Our Mission
Educating STEM builders and problem-solvers
At Rose City Robotics, we empower the next generation through elite training in robotics, AI, and other STEM technologies. Our programs blend hands-on learning, industry-recognized certifications, and real-world projects to prepare students for a future in technology.
Our educational programs are grounded in active research and state of the art technology. Students gain fluency with the tools used in FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics competitions and then go further, building GitHub portfolios, credentials and experience that stand out in Ivy League applications and interviews at top-tier tech companies.
Our Team
We're a mission-driven team of engineers, educators, and innovators united by a passion for robotics, AI, STEM, and real-world impact. From mentorship to project-based learning, we're committed to empowering the next generation with the skills and confidence to lead in tech and beyond.
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Joseph Cole, Ph.D.
Co-founder and CEO / Technology and Vision
Joseph earned his PhD in applied physics from Rice University and a graduate certificate in applied statistics from Portland State. He is a retired Major with the US Army Reserves and has over 20 years of experience developing computer vision and machine learning algorithms across a variety of industries.
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Duncan Miller, MBA
Co-founder and CFO / Learning and Impact
Duncan is a software engineer with over 20 years of experience as an education founder. He has expertise in curriculum development, AI robotics and clean energy. Duncan earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College and is a faculty member at the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Accelerator.
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Manisha Yadav
Head of STEM Programs and Engagement
Manisha is a passionate hands-on robotics educator and mentor. She is a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Coach, advancing twice to the Oregon State FLL Tournament. Manisha is a Machine Learning engineer and has a Master's in Computer Science from PSU.
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Samantha Town
Marketing and Communications
Sam helps shape our communication and operational strategies with a conscientious emphasis on human relationships and impact. Sam graduated from the University of Oregon and grew up working in a family business in Oregon wine country.
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James Clarke
Video, Media, and Production
James is developing course content and marketing materials using footage he has captured at various Rose City Robotics in-person training events and talks. James is completing his undergraduate degree at Swarthmore College.
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Thomas Reilly
Robotics Intern
Thomas is a high school senior working on a project to port IKFast to ROS2. Thomas also helps setup and run our ALOHA robot from Stanford University, collecting datasets and working robotics software development.
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Kenny Ma
Robotics Intern
Kenny's high school senior project is figuring out how to code a TurtleBot project and then creating a tutorial and learning materials for our students. Kenny built a physical TurtleBot kit and is currently performing experiments with the robot.
Our Advisory Board
Our distinguished advisors in STEM fields and education provide strategic counsel rooted in deep technical expertise and a shared commitment to equity, sustainability, and student impact. Their insights help guide Rose City Robotics as we scale our mission to deliver elite robotics education to more students.
Our Values
We believe robotics and AI should be used to educate, empower, and build a more sustainable and equitable future.
- Integrity
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We are committed to ethical practices in everything we do. As an open-startup we act in service of our impact on people and planet, not profit. No investors, no VC, no PE, no BS.
- Innovation
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We fuse cutting-edge research with real-world problem solving. Whether it's building autonomous systems or educational tools, we iterate quickly and share knowledge openly to help others do the same.
- Impact
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We measure success by how many people we educate, inspire, and support. From workforce readiness to sustainability, we're here to build tools and knowledge that make a lasting difference.
Our Services
In addition to our public curriculum, we also develop and license custom curriculum for high schools, universities, research labs, and Fortune 500 upskilling programs. Our team of PhDs, engineers, and educators works directly with academic and corporate partners to deliver real-world, portfolio-driven learning experiences.
- Computer Vision
- Teach real-world perception systems including image processing, LiDAR, and camera-based navigation—tailored for undergrad, graduate, and workforce retraining programs.
- Digital Twin & Simulation
- Introduce tools like Omniverse, Isaac Sim, Blender, and more for synthetic data generation. Perfect for advanced engineering teams and machine learning projects.
- Algorithmic Thinking & AI Engineering
- Co-develop tracks in robotics-specific ML, motion planning, and embedded intelligence—drawing from real datasets and cutting-edge AI research.
- Capstone Projects & Certifications
- Certification and capstone pipelines for your institution or team. We help students publish and showcase portfolio-ready work aligned with NVIDIA, Gazebo, FIRST, VEX, and more.
Our Company
Open-startup and impact-driven
Rose City Robotics is an open-startup and impact-driven company. We are committed to using education to empower, inspire, and build a more sustainable and equitable future.
As an open-startup, we publish our revenue, expenses and contributions on our website for all to see. We are not funded by venture capital or private equity. We are funded by our founders, our customers and our community. Therefore, we are able to be driven by metrics related to our impact on our students, our employees and the planet over profit.
Our Story
Made in Portland, Oregon
We began in Portland affectionately known as the "Rose City", with a goal to make robotics and clean-tech education accessible, practical, and empowering as well as to advance the state of the art.
Today our industry-recognized certifications and project-based learning experiences equip students with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce. Additionally, we contribute to innovation through our open-source software and grant-funded research.
Company founded
Joseph Cole creates the company as an Oregon corporation.
Grant funding
First grant secured through the State of Oregon SBIR support.
Waivolt merger
Joining forces to create a new AI enabled ed-tech training platform.
Open startup
Conversion to an open startup with transparent financials.