Idea Foundry

Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in advanced fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty truck fleets. The company manufactures the Vector System, which allows diesel engines to operate solely on 100% biodiesel. This innovative technology facilitates a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels by integrating into existing engine operations without the need for significant modifications or replacements. By enabling fleet operators to run exclusively on biodiesel, Optimus helps reduce both fuel costs and emissions, addressing the challenges of achieving emissions reductions in heavy-duty applications while meeting renewable fuel targets.

nanoGriptech, Inc. specializes in manufacturing micro-fibrillar polymer-based dry adhesives and surfaces, drawing inspiration from the natural adhesion mechanism of gecko feet. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of products, including the Setex Gecko Tape, which is a repeatable, residue-free, non-tacky tape, and the Setex Ultra-Thin Fastener, designed for seamless integration with smooth surfaces. Its innovative adhesive solutions are tailored for diverse applications such as wearables, sports gear, semiconductors, robotics, medical devices, automotive components, and packaging. nanoGriptech aims to provide a superior alternative to traditional reusable adhesives, focusing on durability and customization. The company has established partnerships with multinational corporations and has recently begun small volume sales in the high-friction clothing market.

InteloMed, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer focused on enhancing cardiovascular monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Founded in 2005 and based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, the company offers the CVInsight Patient Monitoring & Informatics System. This system captures and analyzes a patient’s pulse waveform using proprietary algorithms, providing noninvasive, real-time insights into cardiovascular stability. It is utilized in various settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and during procedures such as hemodialysis and heart failure management. By delivering actionable health information, InteloMed's technology enables clinicians to make informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment planning for at-risk patients, thereby improving overall care pathways.

Sewickley Confectionery is a family-owned ice cream store situated in the center of Sewickley village. The owner, who has a background in farming and extensive experience in dairy manufacturing and retail, prioritizes quality in their offerings. The establishment specializes in a diverse range of frozen desserts, including ice cream, gelato, cakes, and swirl freezes, while also providing fountain drinks. Additionally, Sewickley Confectionery offers home delivery of various dairy products, such as glass bottled milk, farm-fresh eggs, and locally sourced cheeses, along with meats from their own farm and butter. This commitment to quality and local sourcing allows customers to enjoy premium frozen treats and essential dairy products.

LumiShield Technologies Inc. specializes in anti-corrosion products tailored for the metal plating industry. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has introduced Lumidize®, an innovative aluminum oxide coating designed for the $11 billion metal pretreatment market. This coating enhances the adhesion of paints to various metal substrates, significantly improving corrosion resistance. LumiShield's products cater to diverse sectors, including biomedical, automotive, aerospace, infrastructure, electronics, manufacturing, marine, and consumer goods. By leveraging their proprietary chemistry, Lumidize® allows manufacturers to utilize existing capital equipment, streamlining production processes and reducing costs while addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional technologies.

Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in advanced fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty truck fleets. The company manufactures the Vector System, which allows diesel engines to operate solely on 100% biodiesel. This innovative technology facilitates a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels by integrating into existing engine operations without the need for significant modifications or replacements. By enabling fleet operators to run exclusively on biodiesel, Optimus helps reduce both fuel costs and emissions, addressing the challenges of achieving emissions reductions in heavy-duty applications while meeting renewable fuel targets.

InteloMed, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer focused on enhancing cardiovascular monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Founded in 2005 and based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, the company offers the CVInsight Patient Monitoring & Informatics System. This system captures and analyzes a patient’s pulse waveform using proprietary algorithms, providing noninvasive, real-time insights into cardiovascular stability. It is utilized in various settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and during procedures such as hemodialysis and heart failure management. By delivering actionable health information, InteloMed's technology enables clinicians to make informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment planning for at-risk patients, thereby improving overall care pathways.

Ikos is delivering a flexible on-demand leasing service for investors and analyzing internal data to guide future client investments. It simplifies the rental experience for landlords and renters with their adaptive process that transparently connects people with homes they want and desire while helping landlords and renters make informed decisions. Ikos was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

PittMoss LLC specializes in the production of sustainable gardening products, primarily offering PittMoss, a peat-free potting mix made from organic additives and recycled paper fibers. Founded in 1994 and based in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, the company serves greenhouse and nursery growers as well as home gardeners across the United States. PittMoss is designed to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sphagnum peat moss, utilizing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. In addition to its primary product, PittMoss also offers PittMoss Prime, a versatile soil amendment that can be blended with compost, existing soil mixes, or native soil. Through its innovative approach to gardening solutions, PittMoss aims to make sustainable gardening more accessible and affordable for all users.

