How many investments has Innovation Works made?

Innovation Works has 43 tracked investments, 3 of which have exited, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.

What stage does Innovation Works invest at?

Innovation Works invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.

What is Innovation Works's typical check size?

Innovation Works typically writes checks of $100K – $300K.

Where is Innovation Works located?

Innovation Works is headquartered in Pittsburgh, US.

Who does Innovation Works co-invest with?

Innovation Works most often shares deals with Coatue Management, Gener8tor, Hustle Fund, among 24 tracked co-investors.

Innovation Works

Acceleratoroperating company · company profile

Runs1 fund brandRiverfront Ventures, LLC

Pittsburgh · Pre-Seed–Seed · 44 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Innovation Works focuses on nurturing the tech ecosystem in Southwestern Pennsylvania, supporting early-stage entrepreneurs with a continuum of resources tailored to each startup's stage. Its programming spans youth initiatives, one of the country's top accelerators, and grants that help manufacturing startups scale. The organization pairs capital with mentorship and operational support led by experienced entrepreneurs, aiming to help founders go further faster and to strengthen the regional innovation economy.

Invests inAdvanced Manufacturing Biotech Consumer Data & Infrastructure Enterprise Software Hardware Medical Devices Robotics SaaSSector AgnosticPittsburgh United States

Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.

Leave your own feedback

Stage

Pre-Seed–Seed

Check

$100K – $300K

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

Instruments

Equity · Grants

Founded

1988

Last 12 months

1 investment

Portfolio companies

Unicorns

IPOs

Acquisitions

Team · 44 people

from the firm's website & curated & public directories

Ven Raju· President & CEO· United Statesin

President and CEO of InnovationWorks, the Southwestern PA regional office of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, based in Pittsburgh.

vraju@innovationworks.org

Kevin Dowling· Managing Director, Robotics & Hardware· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Holds a PhD and leads the Robotics Factory and hardware programs.

Steve Welles· Managing Director, Software· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Jeanne Iasella· Managing Director, Life Sciences· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

jiasella@innovationworks.org

Aaron Tainter· Director of Accelerator Programs· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniain 𝕏

Aaron Tainter serves as Director of Accelerator Programs at Innovation Works, where he oversees AlphaLab, a four-track accelerator program supporting early-stage startups in software, hardware, life sciences, and robotics. With nearly 20 years of experience in venture capital and innovation strategy, he manages seed-stage investments, portfolio company support, and founder recruitment while teaching startup funding and venture capital at Carnegie Mellon University as an adjunct instructor. AlphaLab portfolio companies have raised over $1.3 billion in follow-on capital and achieved more than 20 successful exits.

Andrew Katon· Electromechanical Engineer· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Andrew Katon is an electromechanical engineer at Innovation Works with experience in robotics, AI hardware, and manufacturing commercialization. He has advised hardware startups on commercialization strategy and capital formation, contributed to company growth exceeding $25M, and holds multiple patents in additive manufacturing technologies. Previously, he founded Cobbler Technologies to develop novel additive manufacturing applications and played a key role in scaling Ellison Surface Technologies from $35M to $200M in revenue prior to its acquisition.

Bob Starzynski· Chief Business Development Officer and Treasurer

Brian Dougherty· Electrical Prototyping Engineer· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Brian Dougherty is an Electrical Prototyping Engineer at Innovation Works with experience in robotics, camera systems, and LED lighting. His work includes projects spanning camera SDK development, LED installations, sonar tracking systems, and various robotic platforms.

Candice Lutz· Accountant· McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Carl Daley· Board Member

EVP, CFO and Treasurer at Highmark Health.

Cindy Franc· Program Assistant – Startable, Communications and Human Resources· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

David K. Roger· Board Member

President of Hillman Family Foundations.

Deborah Walker· Senior Legal Counsel· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Dwayne Tabb· Content Creator/ Communications Coordinator· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Listed as a co-author of this Innovation Works article.

Gretchen Weaver· Director of Marketing· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Listed as a co-author of this Innovation Works article.

