AI Horizons Planning Committee member. “Today, we’re doing it again—spearheading applied AI that’s reshaping industries. The companies in this pitch event are the ones driving this next wave of innovation.”

The competition is made possible by support from Governor Shapiro’s Office of Transformation & Opportunity, the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

The Forge AI Pitch will take place on September 10 at Bakery Square’s outdoor plaza, kicking off a week of global AI-focused activity. Six finalists will present in front of national investors, tech leaders, and media—demonstrating how Pennsylvania startups are leading the way in real-world AI deployment.

To learn more or apply, visit aihorizonspgh.com

Media Contact:
Joanna Doven
Executive Director, AI Strike Team
joanna@aistriketeam.com
(724) 420-0870