Innovation Works

Established in 1999, Innovation Works is a prominent investor in Southwestern Pennsylvania's technology sector. It provides capital and resources to early-stage companies with high growth potential and significant regional impact, particularly focusing on robotics, AI, medical devices, retail technologies, and enterprise software.

Sophie Burkholder

Investment Associate

Jeffrey McDaniel

Investor

Ven Raju

Investor

Megan Shaw

Managing Director, Life Sciences

Aaron Tainter

Investor

Past deals in Mechanical Engineering

Arieca

Series A in 2022
Arieca LLC, founded in 2018 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the development and distribution of Thubber, a thermally conductive rubber composite. This innovative material merges the compliance and elasticity of soft silicone rubber with the thermal conductivity of metal, making it suitable for various applications such as circuit wiring, sensors, and passive heat exchangers. Arieca's product addresses heat management challenges in the electronics industry, enhancing performance while ensuring safe interactions between devices and users. By providing an alternative to traditional rubber, Arieca aims to improve the efficiency of electronic components across multiple sectors.

ESTAT Actuation

Seed Round in 2021
ESTAT Actuation is a company founded in 2019 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development of electroadhesive clutches. These innovative clutches are designed to enhance the performance of robots and machinery by reducing the size and cost of actuators. By providing engineers with lightweight and low-power actuation hardware, ESTAT Actuation enables clients to improve the capabilities and affordability of their robotic systems and machines.

ESTAT Actuation

Seed Round in 2021
ESTAT Actuation is a company founded in 2019 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development of electroadhesive clutches. These innovative clutches are designed to enhance the performance of robots and machinery by reducing the size and cost of actuators. By providing engineers with lightweight and low-power actuation hardware, ESTAT Actuation enables clients to improve the capabilities and affordability of their robotic systems and machines.

Interphase Materials

Seed Round in 2020
Interphase Materials, established in 2015 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing advanced surface treatment technologies. The company's primary focus is to enhance the efficiency of industrial cooling systems, serving a diverse range of clients including power plants, commercial and industrial HVAC systems, international heat exchanger manufacturers, and the U.S. Navy. Interphase's signature Heat Transfer Enhancement (HTE) system has demonstrated the potential to increase heat exchanger efficiency by 5-10% in initial tests, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving overall system performance.

Hebi Robotics

Seed Round in 2020
Hebi Robotics designs and supplies robotic technology to accelerate development and customization of robotic systems. The company develops intelligent, connected building blocks and robot kits, including arms, mobile bases, and walking robots, as well as modular sensors that use elastic actuators to control torque, position, and velocity. Its offerings combine hardware and software tools that enable engineers, researchers, and industrial integrators to control actuators at the joint level or as a synchronized system, delivering flexible, reconfigurable solutions that reduce development time and costs.

Arieca

Seed Round in 2020
Arieca LLC, founded in 2018 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the development and distribution of Thubber, a thermally conductive rubber composite. This innovative material merges the compliance and elasticity of soft silicone rubber with the thermal conductivity of metal, making it suitable for various applications such as circuit wiring, sensors, and passive heat exchangers. Arieca's product addresses heat management challenges in the electronics industry, enhancing performance while ensuring safe interactions between devices and users. By providing an alternative to traditional rubber, Arieca aims to improve the efficiency of electronic components across multiple sectors.

RPM Industries

Venture Round in 2019
RPM Industries is a manufacturer specializing in engine pre-lube and oil evacuation products and systems. The company provides a diverse range of offerings, including oil filter purge tools, quick evac service tools, barrel refill kits, and lube truck conversion kits. In addition to these products, RPM Industries also offers fleet maintenance software designed to automate routine maintenance for heavy equipment, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing costs for owners and dealers. The company serves various sectors, including construction, mining, waste management, trucking, coach and bus transportation, marine, aggregate, and power generation applications. Through its innovative solutions, RPM Industries aims to support its clients in managing their operational needs effectively.

Arieca

Seed Round in 2019
Arieca LLC, founded in 2018 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the development and distribution of Thubber, a thermally conductive rubber composite. This innovative material merges the compliance and elasticity of soft silicone rubber with the thermal conductivity of metal, making it suitable for various applications such as circuit wiring, sensors, and passive heat exchangers. Arieca's product addresses heat management challenges in the electronics industry, enhancing performance while ensuring safe interactions between devices and users. By providing an alternative to traditional rubber, Arieca aims to improve the efficiency of electronic components across multiple sectors.

ESTAT Actuation

Seed Round in 2019
ESTAT Actuation is a company founded in 2019 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the development of electroadhesive clutches. These innovative clutches are designed to enhance the performance of robots and machinery by reducing the size and cost of actuators. By providing engineers with lightweight and low-power actuation hardware, ESTAT Actuation enables clients to improve the capabilities and affordability of their robotic systems and machines.

