Build or buy: Learn from commercialization experts at the Robotics Summit

At some point, every startup will have to decide which elements of its system it will make in-house and which elements it will outsource to trusted partners. The build versus buy debate is inevitable, and there’s not one answer that will work for every startup. At the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo, a panel of seasoned experts will explore the critical role of outsourcing in robotics commercialization.

The breakout session “The Robotics Scale-Up: Commercialization Journey” will explore how strategic manufacturing partnerships can accelerate time to market, enhance product quality, and optimize costs.

Panelists Jennifer Apicella of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, Larry Jasinski of Lifeward, and Karl Sanchack of Carnegie Foundry will share real-world strategies, insights, and best practices for turning innovative ideas into successful products. Discover firsthand how to navigate common challenges and scale operations effectively from leaders who have done it all.

The Robotics Summit & Expo will be on April 30 and May 15, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center,

Meet the speakers

Apicella has successfully developed strategic partnerships

Jennifer Apicella is executive director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN). She oversees 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 more than 15 years of experience working in advanced technologies, Apicella has spent the majority of her career helping enterprise clients successfully adopt them.  She has a strong track record for developing strategic business partnerships to expedite commercial expansion across new industrial markets with the goal of accelerating revenue growth and increasing market share for complex technologies.

In addition to her current work, Apicella is an active advocate for workforce equity and inclusion. She serves on the National Board of getWITit (Women in Tech), Women in Robotics Pittsburgh Chapter, as well as several other tech and robotics community initiatives.

Jasinski has commercialization experience from three companies

Larry Jasinski has served as CEO and as a member of the Lifeward board since February 2012. From 2005 until 2012, he was the president and CEO of Soteira, a company involved in the development and commercialization of products to treat individuals with vertebral compression fractures. The company was acquired by Globus Medical in 2012.

From 2001 to 2005, Jasinski was president and CEO of Cortek, a company that developed next-generation treatments for degenerative disc disease, which was acquired by Alphatec in 2005. In addition, from 1985 until 2001, he served in multiple sales, research and development, and general management roles at Boston Scientific Corp.

Jasinski holds a B.Sc. in marketing from Providence College and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport.

Sanchack a driving force in the evolution of automation

Karl H. Sanchack is an executive with more than 30 years of experience in leadership, technology development, and innovation. He is currently the chief operating officer of Carnegie Foundry, a robotics and AI/ML venture studio in Pittsburgh. Sanchack has established himself as a driving force in the evolution of automation technologies.

As part of this studio, Sanchack is also a co-founder and chief operating officer of Freespace Robotics Inc., a player in revolutionizing industrial logistics. Freespace Robotics has developed a high-density, modular automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The company designed it to optimize sorting, sequencing, and order fulfillment in warehouses. The system has transitioned from concept to commercialization under Sanchack’s leadership.

His career spans major corporations like Lockheed Martin, as well as dynamic Silicon Valley startups, where he has excelled in product innovation, strategic partnerships, and operational leadership.

More about the Robotics Summit & Expo

The 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo will bring together more than 5,000 attendees focused on building robots for various commercial industries. Attendees can gain insights into the latest enabling technologies, engineering best practices, emerging trends, and more.

Keynote speakers will include:

The show will have more than 50 educational sessions in tracks on AI, design and development, enabling technologies, healthcare, and logistics. The Engineering Theater on the show floor will also feature presentations by industry experts.

The expo hall will have over 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest enabling technologies, products, and services that can help robotics engineers throughout their development journeys.

The Robotics Summit also offers numerous networking opportunities, a Career Fair, a robotics development challenge, the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards Gala, and more.

Co-located with the event is DeviceTalks Boston, the premier event for medical technology professionals, currently in its tenth year. Both events attract engineering and business professionals from a broad range of healthcare and medical technology backgrounds.

Registration is now open.

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