Innovation Works

It’s your vision. We help make it a reality.

Helping software entrepreneurs create successful businesses and get to their next stage of  growth is what Innovation Works is all about.

Companies as diverse as Honeycomb Credit, BlastPoint, Gridwise and many others were launched with IW’s assistance. IW  provides what all successful startups need during their earliest stages: mentorship, expertise, networking, and capital. 

Are you a software entrepreneur?

Apply to IW

~ OR ~

Tell us more about yourself!

Seed Fund

Innovation works is the largest seed stage investor in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and one of the most active in the country. We are dedicated to helping software companies including enterprise, infrastructure, SaaS, and consumer products (including ecommerce, marketplace, content), and mobile companies.

Since its launch in 1999, IW has invested over $117 million in 729 companies. Those companies have gone on to raise over $3.3 billion of follow-on investment from several hundred investors. 

AlphaLab

AlphaLab is Innovation Works’ nationally ranked software accelerator, an immersive program with funding for early stage tech companies. Our focus is on helping entrepreneurs quickly figure out the best way to build and grow their companies. AlphaLab is different from other accelerators for two main reasons: we focus on the earlier stages of initial product and customer development, and we keep our cohorts small with 6-8 companies per cycle for a more personal and tailored experience.

Our philosophy for building a company is simple – engage with your customers early and often in order to find true product-market fit through quick iterations. Throughout and after the program, AlphaLab provides:

  • Connections to top mentors, experts, and our robust alumni network;
  • Weekly programming by industry leaders;
  • Office space in a collaborative yet structured work environment;
  • Up to $50K in funding and the opportunity to raise money from the Innovation Works seed fund;
  • An $800,000+ value in perks through GAN.

In short, you’ll learn faster, build networks more quickly, learn from each other, strengthen your team, and gain greater visibility. But don’t just take our word for it. Ten of its alumni companies have been acquired, including Black Locus (Home Depot), NoWait (Yelp) and Shoefitr (Amazon). Our alums have gone on to raise more than $100M in follow-on funding.

Have questions about AlphaLab?

Visit their website at alphalab.org.