Applications are now open for Scale Residency Program!
Apply Now
Icon Rounded Closed - BRIX Templates

Explore the Robotics Factory Accelerate Program: Empowering Robotics Startups in Pittsburgh

Recognized as a leading initiative in a rapidly growing sector, the Robotics Factory supports startups shaping the future of industries worldwide. With robotics identified as a top tech trend for 2025 and expected to see massive daily engagement by 2030, this is a prime opportunity for entrepreneurs to enter a booming market. Robotics accounted for an impressive 68% of tech investments in Southwestern Pennsylvania in 2023, showcasing the region's commitment to this exciting frontier.

Program Description

Selected startups—up to six pre-seed companies—will receive up to $100,000 in funding, access to the Robotics Factory’s state-of-the-art co-working and production-grade prototyping space, and tailored mentorship from seasoned professionals in robotics and business. Participants benefit from an immersive program covering essentials like customer and market fit, scaling a hardware business, manufacturing at scale, and designing for production. Unique to this program, founders engage regularly with a dedicated team of experts committed to their success.

Past participants highlight the program’s unparalleled value. Candice Caputo, COO at Humotech, credits the Robotics Factory for refining their processes, manufacturing scalability, and investment readiness. "The program’s support has been pivotal in bringing our innovative clinical application to market," she shared.

Program Features

  • 1:1 Mentorship with seasonedstartup leaders via the Pittsburgh Robotics Network

  • 12 months of office space at the Robotics Factory in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh with access to an expansive prototyping workshop and robotics testing shop

  • Product development resources including manufacturing bootcamp, product design reviews, and manufacturing toolkit templates, one-on-one manufacturing office hours

  • 1:1 Business coaching with the Innovation Works program team to help you achieve your specific milestones, with little/no “mandatory” programming

Current Companies

Reclamation Factory is building the future of a distributed circular economy for plastics.

Humotech provides a wearable robotics platform (Caplex™) that enables researchers and developers to rapidly iterate on and evaluate different approaches to assisting human mobility.

Journey Robotics builds aviation automation solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of airport & airline operations.

ForSight Assistive Devices is a company dedicated to creating products to assist the visually impaired.

HeadStrait Labs is a female-led medical device company developing a new technology to improve patient outcomes during prehospital care and ambulance transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be located in SWPA?

Yes, we expect each startup to have a significant presence in SWPA for the duration of the program and for five years following the program.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates

How do you define “robotics” as far as the companies you accept into the accelerator?

We define robotics as a technology that will “sense, perceive, act”. Please tell us more about your product if you are unsure if you meet that definition.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates

Do I need to have customers to be accepted into the accelerator?

No, your company can be pre-revenue, but we expect that a company has completed customer discovery and is actively listening to the needs of potential customers.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates

When is the 2025 Application Cycle?

Applications for the upcoming cohort are now open through February 20, 2025.

Icon - Elements Webflow Library - BRIX Templates