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Showcase highlights Campus and Community projects, start-ups and research that are in consort with Olympus' goals. Below we also link to videos of StartUp City (Pittsburgh) interviews conducted by InformationWeek.

If you would like us to include your project here, please email us the appropriate information and logo.

Carnegie Speech
Project GATTACA
AlphaLab
Brand
TiETiE
Carnegie Speech
Gattaca
Lane Center
AlphaLab
Branding
Brand
TiE
Pittsburgh
College Prowler
Sim Ops Studios
Steel Town Entertainment
College Prowler
Help Startups
Imagine Pittsburgh
Impact Games
Sim Ops
Steel Town

Carnegie Mellon Community


Carnegie Speech is the premier developer and provider of software for assessing and teaching spoken language skills. Using our patent-pending speech recognition and pinpointing technology, our products pinpoint exactly where the error is being made in the sounds, grammar, rhythm, pitch or fluency of the spoken language and offer immediate feedback. By customizing the curriculum for each individual, we maximize training effectiveness and minimize training time. Carnegie Speech’s software is installed in 12 countries around the world and services markets such as Business Process Outsourcing, Publishing, Aviation, Education, Government, etc. Our initial products teach and assess spoken English and Iraqi Arabic, although the technology can be extended to any teach language. The Company was founded in 2001 with technology licensed from the Language Technologies Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

Angela Kennedy - President and CEO
Jaime Carbonell - Chairman and Co-Founder
Maxine Eskenazi - Vice President, CTO, and Co-Founder
Click here to see the Carnegie Speech Team


Project GATTACAProject GATTACA

In the 1990s, it took $10 billion and 10 years to sequence the human genome. A few years later, it took only $50 million and a fraction of the time to sequence the comparable-size chimpanzee genome. In 2007, a similar-sized project cost $1 million and lasted less than a year. NIH has recently set a goal of $1,000 per human genome. As affordable, routine genome sequencing is quickly becoming a reality, the amount of sequenced DNA will continue to grow exponentially for at least another decade or two. Existing tools for modeling bio-sequences were not designed for the 1010 nucleotides/Amino Acids currently available, nor the 1012 -1015 nts/AAs anticipated in the foreseeable future.. The development of new algorithms, visualization tools, and predictive models will change not only medical practice, via personalized diagnostics and treatment, but also the nature and pace of biomedical investigation, drug discovery, and public health decision making.

This is what Project GATTACA sets out to do. We focus on RNA viruses and other fast evolving pathogens. We build large scale computational models of important viral proteins (like HIV's $env and RT, or Influenza's hemagglutinin and neuraminidase). We then develop algorithms to infer molecular correlates of important viral properties such as drug-resistance, pathogenicity, antigenicity, immunogenicity, virulence, infectivity, neutralizability, etc. Our algorithms make concrete predictions that can be verified experimentally. We also build models of viral molecular evolution, attempting to anticipate the future behavior and properties of viruses and other pathogens. In parallel, we design and build visualization tools to support interactive exploration of very large biosequence alignments.

Roni Rosenfeld - Professor, School of Computer Science (LTI, MLD, CSD ), Carnegie Mellon
Andy Walsh - Postdoctoral Fellow, Language Technologies Institute, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Chuang Wu - PhD student, Program in Computational Biology


Ray and Stephanie Lane Center for Computational Biology Ray and Stephanie Lane Center for Computational Biology

The Lane Center will build on the strong history of computational and interdisciplinary research at Carnegie Mellon. It will seek to realize the potential of machine learning for expanding our understanding of complex biological systems by developing tools to enable automated creation of detailed, predictive models. We believe that these efforts will not only lead to deep biological knowledge but also to tools for individualized diagnosis and treatment of disease. One of the Center’s key missions will be advancing the development of computational methods to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. It will be directed by Robert F. Murphy, Ray and Stephanie Lane Professor of Computational Biology and Professor of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering and Machine Learning.

Pittsburgh Community


AlphaLab is a catalyst for launching the next generation of software, web, mobile and entertainment technology companies. Created by Innovation Works, one of the nation’s most active seed-stage investors, AlphaLab helps companies rapidly develop their technology, gain user feedback from early product releases, develop go-to-market strategies, and move toward successful commercial launch.  AlphaLab provides the essential elements for startup companies to get off the ground successfully: funding, business assistance, advisors, space, and a supportive entrepreneurial community. By combining these ingredients in an intensive program, AlphaLab provides companies a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth and development. AlphaLab selects up to six companies twice a year.

It’s that time of year!  We are excited to announce that AlphaLab is now accepting applications for its Winter/Spring 2010 cycle!

AlphaLab is a catalyst for launching the next generation of software, web, mobile, and entertainment technology companies.  Created by Innovation Works, one of the nation’s most active seed-stage investors, AlphaLab provides funding, free office space, expert business advisors and services during its biannual program in Pittsburgh.  AlphaLab helps companies rapidly develop their technology, gain user feedback from early product releases, develop go-to-market strategies, and move towards a successful commercial launch.

For more information and to access the application, visit: www.alphalab.org.  The application deadline is October 20th and the program begins on January 5th.   You can also learn more about Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial scene and AlphaLab’s role within it in the following blog entry from Center Networks: http://www.centernetworks.com/why-i-love-pittsburgh-startups. 

If you would like to learn more about the program, you can attend the next Open Coffee Club meeting at AlphaLab (2325 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh’s South Side) on October 1st starting at 9 am.  AlphaLab team members will be at the Open Coffee Club meeting to answer any questions you may have about the program and to help you determine whether your business idea is a good fit for the program.  You can also meet others who are interested in the program and a few of the current AlphaLab teams.