Ian Goeke· Salesforce Administratorin

Jane K. Joseph· Director of Communications & Community Development· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Jane K. Joseph serves as Director of Communications and Community Development at Innovation Works. She has over a decade of experience in communications and stakeholder strategy across the technology, public service, and civic engagement sectors. Her work focuses on communications planning, community engagement, and organizational visibility for mission-driven organizations.

jjoseph@innovationworks.org

Jimmy Williams Jr.· Board Member

PhD; Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer at ATI.

Joshua Sellers· Program Marketing Manager· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Joshua Sellers is a Marketing Program Manager at Innovation Works with over 8 years of experience in B2B and B2C marketing within the technology sector. He has developed and executed go-to-market strategies, managed digital and event-based campaigns, and led cross-functional teams. His work has focused on demand generation, brand positioning, and content development to support lead generation and business growth objectives.

Karla Karanza· Controller· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Karla Karanza is Controller at Innovation Works and holds an MBA in Finance. Her experience spans financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, and operational management across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, including ERP transitions from NetSuite to Business Central. She works with tools such as Excel and Power BI to support financial analysis and reporting.

Kelley Benson· Vice President, Human Resources & Inclusion· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Kelley Benson is Vice President of Human Resources & Inclusion at Innovation Works. With experience across talent acquisition, workforce planning, organizational development, and operational excellence in professional services and nonprofit sectors, Benson has led teams through organizational change and developed people strategies in areas including total rewards, performance management, learning and development, and succession planning. Her expertise spans talent management, inclusive culture initiatives, change management, and HR technology implementation.

Kelly Englert· Grant Writer· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Kelsie LaBarbera· Program Manager· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Kelsie LaBarbera is a Program Manager at AlphaLab Health, part of Innovation Works in Pittsburgh. She works with health-focused founders on strategy, execution, and growth, drawing on experience in life sciences and startup development.

Kirk Botula· Chief Strategy Operations Officer· United Statesin

Kirk Botula is Chief Strategy Operations Officer at Innovation Works. He previously served as CEO of Total Bank Solutions, a fintech firm managing $100B in assets, which he led through a merger with Reich & Tang backed by Estancia Capital Partners, and as CEO of CMMI Institute, where he oversaw the Carnegie Mellon spinout, restructured a DoD-funded research program, and executed its acquisition by ISACA. Earlier, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Confluence, a fintech company serving investment management that achieved 70% market share in North America before its exit to Polaris Ventures.

Kristen Bucci· Executive Assistant/Office Manager· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Lauren DeDomenic· Partner Engagement Manager· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Lauren DeDomenic is Partner Engagement Manager at Innovation Works, where she recruits early-stage startups from Pittsburgh and surrounding rural communities into the organization's programs and investment opportunities. She leads the design and delivery of Innovation Works' flagship programs, including UpPrize, AI/Robotics Venture Day, and AlphaLab Demo Day, while overseeing the organization's rural engagement strategy. Previously, she held roles as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Partnerships in the Office of Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and as a Community Affairs Specialist at Highmark Health, focusing on workforce development and social impact initiatives.

Linda Murphy· Office & Facilities Manager· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Luca DeGroot· Robotics Technician· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Luca DeGroot is a robotics technician and shop operations manager at Innovation Works in Pittsburgh, PA. He works as a machinist and roboticist.

Matt Verlinich· Senior Program Manager, Manufacturing Program· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Matt Verlinich is a PMP-certified Senior Program Manager at Innovation Works who leads manufacturing programs supporting hardware startups through product development and scaled production. He manages a prototyping laboratory with over $1 million in resources and oversees a technical team serving more than 50 companies, connecting them with Pennsylvania-based manufacturers to advance commercialization efforts. His background includes experience in facility launch, team building, and guiding hardware companies from concept through manufacturing scale-up.

Milan Minott· Accelerator Operations Lead· New York, New York, United Statesin

Peggy McAdams· Accounting Managerin

Rob A. Rutenbar· Board Member

Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and professor of computer science and electrical & computer engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

Ron Bianchini· Board Member

Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft; former founder and CEO of NetApp (acquired by FORE Systems) and Avere Systems (acquired by Microsoft).

