AlphaLab

C.C. Busy is a software platform that automates documentation and administrative tasks for home-based and small childcare providers, primarily in Pennsylvania. The company develops tools to automate invoicing and generate required reports for regulatory programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program, using voice-assisted input to log daily activities and share information with parents and regulators. The platform aims to reduce time spent on paperwork, improve compliance with rising regulations, and enable providers to focus on child care while maintaining traceable records and transparent communication with families. By leveraging voice-based digital assistants, C.C. Busy streamlines administrative workflows and supports consistent reporting across regulatory requirements.

Watt-Learn, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company that specializes in developing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for grid-connected battery installations in the energy sector. Established in 2016, the company leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the lifespan and performance of energy storage systems. Its software autonomously optimizes battery operations based on user-defined criteria, thereby maximizing the return on investment for energy storage projects while minimizing degradation due to cycling. Watt-Learn serves a diverse clientele, including battery original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and commercial and industrial end users, as well as utility companies. Through its innovative platform, Watt-Learn aims to improve the operational efficiency and economic viability of battery technologies across various applications.

ARIN Technologies designs and delivers high-accuracy indoor positioning systems that enable real-time location tracking within buildings. Based in Pittsburgh and founded around 2015, the company uses ultra-wideband technology to provide precise positioning for indoor work environments, supporting situational awareness around material handling equipment such as forklifts. Its offerings combine hardware and software to improve safety, reduce collisions, and monitor productivity, contributing to safer workflows and efficient operations for industrial customers.

Lift Link Fitness, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in manufacturing fitness trackers designed to integrate with gym equipment and collect workout data. The company has developed a comprehensive fitness tracking and coaching application that enhances user engagement during workouts. Lift Link’s platform includes sensors that monitor weight training, cardio activities, class attendance, and locker room usage, providing valuable insights into gym flow and occupancy patterns. By fostering a more interactive experience, Lift Link aims to improve member retention and help gyms better serve their clientele. The platform features a dashboard that visualizes data, allowing gym operators to identify usage patterns and explore opportunities for enhancing member engagement, retention, and additional revenue streams. Furthermore, members can participate in challenges and leaderboards, cultivating a sense of community within the fitness center while also having the ability to request personal training services and other facility offerings.

Ikos Holdings Co. operates an online platform that connects landlords and renters, streamlining the rental experience for both parties. Founded in 2017 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a flexible on-demand leasing service for investors while utilizing data analysis to guide client investments. By simplifying the rental process, Ikos helps landlords and renters make informed decisions, fostering transparency and adaptability in their interactions. The platform aims to enhance the way individuals engage with rental properties, ultimately benefiting the real estate market.

Qlicket operates as an AI-driven SaaS platform that focuses on talent retention, aiming to reduce employee turnover by providing continuous insights into employee experiences. The platform includes a kiosk feedback system designed to facilitate communication between employees and management, addressing the challenges posed by high turnover rates. In addition to its talent retention services, Qlicket India Pvt. Ltd. manages a Wi-Fi platform that enhances customer engagement by allowing businesses to interact with customers and gather their feedback. Founded in 2011 and based in New Delhi, India, Qlicket has established a presence in the market, complementing its operations with a U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it was founded in 2018.

Gridwise develops a mobile application for gig economy drivers, empowering them with real-time insights to maximize earnings. Its platform offers demand alerts, passenger data tracking, mileage logging, tax deduction calculation, and performance reporting.

Strix is a marketplace that facilitates connections between game developers and streamers for interactive marketing campaigns. Established in October 2015, the company offers a streaming monetization platform designed to streamline influencer-based marketing efforts. By guiding game publishers and developers through the creation and execution of campaigns, Strix enables streamers to effectively monetize their content. The company has been recognized as a PROBE at the Carnegie Mellon Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and participated in the AlphaLab summer 2016 cycle. Through its innovative approach, Strix aims to enhance the collaboration between the gaming industry and streaming influencers.

Flexable, LLC is a childcare platform based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that connects parents with vetted caregivers. Founded in 2016, the platform allows parents to invite trusted caregivers and check their availability for various childcare needs, including part-time, full-time, or occasional care for events. Flexable also facilitates the search for new caregivers in local areas, promoting convenience and accessibility in the childcare market. By offering on-site childcare solutions for professional and personal events, Flexable aims to support working parents and enhance attendance at conferences and gatherings. The company has experienced significant growth since its inception, positioning itself as a trusted resource for families seeking reliable childcare options.

