Robotics Factory Accelerate Program
The Robotics Factory, a division of Innovation Works dedicated to creating, accelerating, and scaling robotics companies in the Pittsburgh region, has opened the application window for its Accelerate program. The application window for entrepreneurs is Jan. 9 through Feb. 20, 2025.
Gartner, a leading technology consulting firm, identified robotics as a top tech trend for 2025 and predicts that 80% of people will engage with robots on a daily basis by 2030, up from less than 10% in 2024. The robotics sector has also been attractive to investors — robotics and hardware accounted for 68% of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s tech investments in 2023.
With its third cohort, the Robotics Factory aims to cultivate the next wave of startups transforming various industries. Selected companies will participate in this year’s program, which will run from June to December.
“Our first two cohorts have spurred terrific startups that are still on the rise, and we’re eager to see what a new wave of founders can achieve,” said Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of the Robotics Factory and hardware program at Innovation Works. “One of several features that makes the Robotics Factory unique is that entrepreneurs have regular and frequent access to an entire team of professionals who have both domain and business expertise who are invested in their future success.”
The core curriculum includes topics that may be unfamiliar to tech and robotics founders, including identifying customer and market fit, managing finances, and scaling a hardware business. Sector-specific programming includes understanding how to manufacture at scale and cost, developing a bill of materials, and designing for manufacturing and assembly.
The Accelerate program will select up to six pre-seed robotics startups to receive up to $100,000 in funding, mentorship, and resources to take their company to the next stage of growth. During the program, companies will move into the Robotics Factory’s co-working space, have access to manufacturing and robotics resources including a production-grade prototype scale shop, and receive coaching and support tailored to their specific business needs. The participants will also have access to mentorship opportunities with successful robotics executives via the Pittsburgh Robotics Network.
“The Robotics Factory’s Accelerate Program provided Humotech with invaluable strategic guidance, helping us prepare for investment while refining our processes, manufacturing documentation, and scalability,” said Candice Caputo, Chief Operating Officer at Humotech, which was part of the program’s second cohort. “This support has been pivotal as we work to bring our innovative clinical application to market.”
Entrepreneurs can apply for the third cohort through Feb. 20, 2025. After the application window closes, the Robotics Factory team will take up to two weeks to finalize its review and interview selection and will contact all applicants to notify them of their status.
Learn more about the Robotics Factory.
Contact
Gretchen Weaver
Innovation Works
gweaver@innovationworks.org
Lexie Capperella
Gregory FCA for Innovation Works
lexie@gregoryfca.com