The State of Federal Funding: Impacts on Innovation in Robotics & Tech

The State of Federal Funding - Impact on Innovation in Robotics & Tech

📅WHEN: Tuesday, May 6th at 11:00am US EST

📍WHERE: Virtual Webinar

Join us for an insightful virtual dicsussion on the evolving landscape of federal funding and key insights to better under the potential challenges.

Join the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and Dentons for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of federal funding for emerging technology companies. As federal funding continues to be a crucial lifeline for robotics startups and other early-stage tech companies, what does the future hold? This webinar will provide key insights from Dentons’ Public Policy and Venture Technology leaders, helping companies navigate funding uncertainties and better understand potential challenges ahead. This session will focus on what companies should expect regarding awards already made or submitted, as well as potential funding paths under consideration.

Discussion Topics Include:

✅The current status of SBIR Grants

✅Potential funding cuts and which sectors may be impacted

✅Implications for infrastructure funding, DOT projects, and more

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leading experts about the federal funding landscape and what it means for your business!

Presented By:

Dentons is the world's largest global law firm, providing innovative legal and strategic counsel to companies at the forefront of technology and robotics. With a deep understanding of public policy, venture technology, and regulatory landscapes, Dentons helps startups and established tech firms navigate complex funding opportunities, compliance challenges, and market expansion strategies. From securing federal funding to structuring transformative deals, Dentons partners with innovators to drive growth and shape the future of emerging industries.

About Our Panelists

Chris Fetzer is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy, Regulation, and Government Affairs Group. With over two decades of experience in national security, energy, trade, and technology policy, he advises companies—ranging from startups to multinational corporations—on navigating Congress and the Executive Branch. Chris is a Top Lobbyist (The Hill, 2022-2024) and serves on multiple international policy advisory boards.

Jennifer Apicella is Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, overseeing the growth and development of the Pittsburgh region’s commercial robotics cluster, which is one of the top robotics business ecosystems in the world. With 15+ years of experience working in advanced technologies, she has spent the majority of her career helping clients succeed with enterprise technology solution adoption. She has a strong track record for developing strategic business partnerships to expedite commercial expansion across new industry markets, with the goal of achieving accelerated revenue growth and increased market share for complex technology solution adoption.

Jeanne Iasella is the Managing Director of Life Sciences for Innovation Works. Jeanne is an experienced leader in the healthcare space with more than 25 years in the medical device, pharma and healthcare software sectors. Prior to joining Innovation Works, she served as Chief Solutions Officer at TeleTracking Technologies. Prior roles include leading pharmacy supply chain solutions for Omnicell, Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions for Bayer HealthCare, and Chief Information Officer for MEDRAD.

About Our Moderator

David Kalson is a National Group Leader of Dentons' Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies Group and a Board Member of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. He has worked extensively with robotics and life science companies for over 30 year, and has played a key role in transforming Pittsburgh into both a global robotics hub and a rapidly growing life science cluster. David has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in multiple categories, and was most recently named the 2025 "Lawyer of the Year" for Venture Capital Law in Pittsburgh.

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