Innovation Works

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Releases Independent Report on its Economic Impact on Pennsylvania

sbower — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:44:00 GMT

HARRISBURG & PITTSBURGH, PA – At an event held on Monday, June 3, 2013at 10:00 A.M. in the East Wing Rotunda of the Harrisburg State Capitol Building, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) announced the results of an independent, third-party evaluation of its impact on the State’s economy. The activities of Innovation Works, the Ben Franklin Technology Partner of Southwestern PA, are covered in the report’s aggregated data.

Read more in the press release

Read the BFTP Executive Summary

AlphaLab Gear launches to accelerate growth of companies building physical products

sbower — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:08:00 GMT

Innovation Works, one of the country’s most active seed-stage investors, in collaboration with Startbot, is launching AlphaLab Gear (www.alphalab.org/gear), a hardware and robotics startup accelerator that provides physical product companies with investment, manufacturing equipment and mentorship in a collaborative work space.

Read more in the press release

Pittsburgh's positive investment growth bucks national trends according to Ernst & Young and Innovation Works report

sbower — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:48:00 GMT

While the rest of the nation generally saw declines in the number of venture capital dollars and deals last year, Pittsburgh’s investment scene roared to life with a 54% increase in the number of financing deals while investment totals also outpaced the previous year. In a joint report entitled “Optimizing Opportunities,” Ernst & Young and seed-stage investor Innovation Works report that over a five-year period deals and investment levels increased, mergers and acquisitions increased and the stage has been set for future growth.

Read more in the press release

Funding Cycle Open for IW’s Technology Commercialization Proposals in

sbower — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:05:00 GMT

Innovation Works is accepting proposals for the latest funding cycle of the Technology Commercialization Initiative (TCI), a statewide effort to commercialize Pennsylvania’s university research and/or corporate innovation in robotics and advanced electronics.

Read more in the press release

$1.2M is Just the Right Fit for Shoefitr's Series A Round

sbower — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:00:19 GMT

OCT. 27, 2011 -- PITTSBURGH, PA – Shoefitr, an early-stage technology company that helps online shoe shoppers find the right fit, has received $1.2 million in funding from Maryland-based Vital Financial LLC and Pittsburgh investor network BlueTree Allied Angels. Innovation Works, a seed-stage investor in Pittsburgh-area startups, also participated in the round.

Read more in the press release

$1.95M Secured by Pittsburgh Organizations for Federal Jobs and Innovation Program in Underserved Communities

sbower — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:05:28 GMT

Three Pittsburgh organizations announced today that they have been awarded $1.95 million from the federal government to accelerate the creation of jobs and economic growth in underserved communities that have, to date, not benefitted from the resurgence of industries such as energy and healthcare.

Read more in the press release

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announces Winners of i6 Challenge

sbower — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:56:08 GMT

Allegheny Conference & Innovation Works announce new Energy Alliance

alpha_host — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:41:46 GMT

(Pittsburgh, PA – December 1, 2009) – At its Annual Meeting today, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development will announce the formation of the Energy Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania, a strategic partnership for tomorrow’s energy solutions.

Guided by CEOs of energy-related firms and universities and staffed primarily by the Allegheny Conference and Innovation Works, the Alliance will be a virtual organization focused on developing and executing a strategy for Pittsburgh regional energy industry growth.

Ben Franklin Technology Investment grew Pennsylvania economy by $9.3 Billion, Pennsylvania Economy League Study shows

innovation_admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:25:53 GMT

HARRISBURG, PA – February 12, 2009, Government investment in early-stage technology companies and in innovation in established manufacturers in Pennsylvania from 2002 to 2006 injected billions into the state economy, returned $3.50 for each $1 spent and created thousands of new high-wage jobs, according to a new study released by the Pennsylvania Economy League.

Read More at Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Honored with National, International Awards

alpha_host — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:15:29 GMT

Pittsburgh, PA – October 30, 2008 – "Deputy Secretary Rebecca Bagley said recognition of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners by the International Economic Development Council, and the tribute to Innovation Works by the State Science and Technology Institute, are a result of their work to bring high-tech businesses to Pennsylvania and improve access to investment capital."

Innovation Works Alphalab Seeking Next Software, Entertainment Technology And Web Application Companies For Investment, Office Space, Assistance: Dead

alpha_host — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:47:20 GMT

Pittsburgh, PA – September 15, 2008 – AlphaLab, Innovation Works’ 20-week program to accelerate the growth of software, entertainment technology and Internet-related companies, is taking applications until October 15, 2008 for the winter/spring cycle of funding and assistance which will begin January 5, 2009. The on-line application can be found at www.alphalab.org.

Pittsburgh Innovates: A Call for Entries Technologists engage the Pittsburgh community through web-based competition

alpha_host — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:56:33 GMT

PITTTSBURGH – Aug. 26, 2008 –This fall, the Greater Keystone Innovation Zone (GO KIZ) is sponsoring Pittsburgh Innovates at pittsburghinnovates.com, a contest designed to leverage web-based media to increase awareness of innovation, technology and its connections to the region.

My Payment Network Receives Investment from Innovation Works to Expand Reach to More Schools, Enter New Markets with Online Payment Solutions

alpha_host — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:03:24 GMT

PITTSBURGH, PA – August 6, 2008 – My Payment Network, providing electronic payment services that support organizations such as K-12 schools and specific industries, has received an investment of $200,000 from Innovation Works, the most active investor in seed-stage technology companies in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The investment from Innovation Works will allow My Payment Network to expand their number of partnering resellers beyond the company’s current distribution contracts, which represent about 25% of the nation’s K-12 schools, and move into other markets.

Innovation Works selects software, Internet, and interactive game companies as first participants in AlphaLab

alpha_host — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:20:02 GMT

PITTSBURGH, PA -- JUNE 25, 2008 -- The first companies have been selected to participate in AlphaLab, a new program of Innovation Works to spur the growth of companies developing software, interactive games, and web and mobile applications. Innovation Works, one of the nation’s most active seed-stage investors, selected the following companies to participate in the initial AlphaLab program: BlenderHouse, Chogger, crono, GameHuddle, Skill-Life, and Sonya Labs.

Innovation Works Launches AlphaLab to Rapidly Grow Software-Related Companies by Providing Investment, Office Space, Expertise

alpha_host — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:09:25 GMT

PITTTSBURGH – Feb. 21, 2008 –Innovation Works, one of the country’s most active investors in seed-stage technology companies, is launching AlphaLab to accelerate the development of software, interactive games and Internet-related companies. AlphaLab provides funding, free office space, and intense business mentoring for up to twelve companies per year that will be selected in two, six-month cycles. The immersive AlphaLab experience helps companies rapidly develop their technology, test and improve ‘alpha’ (early iteration) releases and move toward successful commercial launch of their software product. AlphaLab is now accepting applications from entrepreneurs to join the first group of companies to begin the six-month program in May. The on-line application must be submitted by March 31, 2008 and can be found at www.alphalab.org.