AlphaLab Accelerator
Funds Pittsburgh startups through accelerator tranches that combine milestone-based investment and modest equity participation.
AlphaLab is the flagship accelerator operated by Innovation Works, a Ben Franklin Technology Partners member organization serving southwestern Pennsylvania since 1988. The program runs four parallel tracks — Software (launched 2008), Gear for hardware companies (launched 2013), Health for life sciences ventures with clinical partnerships (launched 2020), and Robotics via the Robotics Factory Accel…
Pittsburgh-based accelerator providing $100,000 via uncapped SAFE plus 3% equity to early-stage tech startups across software, hardware, health, and robotics tracks.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Guides for this application
All guides →Grants for Biotech Startups: NIH, NSF, SBIR/STTR, and Non-Dilutive Funding
A practical guide to grants for biotech startups, including NIH SBIR/STTR, NSF, translational funding, evidence, regulatory readiness, and budgets.
Where to applyGrants for Robotics Startups: SBIR, Defense, NSF, and Pilot Funding
A practical guide to grants for robotics startups, including SBIR/STTR, NSF, DoD, NASA, field validation, TRL, pilot evidence, budgets, and commercialization strategy.
Start hereNon-Dilutive Funding vs VC for Deeptech Startups
Compare non-dilutive funding and venture capital for deeptech startups, including grants, SBIR/STTR, EIC Accelerator, dilution, timing, and stage fit.
BudgetGrant Budget Template for R&D Applications
Use this grant budget template to structure R&D costs, personnel, subcontractors, equipment, indirect costs, and budget justification for startup grant applications.
More from Innovation Works
All grants from this funder →Innovation Adoption Grant
🇺🇸Innovation Works · United States
Supports Southwestern Pennsylvania manufacturing firms adopting advanced technologies through practical adoption reimbursement.
Innovation Works Seed Fund
🇺🇸Innovation Works · United States
Funds early-stage southwestern Pennsylvania technology startups with staged equity investments and follow-on capital options.
Scalable Grant
🇺🇸Innovation Works · United States
Supports Pennsylvania manufacturers scaling production with local partners through cost reimbursement.
The Robotics Factory
🇺🇸Innovation Works · United States
Supports Pittsburgh robotics startups through staged acceleration, prototype-to-production training, and investor-oriented growth tracks.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →
Conquer Accelerator
🇺🇸MSU · United States
Supports Michigan-connected startups through a full acceleration program with mentorship and milestone funding.
VVP Launch Note
🇺🇸VIPC · United States
Offers Virginia startups a VVP Launch Note to convert into equity during later financing rounds.
Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator (Main Cohort)
🇺🇸SkyDeck · United States
Invests equity in selected high-potential startups through Berkeley SkyDeck's main accelerator, providing ownership-based startup capital.
Elevate Ventures — Equity Investment Programs
🇺🇸IEDC / Elevate Ventures · United States
Funds Indiana high-growth technology startups through state-backed equity across pre-seed, seed, and growth rounds.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Challenge Grant — Investment
🇺🇸PA DCED · United States
Invests in Pennsylvania technology companies through regional partners, using convertible capital structures for growth prototyping.
GrowKS Equity Program
🇺🇸KDoC / NetWork Kansas · United States
Offers growth-oriented equity co-investment for promising Kansas ventures advancing expansion plans.