Wise Telemetry, LLC is a provider of gas sensor systems designed for gas distributors to monitor real-time supply and usage data at customer sites. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a solution that automatically determines and communicates a gas cylinder's size, fill level, and usage rate without requiring user input or special programming. This capability enhances delivery route planning, usage tracking, and future demand predictions, allowing clients to optimize their operations and achieve cost savings. Wise Telemetry's technology is applicable across various sectors, including medical, manufacturing, energy, and construction. Originally known as BreatheWise, LLC, the company rebranded in May 2017 to reflect its focus on telemetry solutions.

The Carbon Freight Company, LLC, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in the manufacture of air cargo products, including cargo pallets and air cargo containers, as well as ground handling solutions. The company focuses on creating more durable products that are designed to be lightweight, enabling more efficient cargo transport and reduced emissions. By prioritizing sustainability alongside profitability, The Carbon Freight Company aims to demonstrate that environmentally responsible practices can coexist with successful business operations.

TravelWits is a Pittsburgh-based travel technology company that operates an online platform to search multi-mode travel deals, enabling users to find combinations of transportation, accommodations, and activities within a budget. The platform uses AI to generate door-to-door itineraries optimized for meeting times and locations, aiming to save businesses money while offering incentives and lightweight travel-policy management. The service covers both business and leisure travel, helping companies streamline policy compliance and employees' itineraries. TravelWits emphasizes cost optimization and convenience by surfacing cost-effective, practical travel options.

Rorus Inc. is a company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in the manufacture of advanced water purifier filters utilizing innovative silver nanoparticle technology. Founded in 2014, Rorus is committed to enhancing access to safe drinking water by providing effective point-of-use water treatment solutions. Its flagship product, the Device for Emergency Water, is designed specifically for disaster and emergency relief providers, catering to the needs of communities in both developed and developing regions. Through its nanotechnology-based filtration systems, Rorus aims to deliver affordable and usable drinking water, thereby addressing critical public health challenges associated with water safety.

Conversant Labs LLC is a technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that focuses on creating innovative solutions for the blind and visually impaired. Founded in 2012, the company has developed a voice-enabled mobile application that acts as a shopping assistant for online purchases, offering a unique audio-based interface tailored specifically for users with visual impairments. Unlike traditional screen readers that convert visual content to audio, Conversant Labs’ software is designed from the ground up to deliver an intuitive audio experience. Additionally, the company provides development tools for creating conversational applications, enabling developers to build robust and engaging interactions for users. Through its products, Conversant Labs aims to enhance accessibility and streamline the shopping experience for individuals with disabilities.

Easely, Inc., established in 2014 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, operates a rental platform that provides businesses with an affordable means to access and enjoy contemporary artwork. The company curates a selection of gallery-quality art prints that clients can rent and rotate through its website and mobile application. Easely aims to enhance various environments, such as resorts and corporate campuses, by offering the opportunity to experience new artwork periodically. Clients can choose to rent pieces or purchase them outright, allowing for flexibility in how they incorporate art into their spaces.

DataSquid Inc. specializes in developing innovative data visualization software designed for tablet devices, fundamentally changing how users interact with and interpret data. The company's software leverages Kinetica technology, allowing users to sort, filter, and manipulate data through intuitive touchscreen gestures. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an additional office in New York City, DataSquid aims to empower individuals and businesses to make informed decisions based on their data. By integrating advanced data visualization techniques and physics simulations, the platform provides users with the ability to engage directly with their data, facilitating the generation of insights and enhancing the quality of presentations.

Nebulus is a company that offers a social music production platform designed to facilitate musical collaboration. Founded in May 2014 by a team that includes Robert Kotcher and Kyle Henson, Nebulus provides web-based tools that allow musicians to record, arrange, and produce music together in real-time, regardless of their geographical locations. The platform simplifies the process of music creation and distribution, making it accessible for artists to collaborate interactively over the cloud. With its focus on enhancing the collaborative experience in music production, Nebulus aims to empower musicians to create songs collectively in an engaging and efficient manner. The company is based in Pittsburgh and Pasadena.

