After 16 years at University City District, Matt Bergheiser is launching a worker-ownership energy venture
By Sarah Huffman
Published on March 12, 2026.
Matt Bergheiser, former president of the University City District (UCD), is launching a worker-ownership energy venture, Celsius, which will purchase smaller clean energy companies and give employees an ownership stake in the portfolio. The company will use an employee stock ownership plan to transfer the business to employees rather than selling it to a third party. Companies from other parts of the country are also expanding their presence in the region, including data monetization startup Datavault AI, which relocated its headquarters from Oregon to Philadelphia last fall. Local institutions are also working to build up the future tech workforce. Penn Engineering has launched a new program to support local high school students interested in STEM fields.
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