Robotics Accelerator Program for Early-Stage Robotics Start-ups

Robotics Factory Accelerate is a founder-focused robotics accelerator program helping early-stage startups turn prototypes into scalable, production-ready solutions. Based in Pittsburgh and run alongside the nationally recognized AlphaLab program, selected founders receive funding, deep tech expertise, and hands-on support to bring robotics innovation to market.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently asked question

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Frequently asked question

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Frequently asked question

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Frequently asked question

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Frequently asked question

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Frequently asked question

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A Robotics Start-up Accelerator
for Founders Ready to Build

Robotics Factory Accelerate is designed exclusively for early-stage robotics companies looking to transform working prototypes into commercially viable products. The program combines funding, technical resources, and personalized mentorship to help founders overcome the unique challenges of scaling a robotics startup.

Founders accepted into the program gain access to the tools, expertise, and networks necessary to move from concept to market-ready, with product-market fit, manufacturability, and investment readiness built into the process.

Robotics Factory Accelerate Founder Benefits

Up to $100,000 in pre-seed funding through a convertible note

12 months of office space in our Robotics Factory facility in Pittsburgh, complete with full prototyping and robotics testing shop

1:1 mentorship from experienced startup founders and robotics experts via the Pittsburgh Robotics Network

Access to on-site prototyping lab product development support, including design reviews, manufacturing bootcamps, and toolkits to prepare for production at scale

Multi-track accelerator expertise in AI, software development, healthcare, and hardware throughout adjacent Alphalab programming

Customized business coaching from Innovation Works' accelerator team, tailored to your company's goals and milestones

Connection to Pittsburgh's nationally recognized robotics ecosystem

Inside the Robotics Accelerator Program: Meet Our Current #RF2026 Cohort

Clear Solar is developing an electrostatic cleaning technology, licensed from NASA, that enables critical surfaces like solar panels to be cleaned up to 1,000× cheaper and 100× more frequently than existing systems.

Hermes Vision is automating invasive weed management in pastures, rangelands, and rough terrain using drone-based precision.

Inductive Robotics delivers autonomous robotic charging for fleet and commercial EVs, bringing power directly to parked vehicles without costly infrastructure or dedicated charging spaces.

Mimetic develops biocompatible 3D printing hardware and materials that dramatically accelerate biomedical and pharmaceutical research.

Power 3D manufactures high–energy-density microbatteries for wearables and IoT sensors by combining 3D printing with semiconductor manufacturing processes.

SpoilSafe is a hardware-enabled food intelligence platform that uses gas sensors and machine learning to predict spoilage risk in real time across the cold chain.

TramR builds easy-to-deploy autonomous mobile robots that help small and mid-sized businesses move materials between workstations with rapid payback.

Vaera creates high-quality at-home microneedling technology that reduces unnecessary skin trauma and offers a cost-effective alternative to in-office dermatology treatments.

Built in Pittsburgh: Our Robotics Factory Alumni

2025 Cohort

Beyond Reach Labs is pioneering the next generation of deployable infrastructure for both Earth and space applications.

OctaPulse automates fish grading and phenotyping with AI-powered vision, helping farms cut labor costs, improve health outcomes, and scale profitably.

Applying artificial intelligence to automate electronic waste disassembly

Silly Surfacing, LLC offers a patent-pending autonomous robot that uses AI and LiDAR to detect, map, and repair potholes in motion, enhancing road safety and reducing traffic disruptions.

At Space Precision Systems (SPS), we engineer space mechanisms that excel in the harshest environments, ensuring unmatched reliability for satellite manufacturers, space agencies, and commercial launch providers.

2024 Cohort

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

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

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

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

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

2023 Cohort

Voaige is building AI vision software with physical intuition to address labor shortage across industries.

Velo AI is building the world’s smartest bicycle safety platform.

Leaficient uses computer vision and AI to revolutionize horticultural lighting within indoor farms.

Grasp Robotics has developed robotic muscles with human-like strength and capabilities for advanced prosthetics.

Cell X Technologies is revolutionizing stem cell processing by using a combination of robotics, imaging, and artificial intelligence.

Aquatonomy creates underwater intelligence using autonomous robots.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need to be located in Southwestern Pennsylvania?

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

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.

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.

When is the next application cycle?

The applications for the 2026 cohort have closed. Please watch this site for our next cycle for 2027. You can also follow the AlphaLab application page for the latest, as Robotics Factory and AlphaLab occur simultaneously.

What are the program requirements?

Eligibility for Robotics Factory Accelerate can be found here. Robotics Factory Accelerate operates in conjunction with Innovation Works' AlphaLab program.

What equipment is in your prototyping lab?

Our lab is constantly evolving to include machines necessary for building your vision. For a current list of equipment available, visit our Scale page on this site.