Sara Longo· Program Manager· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Sara Longo is a Senior Program Manager at AlphaLab, Innovation Works, with over 12 years of experience in program and product development, operations, and strategic planning across AI, robotics, consumer products, EdTech, and FinTech sectors. She holds PMP certification and Six Sigma Black Belt credentials. Longo has served as an advisor and board member for startups ranging from 10 to 120 employees and has contributed to over $12 million in funding and partnerships with Fortune 500 companies.

Shelly Brown· Startable Program Manager· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Shelly Brown is a Program Manager at Startable within Innovation Works, where she has worked for over four years on youth-focused programming in Pittsburgh. Her background includes more than six years as an Academic Counselor at Penn State University and experience in grant writing, educational outreach, and nonprofit board leadership.

Stephen C. Chen· Board Member

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Duolingo, Inc.

Steven Reis· Board Member· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

MD; Vice Chancellor for Multidisciplinary Innovations in Health Sciences and Director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Theresa Mayer· Board Member

Vice President for Research at Carnegie Mellon University.

Tom Jones· Board Chair

Board Chair and COO of CapSen Robotics, Inc.

Tony Garcia· Manufacturing Program Associate· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Tony Garcia is a Manufacturing Program Associate at Innovation Works with over six years of experience in electro-mechanical design, rapid prototyping, and scalable manufacturing. His background includes cross-functional work to support business objectives beyond his primary role.

Victoria Ewing· Director of Business Development· Greater Pittsburgh Regionin

Victoria Ewing is Director of Business Development at Innovation Works, where she focuses on fostering connections among industry, academic, and government stakeholders. Her work involves identifying gaps and opportunities across sectors to facilitate resource sharing and expand collaborative networks.

Sophie Burkholder· Investment Associate· Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United Statesin

Sophie Burkholder is a Senior Investment Associate at Innovation Works, where she focuses on early-stage investments in AI, SaaS, and deep tech companies. Her work spans strategy and operations analysis, with particular emphasis on go-to-market assessment and early-stage business model evaluation.

sburkholder@innovationworks.org

Kuoloon Chong· Board member (including Executive Committee and Investment Approval Committee)· Singaporein

Kuoloon Chong is co-founder of Omaru, an AI product being prepared for private alpha that converts a person's skills into a sellable service business. Over the past year he built Akarii, an AI teammate with cloud code sandboxes and filesystem memory, and carbon, a minimal agent harness. He previously spent three years leading product design at Genopets, where he shipped production work in React, Three.js, and GLSL, with side projects recognized by Awwwards, FWA, and the GSAP Showcase.

Dave Lishego

Founder mafia

5 people who came through Innovation Works went on to found or lead other companies.

Sean GengSoftware EngineerFounded B3OS Private +1 Ven RajuPresident & CEOFounded Innovation Works Ilana DiamondManaging Director, Hardware & AlphaLab GearFounded Metis Secure Solutions Rich LunakPresidentFounded Innovation Works Sarika BajajStartable Entrepreneurship Cohort MentorFounded Refiberd

What they invest in

from 30 of 43 portfolio companies

Healthtech ×10Enterprise Software ×9SaaS ×8Consumer ×6AI & Machine Learning ×5Medical Devices ×5Biotech ×4Data & Infrastructure ×4

HQs:United States×31China×1

Portfolio companies · 43 tracked

alumni founders can tell you what the program is really like

By year:2026 · 1 2024 · 1 2023 · 8 2022 · 2 2021 · 4 2017 · 3 2016 · 1 2015 · 1 2014 · 6 2013 · 1 2012 · 230 dated

Zhihu (知乎)zhihu.comNYSE: ZH

Zhou Yuan(Founder)

Co-investorsAccess Technology Ventures Blue Lake Capital PreAngel Partners Qiming Venture Partners XVC Venture Capital HongShan Capital Group

Duo Oncologyduooncology.com in 𝕏Feb 2021✓ verified

Duo Oncology is a clinical-stage company developing tumor-activated prodrug combinations intended to replace toxic multi-agent chemotherapy with single medicines that concentrate activity in tumors.