What do you do after your business goes from being an idea to a multi-million dollar company with tons of awards and media coverage? You do it all over again, only now for other companies.

That is what the founders of Branding Brand decided to do right here in Pittsburgh. Branding Brand offers full-service branding, public relations, and online marketing for companies looking to become the authority in their industry. All prospective clients must meet Branding Brand's rigorous criteria prior to consideration for services.

Branding Brand was started in July 2007, along with its popular Branding Blog (http://www.brandingbrand.com/blog/). Within its first six months of operation, the firm had already received recognition from the press, as well as the Public Relations Society of America, for its creative branding and new media strategies.

Christina Koshzow Co-Founder
Chris Mason Co-Founder
Joey Rahimi Co-Founder


Started in 2002, College Prowler publishes guidebooks and a website which review the offerings at 249 colleges and universities. College Prowler content is unique among college guidebooks because it is based entirely on student-written quotes and reviews of individual colleges by students who actually attend the schools. Each college guidebook covers a wide range of topics such as academics, campus housing, nightlife, safety and security, guys and girls, and diversity. The College Prowler website combines the contents of all 233 guidebooks. The books are available at major retail bookstores nationwide, at university bookstores and through online booksellers. The website is available free for registered users or through a premium subscription with in-depth features, services and exclusive content.

Luke Skurman - CEO and Founder -


Help Startups is focused on providing assistance to entrepreneurs. The primary vehicle for this is the entrepreneurs' web portal, Helpstartups.com. Through its meetings, Help Startups provides a venue for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas with their peers and meet with leaders of the entrepreneurial community. Help Startups also works to foster collaboration between entrepreneurial support organizations to maximize the effectiveness of their programs.

Gary Rosensteel - CEO and Founder -


Imagine thriving in a place that's inspired some of the world's greatest inventors. Imagine living in a city that boasts internationally acclaimed arts, champion sports teams, eclectic neighborhoods, and affordable housing. Imagine working with the brightest minds to discover a cure for cancer, or a new life-enhancing technology. Imagine kayaking, hiking, biking, in-line skating, or fly-fishing -- just minutes from your home. Imagine making a difference in a region that has a history of changing the world. Everyday, people and businesses in the Pittsburgh region enjoy an environment that's rich in opportunity, inspiration, and entrepreneurial spirit. Here innovation is a way of life. The talent is world-class. Start-ups and Fortune 500s thrive. And everyone from successful CEOs to young hot shots to growing families contributes to the energy -- and the appeal. Spectacular opportunities abound here. Pittsburgh 250: Imagine Pittsburgh

ImpactGames is best known for PeaceMaker, the award-winning simulation game of the Middle East conflict. The founders came out of Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center. ImpactGames is getting good traction and attention for its first product, and is working now on expanding its business strategy to encompass a model of interactive participation in news events. The company currently is in talks with some of the major news sources about creating portals that would allow viewers to "Play the News".

A recent NPR interview presents highlights ImpactGames' work and the concept of "interactive news."

Eric Brown - Co-Founder and CEO -
Asi Burak - Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer


Sim Ops Studios, a spin-off company from Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center, is creating the next generation of shared virtual experiences on the web. Pushing the boundaries of interactive media, Sim Ops aims to create an $environment where "experiencing" on the web is as frequent as reading and watching are today. With Sim Ops technology you will be able recreate and step into real world events, tell stories, plan, design, learn and play.

Sim Ops Studios was recently invited to showcase their technology at Wired Magazine's NextFest and in the Demo Pit at TechCrunch40. Sim Ops was named a 2007 Rising Star Finalist by the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Tech 50 awards.

Shanna Tellerman - President and CEO -


The mission of the Steeltown Entertainment Project is to nurture promising talent and to incubate meaningful and commercially viable entertainment projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania by connecting former Pittsburghers who are working in the entertainment industry with the region's human, cultural, educational and economic resources.

In its short history since its inception in 2003, Steeltown has
  • produced with WQED the Mid-Atlantic Emmy-nominated "Steeltown Entertainment Summit" featuring a dozen of Pittsburgh's most illustrious film and television alumni such as director Rob Marshall (CHICAGO), producer Bernie Goldmann (300), and manager Eric Gold (Jim Carrey);
  • presented the Pittsburgh premiere of George Romero's "Land of the Dead" which attracted an international crowd including directors Quentin Tarintino (KILL BILL), Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY),and Edgar Wright (SHAUN OF THE DEAD), raising funds for its proposed Steeltown Film Factory which would mentor emerging regional talent; and
  • incubated two commercial projects, partnering with The Hatchery and Universal Studios on R.L. Stine's "Don't Think About It" airing on Cartoon Network 9/7/07 and "MY PITTSBURGH: A TALE OF TWO CITIES", a feature documentary about Pittsburgh reinventing itself. See www.thepittsburghmovie.com

Carl Kurlander - Executive Producer, Steeltown Entertainment Project -
Visiting Distinguished Senior Lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh
Stephanie Dangel - Steeltown Board Chair -
Jodi Klebick - Managing Director -


TiE

TiE Pittsburgh. The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a global not-for-profit network of entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship. TiE has 47 chapters in 11 countries. TiE-Pittsburgh is a regional chapter that covers Western Pennsylvania and portions of Eastern Ohio. See also TiE Friends.

The Mission of TiE-Pittsburgh is to:

  • Foster entrepreneurship through mentoring and education
  • Facilitate networking and exchange of ideas among members
  • To promote growth and prosperity of the region through business development and social entrepreneurship
Berni Bishop - Executive Director -


StartUp City (Pittsburgh) - YouTube Videos





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