New Economy Collaborative
New Economy Collaborative is a nonprofit 11-county coalition in Southwestern Pennsylvania administering a $62.7M federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant to build a regional robotics and autonomy cluster through SME adoption, workforce upskilling, startup commercialization, and inclusive entrepreneurship programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What New Economy Collaborative does
New Economy Collaborative (NEC) is an 11-county nonprofit coalition in Southwestern Pennsylvania formed in 2022 to administer a $62.7 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The collaborative coordinates regional economic and workforce development focused on building a robotics and autonomy cluster, and is governed by a board co-chaired by Farnam Jahanian (President, Carnegie Mellon University) and Stefani Pashman (CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development). Its membership spans 90+ organizations including community-based organizations, labor unions (United Steelworkers), educational institutions, economic development partners, and private, public, and philanthropic sector leaders, with the Allegheny Conference serving as fiscal agent.
NEC's portfolio consists of five interconnected projects delivered through lead implementing organizations: (1) SME Robotics & AI Expansion via Catalyst Connection; (2) the Robotics & AI Manufacturing Hub via ARM Institute, including consultative visits, automation assessments, and proof-of-concept testing at the Mill19 lab; (3) Expanded Pathways to New Economy Careers via Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for regional workforce upskilling; (4) the Robotics & AI Startup Factory via Innovation Works, operating Create, Accelerate, and Scale programs; and (5) Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship via InnovatePGH, comprising the TMACE technical assistance program and the 9-month Pathways Fellowship at the CMU Robotics Institute for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs. Reported 2024 impact includes 219 small businesses served (41% minority-owned, 34% women-owned) and 385+ hours of technical assistance, with targets of 750+ companies and 14,500 workers contributing to a projected $575M regional GDP impact.
NEC is a grant-funded nonprofit, not a commercial entity. Its revenue model is a single $62.7M federal grant distributed across the five lead organizations, with no product pricing, subscription revenue, or service fees. Programs are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries across SMEs, robotics startups, workers/job seekers, and BIPOC and women entrepreneurs in the 11-county region.
New Economy Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Economy Collaborative
- Legal name
- New Economy Collaborative
- Website
- https://neweconomycollab.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- New Economy Collaborative is a nonprofit 11-county coalition in Southwestern Pennsylvania administering a $62.7M federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant to build a regional robotics and autonomy cluster through SME adoption, workforce upskilling, startup commercialization, and inclusive entrepreneurship programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Economy Collaborative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Economic Development
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Employer-Led Workforce Partnerships & Sector Strategies (EDAAAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)
Keywords
Where New Economy Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
New Economy Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Build Back Better Regional Challenge Grant: Federal grant funding of $62.7 million awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan program to build the region's robotics and autonomy cluster. The grant funds five transformational projects focused on adoption, upskilling, infrastructure, and commercialization. This is a public grant program, not commercial revenue generation.
- Federal Grant Distribution: NEC distributes grant funds to lead organizations and subrecipients across five projects: Project 1 ($4.8M to Catalyst Connection), Project 2 ($14.2M to ARM Institute), Project 3 ($24.8M to Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission), Project 4 ($12M to Innovation Works), and Project 5 ($6.9M to InnovatePGH).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
New Economy Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
New Economy Collaborative (NEC) coordinates regional economic and workforce development across 11 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania through five grant-funded programs targeting robotics adoption, workforce upskilling, startup commercialization, and entrepreneurship support. The collaborative administers a $62.7M Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant distributed through five lead organizations (Catalyst Connection, ARM Institute, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Innovation Works, and InnovatePGH), delivering services such as automation assessments, training programs, startup accelerators, and fellowships at no cost to beneficiaries.