NoWait, Inc. is a technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in a mobile application designed to enhance the dining experience. Founded in 2010, the company offers a restaurant reservation and waitlist management system that connects consumers with casual dining establishments across the United States. Through its app, users can join waitlists and manage reservations digitally, allowing them to streamline their restaurant visits. By providing a comprehensive platform for both diners and restaurant management, NoWait enables quick access to dining options while improving operational efficiency for restaurants. In 2017, NoWait became a subsidiary of Yelp Inc.

Inktd is a Pittsburgh-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in developing a cloud-based scheduling platform tailored for tattoo artists and shops. The platform facilitates simple, mobile scheduling, enhancing the relationship between artists and their clients by effectively managing appointments. Inktd's solution minimizes no-shows through features such as rescheduling options and text message reminders, allowing tattoo artists to communicate more efficiently with clients regarding individual and future bookings. With its user-friendly, subscription-based appointment system, Inktd aims to streamline operations for tattoo professionals while improving client engagement.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Jetpack Workflow offers a cloud-based software solution designed to streamline workflow management for small to medium-sized accounting firms. Its platform enables CPAs, bookkeepers, and accountants to automate and track recurring client work, enhancing productivity and profitability.

BudgetSimple, Inc. is a company that offers a web application designed to assist households in managing their finances through personal budgeting software. Founded in 2006 and incorporated in 2013, the company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. BudgetSimple enables users to track their spending habits, analyze their financial situation, and create personalized budgets. By identifying areas where users can reduce unnecessary expenses, BudgetSimple aims to help individuals decrease their debt and increase their savings, ultimately fostering greater financial confidence. The platform serves as an automated financial planner, providing an accessible and effective solution for those looking to improve their financial management.

Collected Inc., established in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in a hosted application that enhances productivity by providing contextually relevant content from users' cloud-storage documents and presentations as they type. The application supports various workflows, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and integrates with popular cloud-storage platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Gmail, and OneDrive. It analyzes users' documents to identify reusable content, displaying related snippets unobtrusively in the sidebar for insertion into the current document or viewing of the original document.

Wing Ma’am is a mobile application designed for LGBT women, launched in 2012 by Ariella Furman and operated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The app utilizes location-based technology to facilitate safe connections among users, enabling them to chat, message, and engage with one another. Additionally, Wing Ma’am offers features for event planning, allowing users to create and organize gatherings to meet like-minded individuals. The application is available on Android, iPhone, and iPad devices, providing a platform for both social interaction and community building.

ProfilePasser is a mobile application based in Freeport, Pennsylvania, designed to facilitate connections between high school athletes and college recruiters. With approximately 7.6 million high school athletes in the United States, the platform addresses the competitive nature of college recruitment, where less than 7% of athletes secure opportunities to play at the collegiate level. ProfilePasser enhances interactions at showcase tournaments and events by allowing athletes to check in and share their performance results with coaches. This functionality enables coaches to rate and filter players, making it easier to monitor talent and progress over time. Through its innovative approach, ProfilePasser streamlines the college recruiting process for both athletes and coaches.

AthleteTrax, LLC, founded in 2012 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provides a comprehensive team management tool designed for high school, competitive, and collegiate sports clubs. The company's platform, AthleteTrax, serves as a community hub where players, parents, coaches, and administrators can stay informed and coordinated. Key features include scheduling player activities, sending reminders, fundraising support, custom websites, mobile apps, facility and league scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, communication tools, scoring, statistics, and standings management. AthleteTrax aims to streamline organizational tasks, allowing managers to focus on growth while automating administrative work. The company operates as a subsidiary of Synergy Commerce, LLC.

NetBeez, Inc. is a technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in enterprise network monitoring solutions. Founded in 2013, the company offers a real-time, distributed performance monitoring platform designed to identify and resolve network and application problems proactively. Its agent-based system monitors LAN, WAN, and WiFi networks from the user's perspective, measuring key performance indicators of service quality. By simulating user interactions with intranet and internet services, NetBeez provides valuable insights that enable IT teams to quickly detect, troubleshoot, and repair network issues, thereby reducing downtime and operational costs. The solution is applicable across various sectors, including retail, healthcare, education, and finance, making it a versatile tool for enterprise organizations seeking to optimize network performance and improve service reliability.