Qrono Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, focused on developing innovative therapies to improve communication between cancer and immune cells. Incorporated in 2010, Qrono specializes in discovering and developing immunotherapy drug products that target antigen-presenting cells, aiming to enhance vaccine efficacy and address autoimmune diseases. The company's signature product, Eloquent™ Immunotherapy, is designed to rewrite tumor-immune cell interactions, thereby offering healthcare professionals new, effective treatment options with low toxicity and cost-effectiveness. Through its platform, Qrono is committed to advancing patentable nanomedicines that reprogram antigen-presenting cells for use in cancer and other diseases, ultimately benefiting cancer patients.

Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in advanced fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty truck fleets. The company manufactures the Vector System, which allows diesel engines to operate solely on 100% biodiesel. This innovative technology facilitates a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels by integrating into existing engine operations without the need for significant modifications or replacements. By enabling fleet operators to run exclusively on biodiesel, Optimus helps reduce both fuel costs and emissions, addressing the challenges of achieving emissions reductions in heavy-duty applications while meeting renewable fuel targets.

Neya Systems, LLC is a robotics company based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, specializing in the development of unmanned systems and off-road autonomy technologies. Established in 2004, the company offers a range of products tailored for defense, homeland security, and commercial sectors. Key offerings include UxFleet for unmanned systems planning, UxAB for integrating autonomy into existing platforms, and MPMS for legacy unmanned platform integration. Additionally, Neya provides UxCBRN, which interfaces with various environmental sensors, and UxSDK, a software developer kit that simplifies access to its ecosystem. Neya Systems aims to address complex challenges in autonomy and computer vision, enhancing the deployment and functionality of unmanned systems across diverse applications. As of 2017, it operates as a subsidiary of Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in advanced fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty truck fleets. The company manufactures the Vector System, which allows diesel engines to operate solely on 100% biodiesel. This innovative technology facilitates a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels by integrating into existing engine operations without the need for significant modifications or replacements. By enabling fleet operators to run exclusively on biodiesel, Optimus helps reduce both fuel costs and emissions, addressing the challenges of achieving emissions reductions in heavy-duty applications while meeting renewable fuel targets.

InteloMed, Inc. is a medical device manufacturer focused on enhancing cardiovascular monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Founded in 2005 and based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, the company offers the CVInsight Patient Monitoring & Informatics System. This system captures and analyzes a patient’s pulse waveform using proprietary algorithms, providing noninvasive, real-time insights into cardiovascular stability. It is utilized in various settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and during procedures such as hemodialysis and heart failure management. By delivering actionable health information, InteloMed's technology enables clinicians to make informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment planning for at-risk patients, thereby improving overall care pathways.

Circadiance LLC specializes in the development, manufacture, and marketing of respiratory products aimed at individuals with sleep-disordered breathing and those requiring non-invasive ventilation. Based in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of innovative solutions, including the SleepWeaver all-cloth positive airway pressure masks, which provide comfort during sleep, and the SmartMonitor 2, a portable apnea monitor designed for infants that tracks heart and respiration activity. Additionally, the SmartMonitor 2 Professional Series delivers detailed heart rate, respiration, and oxygen saturation data for healthcare professionals. Circadiance also produces NeoPAP, a treatment system for newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, and SmartTrace electrodes for neonatal and pediatric use. The company's products are distributed through durable medical equipment providers and online retailers in the United States, as well as a network of international distributors, catering to a wide range of patients from premature infants to the elderly. Founded in 2006, Circadiance is committed to enhancing patient care and outcomes in both acute and home care settings.

