Applications Open for 2026–2027 Cohort
The Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute Pathways Fellowship, an initiative designed to nurture non-traditional entrepreneurial talent in robotics and technology, is now accepting applications for it’s 2026-2027 cohort.
The Pathways Fellowship provides a launchpad for aspiring founders who want to build or expand ventures that integrate robotics, automation, or related technologies. Ideal candidates are able to commit full-time to the program (40+ hours per week) and are eager to engage deeply in both technical and entrepreneurial development. Selected fellows receive stipends, access to CMU coursework, individualized mentorship, and a year of structured programming focused on turning ideas into impact.
The Pathways Fellowship blends essential components including financial support, academic opportunities from Carnegie Mellon University, mentorship, and off-campus supplemental opportunities to ensure aspiring founders have the skills and support needed to succeed. Designed for individuals from groups historically underrepresented in technology and robotics, the program provides a bridge between academic innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship, creating space for fellows to grow as both technologists and business leaders.
Now in its third year, the Pathways Fellowship welcomed a new cohort of aspiring engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs ready to turn their robotics-related business ideas into scalable ventures this Fall. Over the course of the year, fellows will engage with CMU specific academic opportunities, participate in entrepreneurship workshops, and receive hands-on mentorship from leaders across academia and industry.
2025–2026 Fellows:
Obawole Idowu is the Co-Founder and CTO of Toyz Electronics, a Carnegie Mellon-based startup gamifying workforce training for Gen Z through digital twins and AI. A graduate of CMU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program, he joins the Pathways Fellowship to deepen his robotics expertise and scale Toyz’s mission of preparing the next generation for the future of work.
Jessica Jade Jacob is an entrepreneur and makeup artist with over a decade of experience in film and television, working with talent such as Jon Hamm, Geena Davis, and Kid Cudi. Holding a patent for 3D-printed and laser-cut eyelash manufacturing, she joins the Fellowship to refine her production methods and bring her beauty innovations to market.
Mary Squire is a biomedical engineer and CMU alum who co-founded HeadStrait Labs, developing robotic-assisted tools to improve head and neck stabilization during emergency transport. With dual master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Technology Innovation Management, she joins the Fellowship to advance robotics integration in medical device design and manufacturing.
Jasmine Roberts is an electrical engineer and software engineer specializing in AR/VR and perceptual computing. She holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. Her professional experience includes developing the Depth API for Google’s ARCore, alongside research roles at NASA Glenn Research Center, the UC San Diego Salk Institute. Her work is inspired by the distributedness of biological systems, and through the fellowship, she aims to pioneer new methods for enabling on-device computation and perception.
Miles Mufuka Martin is a self-taught programmer and founder of Relai, an IoT platform creating secure “Exchange Zones” for pickups and drop-offs. A lifelong Pittsburgher, he joins the Fellowship to build technical fluency in robotics and automation and help shape the city’s next generation of innovators.
2025-2026 Leadership Team
Oliver Kroemer, associate professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, will serve as Faculty Lead. Kroemer’s expertise in robot learning and manipulation will help fellows gain practical insights into the latest research and industry trends, ensuring that each participant’s venture is grounded in both technical rigor and entrepreneurial potential.
Joining him in guiding the program’s next phase, Ashlyn Lacovara has been named Program Manager for the Pathways Fellowship, overseeing all day-to-day operations and serving as the primary point of contact for participants throughout the year. Lacovara will lead program implementation, mentorship coordination, and fellow engagement.
The Pathways Fellowship is managed by InnovatePGH as part of the Expanded Pathways to Entrepreneurship project, supported through the Department of Commerce, helping ensure that Pittsburgh’s robotics economy continues to grow.
For More Information:
Bethany Paola | 530-721-3812 | BP@Innovatepgh.com
Aaron Aupperlee | 412-268-9068 | aaupperlee@cmu.edu