Innovation Works

Great opportunity for regional founders!

Last week, nine dynamic founders from the Anvil Founder Coaching Program climbed the stairs of Avenu Workspace in Oakland—not just for the view, but to pitch their world-changing startups. Among the companies, Reclamation Factory, a 2024 cohort alum, is tackling America’s plastic crisis with high-tech recycling micro-factories that are as easy to use as a dumpster—and way more elegant. And Beyond Reach Labs, Inc., is rethinking deployable infrastructure for disaster zones and even outer space, using designs inspired by origami. These startups, and others, are redefining what’s possible—one pitch at a time. Read the full article https://lnkd.in/evv3ns74

Your front-row seat to market-defining innovation from the cradle of AI. AI & Robotics Venture Day is back on September 24 at Carnegie Mellon University—and applications are now open for accredited investors. Join us for a one-day, highly curated showcase of 30 investor-ready startups applying AI, robotics, and deep tech across sectors like health, automation, and energy. You won't want to miss this event during CMU's Start-Up Week. Built here. Scalable everywhere. Apply to attend: https://hubs.ly/Q03zRhXn0 Hosting by Innovation Works, Carnegie Mellon University, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, Project Olympus CMU, and CMU VentureBridge #BuiltInPittsburgh #VentureDay #StartupInvesting #VentureCapital

Once a steel town. Now, the launchpad for AI deployment. Innovation Works is a proud sponsor of the AI Horizons Pittsburgh Forge AI Pitch Challenge. Pennsylvania’s first statewide AI challenge, rewarding deployment-ready innovation with $100K. From robots that inspect power plants to AI in drug discovery, our startups are reshaping the industries that built America. 📍 Live pitch on Sept 10 at Bakery Square, Pittsburgh 📝 Apps Due Aug 8 🔗 Apply now https://lnkd.in/eYTUnHxA #ForgeAIPitch #PittsburghAI #AIHorizons2025 #RustBeltRevival #AIforImpact

Venture investment in Pittsburgh more than doubled in Q2 — and that’s without counting Skild AI’s $500M raise. With deals like Abridge, Gecko Robotics, and Noveome Biotherapeutics, Inc. leading the way, our region is proving that we don’t just build startups — we build companies that tackle hard problems and shape the future. As President & CEO Ven Raju told Technical.ly: “The region is well-positioned to harness global sector tailwinds in AI and autonomy.” From early-stage founders to billion-dollar breakthroughs, Pittsburgh is showing the world what’s possible when we invest in bold ideas. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eqwwDVqB #PittsburghStartups #VentureCapital #InnovationWorks #AI #Robotics #DeepTech #FounderFocused #TechThatMatters

Pennsylvania’s AI economy is heating up—and now we’re putting it on stage. The AI Horizons Pittsburgh Forge AI Pitch offers $50,000 to the state’s most deployment-ready AI and AI-adjacent startups. The goal? Spotlight real implementation across sectors like energy, defense, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. 🗓️ Apply by August 8 🏆 Final pitch: September 10 @ Bakery Square Pittsburgh 🔗 Visit https://lnkd.in/eYTUnHxA to apply Supported by Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and more. #AIHorizons2025 #ForgeAIPitch #AIeconomy #PittsburghInnovation

Chief Business Development Officer Bob Starzynski will be a featured panelist in “Behind the Deal: CDVC Case Studies of Successful Investments and Lessons from the Field”, hosted by Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) on Wednesday, July 31 at 2PM EST. Bob will share a case study highlighting how Innovation Works blends capital, mentorship, and partnerships to help early-stage companies thrive in Southwestern PA. He’ll be joined by Allison Kelly, CEO of ICA Fund, with moderation by Kerwin Tesdell, President of Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA). Expect an insightful discussion on investment strategies that fuel growth in underserved communities. Register here to attend: https://lnkd.in/ejCS7VKV

As AI reshapes care delivery, health systems face a growing challenge: navigating legacy IT while embracing innovation. The future demands open, scalable solutions that enable automation, integration, and real-time insights.

Looking for funding and want to showcase your game-changing innovations? Look no further than the Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference in Philadelphia on October 29-30, 2025. The conference is presented by Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) and hosted by Blank Rome Events.   55+ entrepreneurial companies selected will present their ideas live in front of national investors, advisors, and key decision-makers!   Plus - three will enter the Lion's Den and secure on-site commitments from successful entrepreneurs turned investors. With an aggregate of almost $8 million in funding raised over the past 9 years, this could be the chance you've been waiting for! Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/ePKz2vns

Congratulations to FlowCellutions CEO, Becca Segel, PhD for joining the #ActivateCohort2025! This is a big step towards supporting our current and future customer partnerships, and driving upcoming FlowCellutions technology advancement. Looking forward to expanding our reach to the Houston energy scene!