Innovation Works Scale Expo to Connect 150+ Founders with Pennsylvania Manufacturers in Pittsburgh

Innovation Works Scale Expo to Connect 150+ Founders with Pennsylvania Manufacturers in Pittsburgh

Innovation Works will bring hardware, robotics and medical technology startups together with more than 30 Pennsylvania manufacturers at Scale Expo 2026 on October 27 in Pittsburgh.

The free event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rockwell Park in Pittsburgh’s North Point Breeze neighborhood, with more than 150 founders expected to attend.

Scale Expo is designed to connect startups developing physical products with manufacturers capable of helping them move from prototypes into commercial production or scale an existing product line.

Rather than a traditional conference format, the event is centered around direct conversations between founders and manufacturing companies, giving startups an opportunity to compare production capabilities, discuss pricing and evaluate potential partners in a single day.

More Than 30 Manufacturers Under One Roof

Innovation Works says more than 30 regional manufacturers are expected to participate in this year’s Scale Expo.

Participating companies include Applus+ Keystone, Tronix3D, Kiski Precision Industries, EPD Electronics, Three Rivers Precision, Why Sew, National Rubber Corporation and JenRocket.

The manufacturers represent a range of production capabilities relevant to hardware, robotics, medical technology and other physical-product startups.

For founders, the event provides an opportunity to meet potential production partners without having to individually identify and contact manufacturers across the region.

Founder registration is free, while Pennsylvania manufacturers can also apply to exhibit.

Despite the registration URL containing “2027,” the event itself is Scale Expo 2026 and will take place Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Helping Startups Move from Prototype to Production

Finding the right manufacturing partner can become a significant challenge as hardware companies move beyond prototypes and begin preparing for commercial production.

Scale Expo is specifically focused on that transition.

Startups attending the event can discuss first production runs, manufacturing processes, capacity requirements, product design considerations and the challenges associated with increasing production volumes.

Innovation Works describes the goal simply: help founders find a manufacturing partner in one day rather than spending months searching for potential suppliers.

The event also connects founders with organizations that support manufacturing and technology development throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Event partners include PGH | MFG, Catalyst Connection and the ARM Institute.

Last Year Generated More Than 400 Founder-Manufacturer Connections

The upcoming event builds on the results of the 2025 Scale Expo.

According to Innovation Works, last year’s event brought together more than 100 entrepreneurs and 30 local manufacturers and resulted in more than 400 one-on-one connections.

Three startup-manufacturer deals were completed within a month of the event.

This year, Innovation Works expects attendance to grow to more than 150 founders.

The model gives manufacturers access to startups that are actively evaluating production options while giving founders a concentrated way to evaluate suppliers and manufacturing capabilities.

Pittsburgh’s Manufacturing and Robotics Ecosystem

Pittsburgh provides a particularly relevant setting for an event connecting advanced manufacturing with hardware startups.

Innovation Works says the region is home to more than 320 robotics, deep-tech and artificial intelligence companies as well as more than 2,800 manufacturing companies.

The manufacturing base includes companies specializing in areas such as advanced materials, additive manufacturing, electronics and robotics integration.

That combination has helped create an ecosystem where robotics and hardware companies can develop technology while also accessing production resources within the region.

“Pittsburgh has long been a place where things get built, and that history gives today’s hardware and robotics founders a real advantage,” Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of Robotics Factory and Hardware at Innovation Works, said in the event announcement.

Scale Expo is part of Innovation Works’ broader manufacturing assistance programs, including its Robotics Factory initiatives supporting robotics startups as they develop and scale their businesses.

Event Details

Scale Expo 2026 will take place Tuesday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rockwell Park, located at 7514 Thomas Boulevard in Pittsburgh.

Founders and startup teams can attend free of charge. Advance registration is requested, although Innovation Works says on-site registration will also be available.

Pennsylvania manufacturers interested in exhibiting can apply through the event registration page, with preference given to companies located in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

More information and registration are available through the Scale Expo event page and Luma registration page.