Etsy wants to link its designers with Pittsburgh manufacturing firms

Etsy, the online marketplace for crafters and artisans, is seeking small manufacturers in the Pittsburgh region to help its million-plus sellers and designers grow their enterprises.

The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based e-commerce site on Tuesday invited local craft businesses, small manufacturers and economic development groups who might assist them in forming partnerships to the Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District to brief them on the new Etsy Manufacturing initiative.

Etsy launched the program last fall “because we heard from our sellers that they needed help to scale their businesses,” said Emily Smith, senior product manager for Etsy Manufacturing.

Etsy counts 1.5 million makers on its site who collectively generate $2.4 billion in annual sales.

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