PoweredAnalytics is a company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in predictive analytics. It offers a cloud-based platform designed to empower businesses to derive insights and make predictions from large datasets. By democratizing access to predictive analytics, PoweredAnalytics enables organizations to leverage big data more effectively, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.

HitchedPic helps a bride and groom capture every aspect of their wedding. Friends and family of the bride get a custom iPhone app that allows them to take and personalize photos while the bride and groom get access to an easy to use photo management tool. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Digital Dream Labs is an education technology company focused on hands-on learning for children aged 4 to 9. It develops engaging, language- and system-agnostic products that enable pre-readers to interact with on-screen environments and with devices such as educational robots, smart speakers, other smart devices, and drones. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Engineered Style is an AlphaLab portfolio company that specializes in fashion related software for roughly 99% of the male population. The company’s easy-to-use web and mobile tools help men learn what to wear, how to wear it, and where to buy it. Engineered Style is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Aurochs Brewing Company, established in 2012 and based in Emsworth, Pennsylvania, specializes in crafting gluten-free beers. Inspired by the legendary Aurochs beast, the company brews its beverages using ancient, untamed grains to achieve complex flavors. All products are naturally gluten-free, made without wheat, barley, or rye, ensuring a safe option for those with gluten intolerance. The company's commitment to quality and unique recipes aim to provide consumers with a wild, untamed beer experience, reflecting the spirit of freedom and independence.

FutureDerm, Inc. is a science and research-based cosmetics company founded in 2007 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It operates an online platform that features a blog dedicated to skin care and dermatology, offering detailed articles on topics such as nutrition, fitness, fashion, beauty, health, and personal development. The blog focuses on breaking down the science behind various beauty products and ingredients, providing product reviews that clarify marketing claims. In addition to its informational content, FutureDerm sells a range of skin care products and cosmetics through its e-commerce platform, catering to users seeking informed beauty solutions. The company aims to create an engaging and educational experience for consumers interested in understanding the science behind their personal care choices.

Tunessence is a company focused on revolutionizing the way individuals learn to play the guitar through its innovative online platform. The software utilizes advanced audio processing technology to offer real-time feedback as users play, guiding them through a curriculum of interactive lessons. Developed in collaboration with faculty from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music, the lessons cover a range of musical genres, including Jazz, Blues, and Rock, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of guitar history and techniques. Currently in private beta, Tunessence invites users to experience its engaging and effective approach to music education by signing up on its website.

Treatspace is a Pittsburgh-based healthcare platform that changes how primary and specialty care and hospital systems collaborate by enabling closed-loop referral management and care coordination. The platform supports patient engagement and clinical collaboration by eliminating paper referrals and securely transferring clinical data, while allowing physicians to post accurate, up-to-date, and verifiable information about their practices. It provides networks that connect patients with physicians and facilitates referral and clinical networking among clinicians, enhancing access to care and educational collaboration across providers. Founded in 2012, Treatspace focuses on improving workflows, enabling efficient referrals, and empowering practices to deliver coordinated care.

ActivAided Orthotics LLC specializes in the design and development of biofunctional gear aimed at improving body mechanics and correcting posture, contributing to natural pain relief. The company's flagship product, a posture training shirt, is specifically engineered to alleviate back pain by addressing daily imbalances that lead to discomfort. ActivAided's offerings are applicable for various conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, disc degeneration, and low back pain, among others. The company markets its products through an online store and medical professionals, ensuring accessibility for those in need. Founded in 2011 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ActivAided Orthotics emerged from a collaboration among physicians, biomedical engineers, and athletes dedicated to promoting active, pain-free living. As of 2016, it operates as a subsidiary of Elizur Corporation.

Accel Diagnostics, LLC is a medical diagnostics company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded in 2008. The company develops innovative diagnostic technologies, including the pScreen Card, a disposable, credit-card-sized blood diagnostic platform that detects and quantifies biomarkers through a companion mobile application. This lab-on-chip technology allows for rapid diagnosis of infectious and chronic diseases at the point-of-care, delivering accurate results within 30 minutes and enhancing the quality of care while reducing costs. Additionally, Accel Diagnostics focuses on heart failure management, enabling patients to monitor their condition at home and allowing timely responses to heart distress before severe symptoms arise. This approach aims to reduce life-threatening events and prevent costly hospitalizations, representing a significant advancement in patient care for congestive heart failure.

