Innovation Works
Regional startup accelerator and early-stage investor supporting technology startups across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Services include seed and early-stage investment through managed funds, cohort-based accelerators with sector tracks (software, hardware, life sciences, robotics), robotics-focused programs, prototyping and manufacturing assistance (grants, residencies, facility access), grant administration, mentorship and investor matchmaking, and regional ecosystem and event programming to move startups from prototype to commercialization.
Innovation Works
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, North America
Services
Regional seed fund and direct investing
Management of early-stage investment vehicles and direct investments providing initial capital and participation in follow-on financings for technology startups; includes co-investment partnerships and investor onboarding.
Cohort-based accelerators with sector tracks
Accelerator cohorts offering a core curriculum and sector-specific tracks (software, hardware, life sciences, robotics) with mentorship, programming, and track resources.
Robotics-focused programs and funding
Programs and funding tracks for robotics and automation startups that include workshops, collaborative development sessions, mentorship, prototyping access, and program-level funding.
Manufacturing assistance: grants, residencies, and scale shop access
Reimbursement grants for collaborations with local manufacturers, multi-month residency placements, access to a scale shop with advanced prototyping tools, and technical assistance to subsidize prototyping and production costs.
Manufacturing Innovation Adoption grants
Grants to help manufacturers adopt or develop new technologies with documented program outcomes and stated award limits.
Manufacturing Intern Program
Subsidy program providing funds to manufacturers to hire interns to strengthen the regional manufacturing talent pipeline.
Regional seed fund and direct investing
Management of early-stage investment vehicles and direct investments providing initial capital and participation in follow-on financings for technology startups; includes co-investment partnerships and investor onboarding.
Cohort-based accelerators with sector tracks
Accelerator cohorts offering a core curriculum and sector-specific tracks (software, hardware, life sciences, robotics) with mentorship, programming, and track resources.
Robotics-focused programs and funding
Programs and funding tracks for robotics and automation startups that include workshops, collaborative development sessions, mentorship, prototyping access, and program-level funding.
Manufacturing assistance: grants, residencies, and scale shop access
Reimbursement grants for collaborations with local manufacturers, multi-month residency placements, access to a scale shop with advanced prototyping tools, and technical assistance to subsidize prototyping and production costs.
Manufacturing Innovation Adoption grants
Grants to help manufacturers adopt or develop new technologies with documented program outcomes and stated award limits.
Manufacturing Intern Program
Subsidy program providing funds to manufacturers to hire interns to strengthen the regional manufacturing talent pipeline.
Expertise Areas
- Early-stage venture investment and fund management
- Startup acceleration and incubation (cohort-based)
- Robotics and automation company formation and scaling
- Manufacturing scale-up and prototyping support
Key Technologies
- Robotics and automation
- Electromechanical engineering
- Hardware prototyping and advanced prototyping equipment
- Manufacturing scale-up processes