Wombat Security Technologies, Inc. specializes in interactive software solutions aimed at enhancing cyber security awareness and compliance among employees. The company offers a comprehensive Security Education Platform that includes knowledge assessments, a library of simulated attacks, and interactive training modules designed to significantly reduce the success rate of phishing attacks and malware infections. Key products include PhishPatrol, an anti-phishing email filter; PhishAlarm Analyzer, which assists in identifying reported phishing emails; CyberStrength, an assessment tool for evaluating employee cyber security knowledge; and various simulation services such as USBGuru and SmishGuru that train employees on memory device and text message phishing attacks respectively. Wombat serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 1000 companies in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and technology. Founded in 2008 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an additional office in the United Kingdom, Wombat operates as a subsidiary of Proofpoint, Inc.

First Insight, Inc. is a company that specializes in cloud-based predictive analytics solutions aimed at department stores, specialty retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce businesses. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, First Insight provides tools to guide product design, assortment planning, pricing, and marketing decisions, enhancing sales, margins, and inventory turnover. Its platform allows retailers and manufacturers to gain insights into expected product performance and optimal pricing for new items lacking sales history within a rapid timeframe of 48 to 72 hours. By leveraging a scalable Big Data infrastructure, the company enables consumer evaluation of new products through gamification and crowdsourcing techniques. This approach involves engaging thousands of consumers via various digital channels, ensuring that retailers receive valuable feedback filtered through predictive analytic models that prioritize relevant consumer input. Additionally, First Insight offers a customer experience platform to further support its clients in navigating consumer demand and maximizing merchandise profitability.

Sim Ops Studios, Inc., a spin-off from Carnegie Mellon University, operates from Pittsburgh, PA, while expanding its headquarters to the San Francisco Bay Area. The company's team comprises skilled engineers, designers, and product managers with experience in online entertainment, game development, and technology innovation. Sim Ops Studios specializes in creating user-friendly platforms for 3D game development, leveraging extensive research and development conducted at Carnegie Mellon. Their flagship product, Wild Pockets, is a technology platform that allows users to easily create fully interactive, collaborative 3D worlds that function seamlessly in web browsers.

ContentVision provides infrastructure technology and software solutions for the automated analysis and retrieval of video content. We bring to light the rich, descriptive information embedded deep within video assets. With unmatched granularity, our technology generates metadata that describes and defines video resources -- providing automated indexing and organization. This in turn enables easy and accurate retrieval of archived assets and promotes a streamlined workflow for greater overall efficiency. From content creators to broadcast and cable outlets, every link in the media and entertainment supply chain is choosing ContentVision's innovative product suite. As they service an ever-growing market of video consumers, companies such as television broadcasters, advertising agencies, corporations, healthcare providers and educational facilities are turning to ContentVision for automated digital media solutions. ContentVision is a privately held company. Its significant proprietary advanced technology is being assembled and developed in Pittsburgh, PA.

OnHand Schools, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing classroom management software aimed at enhancing student learning experiences. Founded in 2004 and operating as a subsidiary of Harris School Solutions, the company focuses on delivering educational technology solutions that personalize and accelerate learning for students. By partnering with innovative educators, OnHand Schools strives to create high-performing educational environments where all students can achieve their academic potential. The company emphasizes the importance of simplifying and organizing data to provide a comprehensive view of student performance, which enables educators to gain insights that inform curriculum improvements, differentiated instruction, assessment processes, and targeted intervention strategies.

STARR Life Sciences Corp. specializes in the development and manufacturing of research equipment for small animal studies, aimed at advancing life sciences. Based in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, the company offers a range of products including the MouseOX Plus pulse oximeter, which measures vital parameters such as heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, and temperature in mice and rats. Additionally, STARR Life Sciences provides the E-Mitter Telemetry System, enabling continuous monitoring of temperature, activity, and heart rate through implantable telemetry devices and accompanying software. Their product lineup also includes incage running wheels, activity cage systems, and infrared motion sensors, all designed to facilitate non-invasive observation of animal health and behavior. The company's offerings are utilized by researchers, veterinarians, and institutions within the pharmaceutical and academic sectors, reflecting a commitment to supporting medical research through innovative technology.

BitArmor Systems was a security software company located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in information-centric data security solutions. The company developed an integrated encryption technology designed to safeguard data across various devices, including laptops, desktops, USB drives, and email attachments. Its offerings included cloud-based encryption solutions for mid-market businesses, focusing on file and disk encryption to protect sensitive information stored in multiple formats like CDs, DVDs, storage servers, and tapes. BitArmor's innovative approach to data security garnered attention, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Trustwave Holdings, Inc.