PITTSBURGH, PA (October 7, 2024) – Carnegie Foundry, a leading robotics and AI venture studio, specializing in the development and commercialization of next-generation autonomous robotics and AI, proudly announces the addition of Richard Fruehauf as Chief Venture Officer. Carnegie Foundry, in collaboration with the National Robotics Engineering Center (“NREC”) at Carnegie Mellon University’s world-renowned Robotics Institute, brings to market innovative robotics and automation solutions for some of the most pressing challenges society faces.
Mr. Fruehauf brings several decades of corporate leadership experience in manufacturing and technology. Most recently, he had executive responsibility as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) (“U. S. Steel”), for creating and driving U. S. Steel’s strategy and sustainability priorities to achieve profitable growth. Those efforts included organic growth projects and M&A, including the transformational acquisition of the high-tech Big River Steel mill. Prior to his almost ten years with U. S. Steel, he spent six years at Westinghouse Electric Company, a leading global supplier of commercial nuclear technology.
Building on its success with several launched and seeded start-ups, Carnegie Foundry is now entering a new phase of aggressive growth. As Chief Venture Officer, Mr. Fruehauf will focus on securing key partnerships and investments to support a robust pipeline of new ventures. “Having worked with Carnegie Foundry during my tenure at U.S. Steel, I was deeply impressed by its unique capability to deliver a continuous flow of significant innovations. I am excited to now play a direct role in helping to bring pioneering IP to market. Carnegie Foundry is well positioned to create value for investors by building companies with this cutting-edge technology to address some of society’s most pressing problems while enhancing America’s global competitiveness in autonomous robotics and AI,” Fruehauf said.
“Rich brings invaluable experience, relationships, and insights to our team,” said Dr. Robert Szczerba, CEO of Carnegie Foundry. “While Pittsburgh is poised to revolutionize robotics and manufacturing, the region faces a scarcity of investment in industrial robotics, compared to the software sector. Rich understands these challenges and has the expertise to drive impactful change."
Decarbonization and Sustainability are among the key areas Carnegie Foundry is targeting for future market entry. Mr. Fruehauf, who served as U.S. Steel’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, will help Carnegie Foundry explore new ventures in these, and other, critical areas.
These new ventures would fill out the portfolio of Carnegie Foundry’s existing companies, which includes Freespace Robotics, a leader in next-generation dynamic, high-density warehouse automation, and VoxEQ, which specializes in real-time AI voice analysis and demographic identification. The company is also developing solutions in AI-driven healthcare and autonomous systems for robotics and vehicle fleets.
Before his tenures at U.S. Steel and Westinghouse, Mr. Fruehauf practiced law with Alcoa Inc. and Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. in Pittsburgh and Covington & Burling in Washington D.C. Earlier in his career he served in national security roles focused on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, foreign military assistance and technology transfer with the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Arms Control & Disarmament Agency, and the Department of the Navy.
A native of Pittsburgh, Mr. Fruehauf holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and serves as Chair of the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.
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About Carnegie Foundry
Carnegie Foundry is a unique Robotics and AI venture studio, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. In partnership with the world leader in autonomous robotics and AI - the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University – we develop, mature and spin out companies that commercialize cutting-edge intellectual property and advanced prototypes, already market tested and primed for new and expanded applications. For more information visit www.carnegiefoundry.com.
Inquiries:
CEO: Robert J. Szczerba, rob@carnegiefoundry.com