HeadRight Games, LLC is an independent game development company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in cross-platform casual games for PC, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android devices. Founded in 2011 by industry veteran Matt Rodgers, the company focuses on creating engaging mobile and social casual games, including genres such as word search, amusement, skill, and puzzle adventure games. HeadRight Games has established itself in the gaming industry by offering a diverse portfolio of accessible and entertaining games designed for various platforms, catering to a broad audience of casual gamers.

8020select is an online platform based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that focuses on providing affordable graphic design services, particularly for small businesses. By establishing an engaging, invite-only community of logo and brand designers, the company aims to disrupt the traditional graphic design industry, which is often characterized by high costs and variable quality. 8020select offers a streamlined approach for small businesses seeking quality design solutions without the challenges of hiring freelancers or using crowdsourcing platforms, which can yield subpar results. Through the development of proprietary tools, the company enhances scalability and efficiency in the design process, allowing clients to receive high-quality work at reduced costs and turnaround times compared to traditional design agencies.

Founded in 2011, PHRQL develops tools for registered dietitians to document and track one-on-one nutrition counseling sessions and group classes. Its flagship product, Connect & Coach, is an electronic health record designed by RDs for RDs, facilitating the management of nutrition care processes. PHRQL also offers a healthy dividends platform enabling dietitians to connect with peers, manage products, and engage in consumer packaged goods reviews.

NoWait, Inc. is a technology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in a mobile application designed to enhance the dining experience. Founded in 2010, the company offers a restaurant reservation and waitlist management system that connects consumers with casual dining establishments across the United States. Through its app, users can join waitlists and manage reservations digitally, allowing them to streamline their restaurant visits. By providing a comprehensive platform for both diners and restaurant management, NoWait enables quick access to dining options while improving operational efficiency for restaurants. In 2017, NoWait became a subsidiary of Yelp Inc.

Shoefitr, Inc. is a software company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that specializes in providing online fitting solutions for footwear manufacturers and retailers. Founded in 2010, Shoefitr has developed a platform that helps consumers determine the best fitting shoe size, thereby reducing the likelihood of returns. The company maintains an extensive database of internal measurements and material properties for various footwear brands, allowing it to compare shoppers' current shoe sizes with the specifications of desired models. This capability enhances the online shopping experience by instilling confidence in consumers and enabling a more personalized approach to purchasing shoes, akin to the experience of trying them on in-store. Shoefitr's solutions have been shown to increase conversion rates for retailers by addressing the common challenge of inaccurate shoe sizing. As of 2015, Shoefitr operates as a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.

Offermint is an online platform that offers daily deals for its users off local restaurants, spas, sporting and cultural events, classes, gyms, and more. It sends out an email listing some of the offers available in its users’ city through its partners. Offermint is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Zipano is a Pittsburgh, PA based startup which is a spinoff from the Mobile Commerce Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. The goal of the company is to commercialize the technology and concept of allowing users to better define their privacy preferences in the context of information (location, but not only) sharing applications. Zipano is an Innovation Works AlphaLab company for the summer class of 2009.

Lama Lab, Inc. offers a cloud-based platform for online retailers that provide recommendations on pricing, inventory management, and marketing. The platform recommends actionable items, enables implementation of recommendations, and tracks the effects of recommendations. Lama Lab, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

NavPrescience is a technology company focused on creating advanced GPS applications that enhance navigation through personalized and predictive capabilities. Originating as a spinoff from Carnegie Mellon University, the company employs patent-pending technologies that analyze driving patterns to learn individual drivers' routing preferences and predict their destinations. This innovative approach allows NavPrescience to deliver navigation solutions that automatically adjust to each driver's unique needs, helping them avoid traffic congestion while providing relevant information tailored to predicted destinations. Through its sophisticated methods, NavPrescience aims to redefine the driving experience by making navigation more intuitive and responsive.

Founded in 2008, BlenderHouse is a Pittsburgh-based software development company specializing in Web-based research, machine learning, data analytics applications, and decision-based social media applications. It offers ALiE, an Applied Learning Engine that generates statistical prediction models and provides reasoning for results. The company serves clients in intelligence, financial services, medical, and professional services markets.