AlphaLab explained

AlphaLab is an American technology startup accelerator based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2008 by Jim Jen. AlphaLab has four tracks, Software, Hardware (AlphaLab Gear), Life Sciences (AlphaLab Health), and Robotics (Robotics Factory).

History

AlphaLab was founded in 2008 by Jim Jen to help startups develop and launch their products, grow their customer base, and secure venture capital funding.^[1] The specific amount of funding provided by AlphaLab is up to $100,000, depending on the startup's needs and stage of development. AlphaLab follows a similar structure to Y Combinator. The accelerator is a subsidiary of Innovation Works, which receives funding from the state of Pennsylvania for economic development. It focuses on technology startups headquartered in the Pittsburgh region.^[2] AlphaLab was one of the first 10 accelerators in the United States and one of the first 100 accelerators in the World.

AlphaLab created AlphaLab Gear (hardware track) in 2013 and AlphaLab Health (life sciences track) in 2021, each operating as part of the AlphaLab accelerator program. ^[3]

Programs

AlphaLab has four tracks, Software, Hardware (AlphaLab Gear), Life Sciences (AlphaLab Health), and Robotics (Robotics Factory). The AlphaLab program provides startups with many resources and mentorship support, including access to office space, funding, programming, and mentorship.

AlphaLab’s curriculum is built on what founders need, the 3 C’s: Customer, Capital, and Community.

Customer

• The customer curriculum is designed to be a game-changer for startup founders looking to achieve lasting success. Through hands-on workshops, 1:1 sessions, and expert-led discussions, founders gain critical skills to refine their value proposition, validate product-market fit, upskill your sales abilities, and engage with real customers. By the end of the program, each founder will have a well-defined customer segment, a polished sales pitch, and a compelling sales deck—powerful tools to kickstart their customer acquisition journey.

Capital

• The capital curriculum equips founders with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully navigate the fundraising journey. From mastering the essentials of investor pitches and financial projections to building an investor-ready data room, our program ensures that founders are prepared at every stage of capital acquisition. Through interactive sessions led by experienced investors, alumni, and industry mentors, founders learn how to develop a compelling fundraising strategy, engage with investors effectively, and set themselves up for future growth.

Community

• The AlphaLab accelerator is more than just a program, it's a thriving community that surrounds you with support, resources, and connections to fuel your success. With a vast alumni network of founders who’ve been in founders' shoes, an extensive mentor network of industry leaders, and strong local ties, the Pittsburgh community ensures that founders are never alone on their journey. AlphaLab's in-person programming strengthens these connections, creating opportunities for invaluable peer learning, mentorship, and local partnerships that last well beyond the program.

In the past, the collective AlphaLab has hosted a Demo Day to showcase the latest technology produced by their startup cohorts.^[4]

AlphaLab Gear

AlphaLab Gear, launched in 2013, is the hardware track of the AlphaLab accelerator, with a specific focus on supporting hardware, internet of things (IoT), and robotics startups.^{[5] [6]} In the past, AlphaLab Gear hosted a yearly hardware startup pitch contest called the Hardware Cup where startups compete for $50,000 in investment.^{[7] [8]}

AlphaLab Health

Launched in 2022, AlphaLab Health, is the healthcare and life sciences track of the AlphaLab accelerator.^[9] It was billed as a collaboration between their parent company Innovation Works and regional hospital network Allegheny Health Network as a way to streamline medical device prototypes.^[10]

Alumni companies

• Identified Technologies, a drone mapping company.^[11]
• NoWait, a restaurant booking company, acquired by Yelp for $40 million.^[12]
• Spoken, a software company that develops an augmentative and alternative communication app.^[13]
• The Zebra, an insurance company.^[14]

See also

• Startup accelerator

External links

• AlphaLab
• AlphaLab Gear
• AlphaLab Health

Notes and References

1. Web site: Innovation Works chief operating officer to depart after 20 years with startup investment firm. Doughty. Nate. February 23, 2023. American City Business Journals. March 20, 2023.
2. Web site: Start-up accelerator AlphaLab nurtures the city's tech talent. Murray. Sarah. July 30, 2018. Financial Times. March 20, 2023.
3. Web site: Works . Innovation . 2020-09-24 . Launching AlphaLab Health! . 2024-03-24 . Startups & Investment . en.
4. Web site: Getting Started with Startups: A Peek at Alphalab Demo Day. Trizzino. Eddie. May 24, 2017. Pittsburgh Magazine. March 20, 2023.
5. Web site: 9 Hot Startup Accelerators. Alsever. Jennifer. January 16, 2018. CNN. March 20, 2023.
6. Web site: AlphaLab Gear picks 1st class. Nixon. Alex. November 19, 2013. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. March 20, 2023.
7. Web site: Recap: Hardware Cup Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition. Conner. Foo. Foo Conner. February 7, 2018. Jekko. March 20, 2023.
8. Web site: Pittsburgh-based Yodel Labs wins AlphaLab Gear Hardware Cup. Guggenheimer. Paul. May 17, 2019. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. March 20, 2023.
9. Web site: AlphaLab Health's 7 inaugural startups ready for prime time. Bailey. Tia. June 10, 2021. NEXTPittsburgh. March 20, 2023.
10. Web site: Take a look at AlphaLab Health's new lab and startup coworking space. Burkholder. Sophie. Feb 17, 2022. Technical.ly. March 20, 2023.
11. Web site: This Startup Uses Self-Flying Drones To Map And Manage Construction sites. Mitchell. Julian. Sep 27, 2016. Forbes. March 20, 2023.
12. Web site: Yelp picks up restaurant waitlist app Nowait for $40 million. Perez. Sarah. March 1, 2017. TechCrunch. March 20, 2023.
13. Web site: Igniting Innovation at AlphaLab Health . Highmark Health . 2 February 2024.
14. Web site: Insurance Zebra raises $1.5 million and moves headquarters from Pittsburgh to Austin. Hawkins. Lori. February 1, 2013. Austin American-Statesman. March 20, 2023.