Three is not a crowd, it's actually an industry.
Three research-based artificial intelligence companies—Apangea Learning, Carnegie Learning and Quantum Simulations—have established a solid presence in Pittsburgh and have created an exciting niche for technology education. While each approaches the business differently, all three report strong growth, new products and hiring.
Several months months ago Carnegie Learning suggested to DCED’s Dennis Yablonsky that education software be established as a cluster business in Western PA. “Our point is there’s a lot going on here and we need to create a niche for economic benefits,” says Mary Murrin of Carnegie Learning. “Pittsburgh is a great place for interactive education companies.”
“There’s no question that Pittsburgh has become the ‘hub’ for artificial intelligence technology in the United States,” adds Benny Johnson, president and CEO at Quantum, a technology “think tank.”
Among the companies’ highlights:
Apangea, which combines software and on-demand tutors, announced a record-breaking first quarter for the 2008 fiscal year. The company recently signed a deal with an undisclosed state to provide tutoring to 42,000 students who hope to meet proficiency levels based onr No Child Left Behind. The company currently employs 57 and plans to add another 10 this year, a director of human resources and more sales staff, says Louis Piconi, CEO.
Carnegie Learning, on average, is growing at a pace of 30 percent a year. This week it will announce its first major sale in the post-secondary market, a large community college system in Tennessee. In addition, the company hosted educational leaders from Morocco and Singapore as a potential source of future business or partnership. CL expanded its Frick Building office space by 3,000 square feet this year. Several people have joined the staff, including a cognitive scientist from New Zealand, Murrin reports.
Quantum Simulation has added three new employees bringing the total to 10 full-time with 25 consultants. Commercial revenues in 2007 were nine times the 2005 revenue figures, says Johnson.
It’s no coincidence three of the most successful companies in the business are located here, adds Piconi, who gives credit to research coming out of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and the Education Technology Center.
“When you look at Pittsburgh as a whole, there’s a native cluster of companies that is not being talked about," Piconi adds. "This is something we have an opportunity to leverage, for Pittsburgh to be a leader.”
Writer: Debra Smit
Source: Louis Piconi and Brian Wallace, Apangea Learning; Mary Murrin, Carnegie Learning; Benny Johnson and Al Renshaw, Quantum Simulations
Image courtesy Carnegie Learning