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Aaron Tainter

Investor

Director of Accelerator Programs at Innovation Works · Adjunct Instructor at Carnegie Mellon University · Director of Accelerators at Robotics Factory

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Writes $100K – $150K checks · typically $125K

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You →Brandon · together at Chatham University (2017) →Aaron

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You →Jamie · 11 people · together at Innovation Works →Aaron

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About

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.

Director of Accelerators at Robotics Factory

Intro paths

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In turn, Aaron can intro founders to Robotics Factory's investors below.

Robotics Factory's investors · 1

Innovation WorksPittsburgh · $100K – $300K checks

Experience

  1. Carnegie Mellon UniversityAdjunct Instructorcurrent2024 — presentPittsburgh, PA
  2. Innovation WorksDirector of Accelerator Programscurrent2023 — present
  3. Innovation WorksPortfolio Executive, AlphaLab2023
  4. Innovation WorksSenior Manager, AlphaLab and Portfolio2022 — 2023Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
  5. Innovation WorksSenior Program Manager, Software and AlphaLab2018 — 2022
  6. Innovation WorksProgram Manager at AlphaLab2014 — 2018Greater Pittsburgh Area
  7. Chatham UniversityAdjunct Professor2015 — 2018Greater Pittsburgh Area
  8. Bristol-Myers SquibbSenior Manager - Continuous Improvement & Metrics2012 — 2014Princeton, NJ
  9. Bristol-Myers SquibbResearch & Development Strategic Operations MBA Summer Intern2011Princeton, New Jersey
  10. Meakem Becker Venture CapitalAssociate2006 — 2010
  11. Meakem Becker Venture CapitalAnalyst2005 — 2006

Skills & more

Strategic Consulting2Board of Directors2

From Aaron's professional profile.

Colleagues at Innovation Works

Andrew Katon
Electromechanical Engineer at Innovation Works
Bob Starzynski
Chief Business Development Officer and Treasurer at Innovation Works
Brian Dougherty
Electrical Prototyping Engineer at Innovation Works
Candice Lutz
Accountant at Innovation Works
Carl Daley
Board Member at Innovation Works
Cindy Franc
Program Assistant – Startable, Communications and Human Resources at Innovation Works
David K. Roger
Board Member at Innovation Works
Deborah Walker
Senior Legal Counsel at Innovation Works

Frequently asked questions

Who is Aaron Tainter?
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.
Where does Aaron Tainter work?
Aaron Tainter is Director of Accelerator Programs at Innovation Works and Director of Accelerators at Robotics Factory.
What check size does Aaron Tainter write?
Aaron Tainter typically writes checks of $100K – $150K.
Where did Aaron Tainter go to school?
Aaron Tainter studied at Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business (MBA, Strategy, Marketing); Eastern University (BS, Business Management, Marketing).

Same school

Shared employers