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

Kevin Dowling Ph.D

Managing Director of Robotics Factory and Hardware

Peter Erin

Senior Associate

Afshan Khan

Investor

Jeffrey McDaniel

Investor

Ven Raju

Investor

Aaron Tainter

Investor

Steven Welles

Managing Director of Software

Jim Wrubel

Investor

Past deals in Metals and Mining

Emergence Dental

Seed Round in 2022
Founded in 2019, Emergence Dental is a medical device company specializing in research and development. It focuses on designing and pre-clinically developing innovative devices for dental bone and soft tissue grafting procedures.

Emergence Dental

Seed Round in 2021
Founded in 2019, Emergence Dental is a medical device company specializing in research and development. It focuses on designing and pre-clinically developing innovative devices for dental bone and soft tissue grafting procedures.

LumiShield Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2015
LumiShield Technologies develops and supplies sustainable metal oxide coatings that protect metal substrates from corrosion and enhance paint adhesion. Its flagship product, Lumidize®, is an aluminum oxide coating applied via electroplating that can be used on a wide range of metal substrates and multi‑metal components. The technology improves durability, reduces manufacturing costs, and eliminates many environmental problems associated with conventional pretreatment processes. The company serves industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, electronics, and infrastructure, providing solutions that extend the life of metal parts and vessels used in chemical and other demanding environments.

LumiShield Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2015
LumiShield Technologies develops and supplies sustainable metal oxide coatings that protect metal substrates from corrosion and enhance paint adhesion. Its flagship product, Lumidize®, is an aluminum oxide coating applied via electroplating that can be used on a wide range of metal substrates and multi‑metal components. The technology improves durability, reduces manufacturing costs, and eliminates many environmental problems associated with conventional pretreatment processes. The company serves industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, electronics, and infrastructure, providing solutions that extend the life of metal parts and vessels used in chemical and other demanding environments.

Summit Materials

Seed Round in 2011
Summit Materials offers advanced materials and near-net shape manufacturing processes that save companies time and money in demanding industries such as aerospace, medical devices and oil exploration. Our patented SM-100™ alloy is used where corrosion and wear resistance are needed simultaneously. Efficient use of raw materials ensures minimal waste and environmental impact.

Pittsburgh Iron Oxides (PIROX)

Seed Round in 2011
PITTSBURGH IRON OXIDES LLC (“PIROX”) manufactures 98%+ pure synthetic magnetite (SuperMagnetiteTM). SuperMagnetiteTM has a unique combination of magnetic properties (remnance, saturation, and coercivity) which are derived from its purity, particle size (2 to 10 microns), and particle shape. These attributes allow PIROX to compete strongly in some very large markets that include the manufacture nutrients, rust inhibition, pollution control (mercury and sulfur-dioxide removal), and the manufacture of iron phosphate for the food and batteries market.

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.

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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