Where does Aaron Tainter work?

Aaron Tainter is Director of Accelerator Programs at Innovation Works.

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).

Aaron Tainter

Investor

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

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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

Find your path to Aaron

829 people in our graph share verified history with Aaron — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Javier SolterounlockedAaron: together at Carnegie Mellon University

×11Aaron: together at Carnegie Mellon University

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.

Experience

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

Also attended Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business100

Cindy PadnosFounder and Managing Partner at Illuminate Ventures Kevin SilverInvestment Operations Specialist at Golden Seeds MarkInvestor at Yu Galaxy Marco DeMirozGeneral Partner & Co-founder at The Venture Reality Fund Andrew BartusiakSenior Associate at PeakSpan Capital Partners Murli RaviCo-founder and Managing Partner at Tin Men Capital

+ 94 more

Also attended Eastern University5

Sara DolanCFO | MSUFCU at Curql Collective, LLC Katrina LawrenceSenior Trainer and Practice Lead, AI at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst Sierra ElliottProduct Marketing Manager at Black Angel Group Trent GreenFormer CEO at 1Life Healthcare Chrissy HallerFounder at SkinnyDipped

Shared employers

Also worked at Innovation Works33

Ven RajuPresident & CEO at Ben Franklin Technology Partners Sophie BurkholderInvestment Associate at Innovation Works Jeanne IasellaManaging Director of Life Sciences at Innovation Works Matt HarbaughCo-Founder and Managing Director at Mountain State Capital Ilana DiamondManaging Partner at 412 Venture Fund Jane K. JosephDirector of Communications and Community Development at Innovation Works

+ 27 more

Also worked at Chatham University1

Brandon T. WillardDirector at dottxt

Also worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb86

Scott BillerInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Avantika DaingFounding Partner at Plum Alley Investments Jake BauerVenture Partner at ARCH Venture Partners Scott DonohueSenior Director, Market Access at Deerfield Management Company Mellissa GraySenior Scientist, Protein Sciences at Deerfield Management Company Beth SeidenbergFounding Managing Director at Westlake Village BioPartners

+ 80 more