Accelerate Program of Pittsburgh Robotics Factory opens applications for its third cohort

A graphic showing that Robotics Factory applications for its Accelerate Program are open.

For the Accelerate Program, the Robotics Factory will invest up to $100,000 in the form of a convertible note in addition to receiving 2% common stock equity from participating companies. | Source: Robotics Factory

The Robotics Factory has opened the application window for its Accelerate program. The organization is dedicated to creating, accelerating, and scaling robotics companies in the Pittsburgh region. It said it aims to cultivate the next wave of startups transforming various industries.

The application window for entrepreneurs ends Feb. 20, 2025. 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.”

Accelerate Program helps engineers with business side of running a startup

The Accelerate Program’s core curriculum includes topics such as 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 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. Leaficient (see video below) was a member of the first cohort. Last year’s cohort included:

ForSight Assistive Devices: This startup creates wearable devices to safely guide visually impaired users through unfamiliar and dynamic environments.
HeadStrait Labs: HeadStrait Labs creates medical devices that improve patient outcomes during prehospital care and emergency transportation.
Humotech: This startup specializes in wearable platforms enabling researchers and developers to accelerate innovation in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons.
Journey Robotics: Journey Robotics offers an automated system 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: This startup creates automated, modular plastics recycling machines producing high-quality and manufacture-ready source materials from disposed plastics.

During the program, the 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. “This support has been pivotal as we work to bring our innovative clinical application to market.”

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.

Southwestern Pennsylvania gets robotics investment

Gartner Inc. has identified robotics as a top tech trend for 2025. The consultancy has predicted that 80% of people will engage with robots on a daily basis by 2030, up from less than 10% in 2024.

In addition, the robotics sector has also been attractive to investors — robotics and hardware accounted for 68% of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s tech investments in 2023.

The Robotics Factory, a division of Innovation Works, provides entrepreneurs with the capital, tailored mentorship, and 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.