Arieca

Seed Round in 2019
Arieca LLC, founded in 2018 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the development and distribution of Thubber, a thermally conductive rubber composite. This innovative material merges the compliance and elasticity of soft silicone rubber with the thermal conductivity of metal, making it suitable for various applications such as circuit wiring, sensors, and passive heat exchangers. Arieca's product addresses heat management challenges in the electronics industry, enhancing performance while ensuring safe interactions between devices and users. By providing an alternative to traditional rubber, Arieca aims to improve the efficiency of electronic components across multiple sectors.

Arieca

Seed Round in 2018
Arieca LLC, founded in 2018 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the development and distribution of Thubber, a thermally conductive rubber composite. This innovative material merges the compliance and elasticity of soft silicone rubber with the thermal conductivity of metal, making it suitable for various applications such as circuit wiring, sensors, and passive heat exchangers. Arieca's product addresses heat management challenges in the electronics industry, enhancing performance while ensuring safe interactions between devices and users. By providing an alternative to traditional rubber, Arieca aims to improve the efficiency of electronic components across multiple sectors.

Velocity Robotics

Seed Round in 2018
Velocity Robotics, Inc. is a construction technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, established in 2015. The company develops and manufactures advanced construction workflow tools and automated positioning systems that leverage robotics and Internet of Things technology. Their products are designed to enhance precision and efficiency in various construction tasks, including on-site and prefabricated metal stud framing, decorative panel installation, and finish carpentry. By integrating automation and measurement capabilities, such as Bluetooth tape measures and smart miter saw fences, Velocity Robotics aims to eliminate human error, improve productivity, and reduce material waste in the commercial construction sector. Their innovative solutions enable project managers to track team performance and material utilization effectively, thereby streamlining workflows across the organization.

Interphase Materials

Seed Round in 2016
Interphase Materials, established in 2015 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing advanced surface treatment technologies. The company's primary focus is to enhance the efficiency of industrial cooling systems, serving a diverse range of clients including power plants, commercial and industrial HVAC systems, international heat exchanger manufacturers, and the U.S. Navy. Interphase's signature Heat Transfer Enhancement (HTE) system has demonstrated the potential to increase heat exchanger efficiency by 5-10% in initial tests, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving overall system performance.

Hebi Robotics

Seed Round in 2015
Hebi Robotics designs and supplies robotic technology to accelerate development and customization of robotic systems. The company develops intelligent, connected building blocks and robot kits, including arms, mobile bases, and walking robots, as well as modular sensors that use elastic actuators to control torque, position, and velocity. Its offerings combine hardware and software tools that enable engineers, researchers, and industrial integrators to control actuators at the joint level or as a synchronized system, delivering flexible, reconfigurable solutions that reduce development time and costs.

Westmoreland Advanced Materials

Seed Round in 2011
Westmoreland Advanced Materials, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development and marketing of refractory materials, including castables, shotcretes, and gun mixes. Founded in 2002, the company provides advanced materials solutions tailored for niche applications, particularly in the aluminum industry, where it has introduced energy-efficient and recyclable products. In addition to refractory materials, Westmoreland Advanced Materials offers a range of cement compositions, custom toll blends, and packaged dry mortars. The company also designs and builds diagnostic testing equipment and materials handling machinery, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the strength and reliability of its construction materials.

Thar Geothermal

Seed Round in 2011
Thar Geothermal, LLC develops and markets heating and cooling solutions that are rooted in nature’s design, and that meets the triple bottom line of enhanced energy efficiency, reduced operating costs, and reduced environmental footprint. What differentiates Thar Geothermal from other commercial geothermal systems is the use of an established natural refrigerant, recycled carbon dioxide (known as R744). Additionally the technology lowers the cost and environmental footprint of system installation which has historically hampered adoption of conventional geothermal technology. By improving return of investment and lowering market barriers, Thar Geothermal is planning for rapid market penetration. The company is now in the process of transitioning from a development-stage company to a commercial operating company that designs, builds, installs, and finances sustainable heating and cooling systems.

Westmoreland Advanced Materials

Seed Round in 2011
Westmoreland Advanced Materials, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development and marketing of refractory materials, including castables, shotcretes, and gun mixes. Founded in 2002, the company provides advanced materials solutions tailored for niche applications, particularly in the aluminum industry, where it has introduced energy-efficient and recyclable products. In addition to refractory materials, Westmoreland Advanced Materials offers a range of cement compositions, custom toll blends, and packaged dry mortars. The company also designs and builds diagnostic testing equipment and materials handling machinery, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the strength and reliability of its construction materials.
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