BiotechHealthtechPittsburgh, US

SONG LI(Director, Promoter)JING-ZHOU HOU(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Sam Rothstein(CEO & Cofounder)inKatherine Eichinger(Chief Operating Officer)STEPHEN THORNE(Executive Officer, Promoter)in

BoardJOE GATTO(Director)in

Co-investorsUlu Ventures NuFund Venture Group

Exchangelodgeexchangelodge.com in 𝕏✓ verified

Exchangelodge automates data workflows for private markets investors and fund managers, integrating systems and cleansing data to support critical decision-making for GPs, LPs, and service providers.

Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSPittsburgh, US

Ian Rubenstein(CEO)in

Co-investorsBeresford Ventures

Plexision, Inc.plexision.com in 𝕏✓ verified

Plexision develops cellular biomarker-based blood tests for personalized diagnostics and drug development in infectious diseases, transplant rejection, and immuno-oncology.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthMedical DevicesPittsburgh, US

Rakesh Sindhi(Co-founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Executive Officer)

Co-investorsRichard King Mellon Foundation

Qbb6qbb6.com✓ verified

Qinbaobao is an AI-powered platform serving families with parenting and childcare guidance, offering a mobile app, consumer products, and smart hardware like baby monitors and smart cribs.

ConsumerFoodTechHardwareHealthtechHangzhou, CN

Feng Peihua(Founder)

Co-investorsShunwei Capital

Aethonaethon.com in

Aethon provides autonomous mobile robots and fleet management software for facility operations, offering comprehensive support including installation, maintenance, and 24/7 monitoring for healthcare, logistics, and other enterprise environments.

Enterprise SoftwareHardwareHealthtechLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsPittsburgh, US

Co-investorsAscension Ventures Bosch Ventures Draper Triangle

AlphaLabalphalab.org in 𝕏Oct 2012 · $2.1M

AlphaLab is an accelerator program based in Pittsburgh that supports high-growth startups across software, hardware, life sciences, and robotics through mentorship, resources, and investor connections.

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHardwarePittsburgh, US

Co-investorsBirchmere Ventures Ff Venture Capital Rincon Venture Partners

Calendlycalendly.com in 𝕏

Calendly is a scheduling platform that integrates with Microsoft Teams to automatically generate and include Teams video conferencing links in calendar events.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaS

Tope Awotona(Founder)in

Co-investorsAlumni Ventures Atlanta Tech Village Basecamp Fund Coatue Management CVX Ventures EHA Impact Ventures +20 more

CarWoocarwoo.comApr 2013 · $850KDefunct

CarWoo connects car buyers with multiple dealerships to compare offers and purchase new vehicles.

ConsumerMarketplacesMobility & TransportationSan Francisco, US

Tommy McClung(CEO)in Michael Young(Software Engineer)in Erik Landerholm(Founder)in

Co-investorsY Combinator

Civic Champscivicchamps.com in 𝕏Jun 2022

Civic Champs provides web and mobile platforms for nonprofits to automate volunteer management and convert volunteers into donors.

Impact & Social GoodSaaSBloomington, US

Geng Wang(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in

Co-investorsElevate Ventures IU Ventures Techstars Flywheel Fund

Concordare Trialsconcordaretrials.com inAug 2026

Concordare provides infrastructure for clinical research by extracting trial information into a standardized protocol model and automatically generating downstream deliverables for coordinators, eliminating manual documentation work across systems.

Digital HealthEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSNew York City, US

Zach S.(Founder)in

Co-investorsTechstars Gaingels Surface Ventures

D.Soled-sole.com inPre-Seed · Dec 2023 · $100K

D-Sole makes a sensor-equipped insole, mobile app, and clinician dashboard for early warning and monitoring of foot complications caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesPittsburgh, US

Co-investorsTechstars

Encentiv Energyencentivenergy.com in 𝕏Sep 2016

Encentiv Energy provides access to energy efficiency incentives and tracks energy efficiency transactions to help individuals and organizations reduce energy consumption and support decarbonization goals.

CleantechClimate TechEnergySaaSPittsburgh, US

Stephen D. Moritz(President & CEO)in

Board Sean Sebastian(Director)in

Co-investorsBirchmere Ventures BlueTree Venture Fund

Framed Dataframed.io inDec 2014 · $2MAcquired

Framed Data offers machine learning software that identifies customer churn patterns and reasons for user attrition, serving enterprises that want predictive analytics capabilities without hiring specialized staff.

Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Thomson Nguyen(CEO)inElliot Block(CTO)in

Co-investorsNYU Innovation Venture Fund Y Combinator Agrolimen Ventures Fundamental Ventures GV (Google Ventures)Initialized Capital +1 more

Govendagovenda.com inSep 2017

Govenda provides board management software for governance teams, including board professionals, administrators, directors, and CEOs.

AI & Machine LearningGovTechSaaS

Co-investorsAspira Capital Growth Street Partners

Honeycomb Credithoneycombcredit.com in 𝕏Seed · Mar 2021 · $2M

Honeycomb Credit runs an investment crowdfunding platform where individuals can invest in local small businesses, such as breweries, restaurants, and shops, in exchange for potential returns.

FintechImpact & Social GoodMarketplacesPittsburgh, US

George Cook(Co-founder & CEO)inKen Martin(Founder)inMathias Jamora(CFO)inChristian Bilger(Executive Officer)Edward Engler(Director)

Co-investorsAmerican Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact Citta Capital Delaware Crossing Investor Group Mudita Venture SustainVC Symphonic Capital +2 more

Ilant Healthilanthealth.com inPre-Seed · Dec 2023 · $100K

Ilant Health provides value-based care for obesity and cardiometabolic disease, combining anti-obesity medications, bariatric procedures, behavioral change, and support from clinicians, dietitians, care navigators, and mental health professionals.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechWellness & FitnessClaymont, US

Elina Onitskansky(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in

BoardAryeh Ganz(Director)Matthew Klitus(Director)

Co-investorsCeltic House Asia Partners City Light Cornucopian Capital Management LifeX Ventures naturalX Health Ventures PeakBridge VC

Kamcordkamcord.comMay 2014 · $7.1MAcquired

Kamcord.com is a content platform providing advice and insights across technology, productivity, lifestyle, and health topics for general audiences seeking practical solutions and optimization tips.

ConsumerGamingMedia & EntertainmentSan Francisco, US

Adi Rathnam(CEO)inMatt Zitzmann(CEO)in Kevin Wang(Founder)inADITYA RATHNAM(Director)

Board ERIC HSIA(Director)in

Co-investorsDG Ventures, Inc.GV (Google Ventures)Merus Capital TransLink Capital XG Ventures Y Combinator +12 more

Kloopifykloopify.comFeb 2023 · $1.5M

Kloopify provides SKU-level cost intelligence and analytics for supply chain procurement, helping enterprises understand cost drivers across materials, labor, energy, tariffs, and other inputs to negotiate with suppliers and model supply chain volatility.

Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply Chain

Co-investorsBlack Tech Nation Ventures Hypothesis True Wealth Ventures

Kodablekodable.com 𝕏

Kodable is a K–5 STEM education platform that teaches kids digital literacy, typing, and coding through play-based games and self-guided lessons.

EdTechGaming

Jon Mattingly(Founder)in

Co-investors500 Global Imagine K12

Magnify Biosciencesmagnifybiosci.comPre-Seed · Dec 2023 · $100K

Magnify Biosciences develops expansion microscopy tools and services, including the Magnify Kit with a proprietary hydrogel chemistry, that let researchers and labs perform super-resolution nanoscale imaging without extensive method development.

BiotechDeep TechMedical Devices

MetasTx LLCmetastx.comPre-Seed · Dec 2023 · $100K

MetasTx is a precision oncology company developing a companion diagnostic to identify prostate cancer patients at high risk of metastasis, paired with next-generation cKit (KIT) inhibitor therapies to block cancer spread and drug resistance.

BiotechDeep TechHealthtech

Harvey D. Homan(Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder)Somanath Shenoy(Co-Founder & Translational Science Lead)David Crich(Head of Chemistry)Jackson (Jay) B. Gibbs(Chief Science Officer)Jonathan Chernoff(Board of Managers)Brian Cain(Board Member & Strategic Growth Advisor)

Meter Feedermeterfeeder.com in 𝕏Seed · Apr 2022 · $2.6M

Meter Feeder enables autonomous vehicles to conduct machine-to-machine transactions with municipal parking systems for meter payments, eliminating the need for human intervention or illegal parking.