Product overview
The New Economy Collaborative is an 11-county coalition focused on building a robotics and autonomy cluster in Southwestern Pennsylvania through a $62.7 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant. The portfolio consists of five interconnected programs: (1) Robotics & AI Expansion for Small & Medium Enterprises, led by Catalyst Connection, focused on SME adoption; (2) Robotics & AI Manufacturing Hub, led by ARM Institute, providing automation assessments and six regional Innovation Accelerators; (3) Expanded Pathways to New Economy Careers, led by Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, for workforce upskilling; (4) Robotics & AI Startup Factory, led by Innovation Works, offering Create/Accelerate/Scale programs for commercialization; and (5) Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship, led by InnovatePGH, supporting diverse entrepreneurs through TMACE and Pathways Fellowship. The collaborative represents 90+ organizations including community groups, educational institutions, unions, and private sector partners working together to transform the region through robotics and autonomy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Robotics & AI Expansion for Small & Medium Enterprises (Project 1) Adoption-focused initiative led by Catalyst Connection that helps small and medium-sized enterprises in Southwestern Pennsylvania adopt robotics and AI technologies through partnerships with academic institutions, industry leaders, and technology hubs.
- Robotics & AI Manufacturing Hub (Project 2) Manufacturing hub led by the ARM Institute that strengthens manufacturing through consultative visits, automation assessments, and proofs-of-concept, alongside six regional Innovation Accelerators including makerspaces and entrepreneurial labs.
- Expanded Pathways to New Economy Careers (Project 3) Upskilling initiative led by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission focused on establishing a coordinated regional training system serving robotics technology developers and adopters, offering various training options outside traditional four-year and advanced degrees.
- Robotics & AI Startup Factory / The Robotics Factory (Project 4) Commercialization program run by Innovation Works that boosts robotics innovation through three programs: Create (organizes summits connecting startups with industry leaders), Accelerate (supports early-stage companies through mentorship and funding), and Scale (provides resources for growth-stage companies including prototyping and manufacturing partnerships).
- Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship (Project 5) Entrepreneurship support program led by InnovatePGH that includes TMACE (Training and Market Access for Entrepreneurs) providing technical assistance to BIPOC, women-owned, veteran-owned, and rural small businesses, and the Pathways Fellowship offering a 9-month program at the Robotics Institute for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs.
Companies that use New Economy Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
New Economy Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
New Economy Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Catalyst ConnectioncoreLead organization for Project 1: Small & Medium Enterprises Robotics Adoption ($4.8M). Provides robotics expansion support to SMEs in the region, achieving milestones in advanced manufacturing, digital automation, and workforce development through partnerships with academic institutions, industry leaders, and technology hubs.
- Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM Institute)coreLead organization for Project 2: Robotics Manufacturing Hub ($14.2M). Operates the RMH providing consultative visits, automation assessments, and proofs-of-concept. Houses testing facilities at Mill19 lab with PushCorp equipment.
- Southwestern Pennsylvania CommissioncoreLead organization for Project 3: Expanded Pathways to New Economy Careers ($24.8M). Focuses on establishing a highly coordinated regional upskilling system serving robotics technology developers and adopters.
- Innovation WorkscoreLead organization for Project 4: Robotics Startup Factory ($12M). Runs The Robotics Factory with Create, Accelerate, and Scale programs supporting robotics innovation from concept to scale.
- InnovatePGHcoreLead organization for Project 5: Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship ($6.9M). Provides 9-month Pathways Fellowship at the Robotics Institute for BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, and operates TMACE technical assistance program.
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitycoreBoard of Director organization and key educational partner. Co-chaired by President Farnam Jahanian. Provides world-class research and development, hosts Pathways Fellowship program at the Robotics Institute.
- Allegheny Conference on Community DevelopmentcoreBoard of Director organization led by CEO Stefani Pashman (Board co-chair). Serves as fiscal agent with contact email [email protected] and phone (412) 281-1890.
- Regional Industrial Development CorporationmajorBoard member and Project 2 subrecipient. Supports regional economic development and manufacturing initiatives.
- Pittsburgh Robotics NetworkmajorProject subrecipient and ecosystem partner. Organizations poised to advance regional equity through proven models in the robotics cluster.
- Community College of Allegheny CountymajorProject 2 subrecipient. Provides workforce training and educational resources for upskilling in robotics and advanced manufacturing.
- United SteelworkerscoreBoard member representing labor unions. Ensures workforce perspectives and labor interests are integrated into regional economic development strategy.
