Applications are now open for Scale Residency Program!
Selected companies tackle various challenges including health tech, aviation, and plastic recycling
PITTSBURGH— July 2, 2024 — The Robotics Factory, an Innovation Works program designed to create, accelerate, and scale robotics startups in the Pittsburgh region, has accepted five companies to the second cohort of its Accelerate program. The companies include ForSight Assistive Devices, HeadStraitLabs, Humotech, Journey Robotics, and Reclamation Factory.
The companies will receive up to $100,000 in investment, six months of structured programming and content, hands-on 1-on-1 engagement with industry experts, network building, and 12 months of office space at the Robotics Factory’s facility in Lawrenceville with access to the Robotics Factory Scale prototyping and testing facility.
“The companies joining the Accelerate program follow unique paths to create and build their businesses. We help them perform customer discovery, develop product and market fit, and grow into successful startups,” said Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of the Robotics Factory.“Pittsburgh's broad and deep community of robotics leaders is the perfect environment for these companies to thrive. Our team of entrepreneurs is eager to provide their deep domain and commercialization experience to this cohort.”
This cohort spans robotics applications from health tech to aviation to plastic recycling.
ForSight Assistive Devices: Wearable devices to safely guide visually impaired users through unfamiliar and dynamic environments.
HeadStrait Labs: Medical devices that improve patient outcomes during prehospital care and emergency transportation.
Humotech: Wearable device platforms enabling researchers and developers to accelerate innovation in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons.
Journey Robotics: Aviation automation solution to improve the safety and efficiency of loading, unloading, handling, and throughout of passenger cargo. The creation of Journey Robotics was sparked by the founder’s participation in the Aviation and Robotics Summit in April 2023.
Reclamation Factory: Automated, modular plastics recycling machines producing high-quality and manufacture-ready source materials from disposed plastics.
Since graduation, members of the inaugural cohort made notable accomplishments. CellX Technologies closed over $6 million in Seed Stage funding, Voaige has raised $2 million in pre-seed led by Draper Associates and Boost VC, Aquatonomy secured $20,000 and first place at the Duquesne New Venture Challenge, and Velo AI sold out their first production run of Copilot.
Learn more about the Robotics Factory and how its programs build upon Pittsburgh’s history as a hub for tech talent.
About the Robotics Factory
The Robotics Factory is an Innovation Works program designed to create, accelerate, and scale robotics startups in the Pittsburgh region. The programs provide entrepreneurs with the capital, tailored mentorship, manufacturing, and robotics resources they need to grow their companies. The Robotics Factory launched in 2023 as part of the $63 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative. Learn more at roboticsfactory.org.
About Innovation Works
Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since the inception of its seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 700 companies that have gone on to raise $3.3 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org.
Contact
Lexie Capperella
Gregory FCA for Innovation Works
Jane Joseph
Director of Communications and Community Development
jjoseph@innovationworks.org