FintechIoTMobility & TransportationPittsburgh, US

Jim Gibbs(CEO)inDaniel Lopretto(CTO)inWarner Macklin(Director)

Co-investorsAutomotive Ventures Mobility Mountain State Capital Ossian Capital Trucks VC Y Combinator ACVC Partners +5 more

Metis Secure Solutions inFeb 2012

Oakmont, US

Mark Kurtzrock(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardTerrence Mullett(Director)William Hunt(Director)Ilana Diamond(Director)in

NetBeeznetbeez.net in 𝕏Seed · Jul 2015

NetBeez provides digital experience monitoring and real-time network performance visibility for IT teams, enabling them to troubleshoot ISP outages, SaaS issues, and Wi-Fi problems across remote work environments and cloud applications.

Cloud ComputingData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSPittsburgh, US

Stefano Gridelli(CEO)in Panickos Neophytou(CTO)in Panos Vouzis(Founder)inPanayiotis Neophytou(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

Co-investorsPartech Ventures Y Combinator Agrolimen Ventures Carnegie Mellon University

Rimsysrimsys.io in 𝕏Dec 2021 · $16M

Rimsys provides regulatory information management software that centralizes product registrations, submissions, compliance tracking, and change management for medical device manufacturers operating globally.

Enterprise SoftwareHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSPittsburgh, US

Brad Ryba(CSO and Co-Founder)in James Gianoutsos(Founder and CEO)in

Board Andrew Hedin(Director)in John McIlwraith(Director)inEric Boduch(Director)in

Co-investorsAllos Ventures Bessemer Venture Partners Riverfront Ventures, LLC

Robotics Factoryroboticsfactory.org in

The Robotics Factory supports the development of robotics startups in Southwestern Pennsylvania by providing workforce development, resources, and funding through Create, Accelerate, and Scale programs that connect emerging companies to regional manufacturing capabilities.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareRoboticsPittsburgh, US

Kevin Dowling(Managing Director of the Robotics Factory and Hardware)in

Board Aaron Tainter(Director of Accelerators)in

Scaled Inferencescaledinference.com inOct 2014

Scaled Inference reviews and evaluates artificial intelligence marketing tools for businesses, offering practical implementation guides and recommendations on which AI solutions to adopt.

AI & Machine LearningConsumerMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentWellness & FitnessPalo Alto, US

Dmitry Lepikhin(Director)in Olcan Sercinoglu(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investorsDCVC (Data Collective)Khosla Ventures Lux Capital SV Angel

Subtl Beautysubtlbeauty.com inDec 2023 · $5.5M

Subtl Beauty sells customizable, compact makeup "staks" that combine a full-face routine — including BB powder, concealer, bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, and lip products — into a single portable compact.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commercePittsburgh, US

Rachel Reid(Chief Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsRevUp Capital Cult Capital

Villievillie.co inPre-Seed · Mar 2024 · $700K

Villie provides a shareable web page that lets expecting and new parents coordinate support from their community, including requests for gifts, donations, and help with tasks, plus features like multiple baby registries, group updates, and a gender reveal game.

ConsumerFemTechSocial

Melissa Antal Iftimie(Founder)in

Co-investorsStone Mountain Ventures XRC Fearless Fund

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

AdrichAgentaseBoardBookit Element Exo Hireku Kextil Ottomatika ReGear Life Sciences Resilient LifescienceScalable grantsShowClix SpinnTesta-Seat

Exits · 3

1 IPOs · 2 acquisitions · showing 1

Zhihu (知乎)NYSE: ZH

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Calendly - Wikipedia

Calendly · en.wikipedia.org · Aug 26, 2026

Ilant Health Raises $15M in Series A Funding

Ilant Health · finsmes.com · Jun 2, 2026

AlphaLab Selects 20 Startups for 2026 Cohort Embedding Intelligence Into Industry

AlphaLab · finance.yahoo.com · Feb 10, 2026

IPO stake values · per SEC filings

Value of this firm's stake in each portfolio company at its IPO price, from the prospectus principal-stockholder table.