- Riverside Center for InnovationmajorBoard member and Project 5 subrecipient. Supports entrepreneurial development in the region.
- Women in Tech PGHmajorProject 5 subrecipient. Focused on supporting women entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh's technology ecosystem.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
New Economy Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brookings Metro: National policy research organization focused on metropolitan economic competitiveness and inclusive growth. Comparable as a thought leader in regional economic development strategy that informs how coalitions like NEC position their cluster-development approach.
- EDA Regional Technology Hubs Program: U.S. Economic Development Administration's flagship regional technology cluster designation program that succeeded and overlaps with the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Comparable as the federal programmatic framework under which NEC operates and could seek successor designation.
Emerging players
- Heartland Robotics Cluster: One of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge awardees focused on robotics and automation in a different U.S. region. Comparable as a federally-funded regional robotics cluster with similar adoption, workforce, and commercialization goals, providing a useful peer benchmark for cluster strategy.
Direct peers
- InnovatePGH: Pittsburgh-based innovation hub and lead organization for NEC's Project 5 (Pathways Fellowship and TMACE, $6.9M). Comparable as a regional innovation and entrepreneurship support organization with overlap in serving underrepresented founders and tech-entrepreneurship programming.
- Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based startup accelerator and lead organization for NEC's Project 4 (Robotics Startup Factory, $12M). Directly comparable as a regional technology startup accelerator with overlap in robotics commercialization and early-stage company support.
- Catalyst Connection: Southwestern Pennsylvania-based manufacturing consulting nonprofit and lead organization for NEC's Project 1 (SME Robotics Adoption, $4.8M). Directly comparable as a regional manufacturing adoption and technical assistance provider serving small and medium manufacturers.
- Pittsburgh Robotics Network: Regional robotics ecosystem organization based in Pittsburgh, focused on connecting and growing the local robotics cluster. Directly comparable to NEC as a Pittsburgh-based robotics cluster convener with overlapping member organizations and a shared mission to advance Southwestern Pennsylvania's robotics leadership.
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission: Regional planning and economic development agency for the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania region; lead organization for NEC's Project 3 ($24.8M workforce upskilling). Directly comparable as a regional development organization operating workforce and economic programs in the same geography.
- Allegheny Conference on Community Development: Regional economic development organization serving the Pittsburgh region; serves as NEC's fiscal agent and is co-chaired by its CEO Stefani Pashman. Directly comparable as a Southwestern Pennsylvania economic development convener with similar scope and stakeholder base.
- Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM Institute): Federally-funded Manufacturing Innovation Institute focused on advancing robotics in U.S. manufacturing. A lead NEC partner operating the Robotics Manufacturing Hub (Project 2, $14.2M), with directly comparable scope in robotics adoption, workforce development, and SME engagement.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
New Economy Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceNew Economy Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Economy Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
New Economy Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Economy Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Economy Collaborative
What does New Economy Collaborative do?
New Economy Collaborative (NEC) coordinates regional economic and workforce development across 11 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania through five grant-funded programs targeting robotics adoption, workforce upskilling, startup commercialization, and entrepreneurship support. The collaborative administers a $62.7M Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant distributed through five lead organizations (Catalyst Connection, ARM Institute, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Innovation Works, and InnovatePGH), delivering services such as automation assessments, training programs, startup accelerators, and fellowships at no cost to beneficiaries.
Is New Economy Collaborative a public or private company?
New Economy Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was New Economy Collaborative founded?
New Economy Collaborative was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is New Economy Collaborative based?
New Economy Collaborative is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does New Economy Collaborative make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Build Back Better Regional Challenge Grant is the primary driver. The others are federal Grant Distribution.
Who are New Economy Collaborative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brookings Metro and EDA Regional Technology Hubs Program. Heartland Robotics Cluster is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are InnovatePGH, Innovation Works, Catalyst Connection, Pittsburgh Robotics Network, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM Institute).
Does New Economy Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Economy Collaborative.
What industry is New Economy Collaborative in?
New Economy Collaborative's product category is Regional Economic Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAB, Employer-Led Workforce Partnerships & Sector Strategies, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAE, Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.