Blinding them with Science

Launching a startup is hard; launching a life sciences startup is harder. IW helps companies with the scientific challenges, clinical understanding, regulatory support and market validation for early-stage healthcare and life sciences technology companies.

Innovations Works helps life science companies get to their next stage of growth by meeting life sciences startups where they are now with our unique partnerships, programs and opportunities.

IW has funded many of the region’s top life science startups including Cognition Therapeutics, Apollo Neuroscience, PECA Labs and Peptilogics. Our current rapidly growing life sciences startups include MindTrace, SpIntellx, Parcel Health, and more.

How we help

Capital

One-third of Innovation Works’ portfolio of companies is life sciences. Since the beginning of the IW’s seed fund, we have invested in over $22 million in life sciences startups that have gone on to raise over $1.8 billion in follow-on investments. 

Life sciences companies can receive funding through our AlphaLab Health accelerator program and our IW seed fund. Initial investment amounts vary based on stage of company and fund and are typically $100K for AlphaLab Health and up to $150K for our seed fund.

Learn how PECA Labs used capital from IW to bridge the funding gap.

Looking for funding? Here are some basics about the life sciences companies IW works with:

• Have ties to Southwestern PA
• Proof of concept exists (accelerator stage)
• At least one full time founder (accelerator stage)
• Developed business model (accelerator stage)
• Proven value and demonstrated customer traction (seed stage)
• Currently raising additional investments in a funding round (seed stage)

Want to know more? Schedule office hours with our Life Sciences Team

We’d also point you to IW’s Startup Recipes collection which is designed to help you validate customer needs and build initial prototypes with minimal funds. Get cooking today!

Know How

IW’s team brings a diversity of experience, knowledge and expertise to the table. Our life science and AlphaLab Health team has experience building and scaling life science companies, leading research, product development, marketing and go-to-market strategies at venture-backed startups, and raising venture-capital investments.  

To complement our awesome life science team, IW boasts amazing connections with the area’s top health systems to assist companies with market production, clinical processes, mentorship and more. 

Additionally, the IW team brings commercialization, investment, and functional experience in related areas such as marketing, human resources, robotics, manufacturing, software development, and more to help scaling businesses get to their next stage of growth.

In short, IW has the people needed to create a custom life sciences program fit to your company’s needs.

Networks

IW’s network is always growing. Our network consists of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, industry and community partners that understand the unique challenges startup companies are facing. Whether you are looking for a peer advisor, out-of-the-box thinker, or trusted industry expert, IW can help make connections locally, regionally, or nationally. Our companies also have access to content, perks and discounts through GAN, an international network of leading accelerator programs, partners and investors.

Community

They say it takes a village to launch a startup and in the IW Portfolio, you are never alone. 

IW fosters a community of entrepreneurs through our: 

• Active portfolio and alumni network
• Founders’ lunches and peer groups
• Mentor relationships
• Accelerator co-working space
• Online community group
• Hosting and sponsoring community events
• Perks and discounts through the Global Accelerator Network (GAN)
• Alumni soccer team
• And more!

Throughout IW’s programs, networks and community, we support diversity and inclusion. IW believes that diversity of backgrounds, thoughts, experiences and ideas is essential to growing a prosperous startup. Learn more about IW’s commitment to diversity.

IW is proud to call Pittsburgh home and there are many reasons to love this region! See why we think Pittsburgh is the place to launch and get your startup to the next stage of growth.