Company	Owned	IPO price	At IPO	Stake value
Zhihu (知乎)	11.2%	$9.50	Mar 2021	$299.5M

Source: SEC S-1 / 424B prospectus filings. Stake value = shares beneficially owned × the initial public offering price, as disclosed — a market value at IPO, not a return multiple (the firm's original cost is not disclosed).

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Innovation Works made?: Innovation Works has 43 tracked investments, 3 of which have exited, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Innovation Works invest at?: Innovation Works invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What is Innovation Works's typical check size?: Innovation Works typically writes checks of $100K – $300K.
What sectors does Innovation Works focus on?: Innovation Works focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Biotech, Consumer, Data & Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Hardware, Medical Devices, Robotics, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Innovation Works located?: Innovation Works is headquartered in Pittsburgh, US.
Who does Innovation Works co-invest with?: Innovation Works most often shares deals with Coatue Management, Gener8tor, Hustle Fund, among 24 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Founders on Fire with Ven Raju, CEO of Innovation Works

Tech Trailblazers Startup Podcast · Ven Raju

Images

Co-investors · 21

Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs across enterprise, consumer, and healthcare sectors from early stages through growth.

Both backed · 1

Rimsys

$50K – $100M

Amazon Alexa Fund

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon's Seattle-based cloud computing division, offering more than 240 cloud and AI services to customers ranging from startups to large enterprises. Its infrastructure spans over 120 availability zones across dozens of geographic regions worldwide. It is a technology provider rather than an investment firm.

Both backed · 1

Spinn

Riverfront Ventures, LLC

Riverfront Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund based in Pittsburgh that invests in early-growth stage technology companies, serving as the venture capital arm of Innovation Works.

Both backed · 1

Rimsys

$250K – $1M

Anzu Partners

Anzu Partners is an investment firm backing breakthrough clean tech, industrial, and life science technologies, working alongside founders through a team of investors, operators, scientists, and engineers.

Both backed · 1

Spinn

Volition Capital

Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm that invests in and partners with founders to build enduring, high-growth software and technology companies.

Both backed · 1

Hireku

$10M – $100M

Allos Ventures

Allos Ventures is a Midwest-focused venture capital firm that invests in early-stage B2B software and tech-enabled services companies, drawing on decades of experience to take a hands-on approach.

Both backed · 1

Rimsys

$1M – $6M

Rincon Venture Partners

Both backed · 1

AlphaLab

Draper Triangle

Draper Triangle is a Midwest-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, part of the global Draper Venture Network.

Both backed · 1

Aethon

$250K – $2M

3 Points Rising Ventures

3 Points Rising is an advisory and investment firm that uses proprietary business analytics developed from 40+ years of experience to help growth-stage companies identify blind spots, derisk operations, and optimize for long-term success.

Both backed · 1

Honeycomb Credit

Crosslink Capital

Crosslink Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in San Francisco that partners with founders building category-defining enterprise and consumer technology companies.

$1M – $9M

Pareto Holdings

Pareto Holdings is an early-stage investment and company-building firm headquartered in the United States that operates globally. It has never raised outside capital and is self-funded by design.

$100K – $5M

TSVC

TSV Capital (TSVC), formerly TEEC Angel Fund, is a Silicon Valley seed-stage venture firm that backs technical founders at the earliest stages, having invested in over 200 early-stage companies.

$1M

▶9 more co-investors

Scribble Ventures Pfizer Venture Investments LvlUp Ventures Osney Capital Avoro Capital Advisors Quake Capital Monozukuri Ventures SeaX Ventures Great North Ventures

Firms observed investing alongside Innovation Works, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Innovation Works's recorded portfolio.

Funds & brands

Riverfront Ventures, LLCInnovation Works’ fund

Separately branded funds and arms of Innovation Works. Each has its own page; people who work on a brand are listed on both.

Similar investors

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The E14 Fund

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$1M – $5M

Innovobot

Innovobot is an investment and innovation platform combining an early-stage deep tech venture fund (Innovobot Resonance Ventures) and an innovation studio (Innovobot Labs), focused on technologies addressing social, industrial and environmental challenges.

$182.5K – $365K

Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund

The Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund is a not-for-profit initiative of Alibaba Group that provides investment capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs and young people, focusing on Hong Kong and Taiwan-nexus startups.