Robotics Factory: Accelerate 2025

Program Type: In-person
Location: Pittsburgh, US
Investment: $100,000
Equity Taken: 2%
Program Fee: $0 cost
Program Duration: 12 months (52 weeks)
Stage: Pre-seed
Industry of Focus: Robotics

Key Highlights

This is an in-person accelerator based in Pittsburgh, and will only support companies based in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We cannot accept any companies into this program that are not based in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Program Overview

The Robotics Factory: Accelerate 2025 program, sponsored by Innovation Works and supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), empowers robotics startups in Pittsburgh. Selected pre-seed companies receive up to $100,000 in funding, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art facilities to advance their growth. The program is part of a broader initiative to develop a globally prominent robotics ecosystem in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Investment Details

Selected startups receive up to $100,000 in funding through a convertible note loan with 2% equity taken.

Benefits Details and Perks/Credits

• 1:1 Mentorship with seasoned startup leaders via the Pittsburgh Robotics Network
• 12 months of office space at the Robotics Factory in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
• Access to an expansive prototyping workshop and robotics testing shop
• Product development resources including manufacturing bootcamp, product design reviews, and manufacturing toolkit templates
• One-on-one manufacturing office hours
• 1:1 Business coaching with the Innovation Works program team

Program Format

In-person program with tailored mentorship and resources, including regular engagement with a dedicated team of experts.

Location or Relocation Requirements

Startups must have a significant presence in Southwestern Pennsylvania for the duration of the program and for five years following the program.

Cohort Size and Program Frequency

Up to six pre-seed companies per cohort.

Requirements Related to Users, Revenue, or LOIs:
Companies can be pre-revenue but must have completed customer discovery and be actively listening to potential customers.

Post-Program Engagement

Significant presence in Southwestern Pennsylvania for five years following the program.

Company Types Requirements

Startups must be involved in robotics technology that will "sense, perceive, act."

Founding Team Preferences

No specific preferences mentioned.URLs scaraping status:[{"status": "success", "url": "https://www.roboticsfactory.org/accelerate"}]

$100k loan
in Convertible Note per company

2% equity taken

In person

$0 cost

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 is a division of Innovation Works to create, accelerate, and scale companies in the Pittsburgh region. The programs provide 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.