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Empowering Software Startups to Innovate, Grow, and Succeed.

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Overview

AlphaLab Software is one of the earliest and most prestigious software startup accelerators in the nation. Established in 2008, it has grown into one of the premier programs that make Pittsburgh a technology hub.

The six-month program sets founders up for success through a high-touch accelerator experience that combines hands-on company-building support with investment capital. Participating companies provide 3% common equity for the accelerator program and receive up to $100,000 invested via an uncapped SAFE.

KEY BENEFITS

  • AlphaLab’s Flagship program, launched in 2008
  • Network of software-savvy mentors
  • Leveraging AI through all aspects of startup operations
  • Customized support for SaaS and software-driven business models

What Makes Us Unique

AlphaLab Software offers an extensive network of mentors and industry experts, rooted in our 20-year legacy of supporting software startups. Among our alumni network of successful companies are unicorns that have paved the way for innovation. We provide a curriculum focused on deconstructing product-market fit, customer discovery and development, and fundraising tailored specifically for software founders.

Our team includes former software founders who truly understand the challenges you face. Through our “AI as a Co-Founder Series”, we help startups leverage AI across operations, ensuring they stay ahead in today’s tech-driven landscape.

Team white-boarding ideas.

Who Should Apply?

AlphaLab Software seeks ambitious, driven, and coachable founders who are ready to take their startups to the next level. Founders who join AlphaLab should be ready to fully commit to their startup’s success, engage deeply with our mentorship, and work within Pittsburgh’s vibrant tech community.

You’re a fit for AlphaLab Software if you check these boxes:

  • Have a product that’s been launched, tested, and is in market with some users
  • Have a team with the domain expertise to build your software solution
  • Have a company that has demonstrated customer demand across a portion of the market with paid or unpaid customers using the product on a regular basis

Learn about the requirements.

Our Team

Steven Welles
Managing Director, Software
Sara Longo
Senior Program Manager, AlphaLab

Portfolio Highlights

AlphaLab was where I wanted to be. They were a top accelerator based in Pittsburgh and had all of the resources and network access that I could have hoped for. My only ask was that I needed help finding a technical co-founder. Eventually, they were the ones who introduced me to Brian Finamore, Gridwise’s co-founder and now CTO.
Ryan Green, CEO
Gridwise
☆☆☆☆☆
AlphaLab was where I wanted to be. They were a top accelerator based in Pittsburgh and had all of the resources and network access that I could have hoped for. My only ask was that I needed help finding a technical co-founder. Eventually, they were the ones who introduced me to Brian Finamore, Gridwise’s co-founder and now CTO.
Ryan Green, CEO - Gridwise
Ryan Green, CEO
Gridwise
Being part of the IW cohort has been a pivotal moment for our company. The team has provided us with incredible resources that we have put to use and made the most of. We have gained knowledge and experience that are invaluable for our journey. Our confidence as startup founders has grown exponentially and we owe a big part of it to the exposure IW has provided us with!
Carolina Espinosa
iTruckr
☆☆☆☆☆
Being part of the IW cohort has been a pivotal moment for our company. The team has provided us with incredible resources that we have put to use and made the most of. We have gained knowledge and experience that are invaluable for our journey. Our confidence as startup founders has grown exponentially and we owe a big part of it to the exposure IW has provided us with!
Carolina Espinosa - iTruckr
Carolina Espinosa
iTruckr
We really enjoyed the programming and got a lot of great feedback on how to understand the customer's problems. As a technical team, we learned how to better derisk our product. Additionally, having meetings with the mentors at IW helped use realize many items we needed to but didn't know about.
Ram Potham
Sitewiz
☆☆☆☆☆
We really enjoyed the programming and got a lot of great feedback on how to understand the customer's problems. As a technical team, we learned how to better derisk our product. Additionally, having meetings with the mentors at IW helped use realize many items we needed to but didn't know about.
Ram Potham - Sitewiz
Ram Potham
Sitewiz
AlphaLab’s programming was a game-changer for Admirra. It helped us grow our customer base, refine our marketing and sales process, and build monthly recurring revenue (MRR). The mentorship and workshops on marketing and financial planning were key to scaling our business. Coaches like Sara and Steve helped us hit important milestones, while the program’s network of experts and investors continues to support our growth. AlphaLab’s resources and collaborative environment were crucial to taking Admirra to the next level.
Wendy McSparren
Admirra
☆☆☆☆☆
AlphaLab’s programming was a game-changer for Admirra. It helped us grow our customer base, refine our marketing and sales process, and build monthly recurring revenue (MRR). The mentorship and workshops on marketing and financial planning were key to scaling our business. Coaches like Sara and Steve helped us hit important milestones, while the program’s network of experts and investors continues to support our growth. AlphaLab’s resources and collaborative environment were crucial to taking Admirra to the next level.
Wendy McSparren - Admirra
Wendy McSparren
Admirra
Starting a company is daunting and lonely, even when you have a founding team. AlphaLab gave us a community, a home, and a structure to discuss ideas and challenges. Before entering the program, we didn’t have any customers. By the end, we had landed three key accounts that continue to help drive growth today.
Rich Kucera, CEO
Symmetric Health Solutions
☆☆☆☆☆
Starting a company is daunting and lonely, even when you have a founding team. AlphaLab gave us a community, a home, and a structure to discuss ideas and challenges. Before entering the program, we didn’t have any customers. By the end, we had landed three key accounts that continue to help drive growth today.
Rich Kucera - CEO of Symmetric Health Solutions
Rich Kucera, CEO
Symmetric Health Solutions
AlphaLab provided the encouragement, network, and structure I needed as a solo-founder. Solo founder life can be very isolating so it was great to be surrounded by knowledgeable people to help bounce ideas off of. I started at AlphaLab in the first few months of launching my beauty brand and I was able to take it from $0 to $250k in revenue our first year.
Rachel Reid, CEO
Subtl Beauty
☆☆☆☆☆
AlphaLab provided the encouragement, network, and structure I needed as a solo-founder. Solo founder life can be very isolating so it was great to be surrounded by knowledgeable people to help bounce ideas off of. I started at AlphaLab in the first few months of launching my beauty brand and I was able to take it from $0 to $250k in revenue our first year.
Rachel Reid, CEO of Subtl Beauty
Rachel Reid, CEO
Subtl Beauty

Why Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh’s tech ecosystem offers software startups unrivaled access to world-class talent, resources, and innovation. Home to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), ranked No.1 globally in mobile/web applications, software engineering, and artificial intelligence, the city produces a steady stream of highly skilled graduates in fields like software development, machine learning, and data science. This influx of talent gives AlphaLab Software startups the cutting-edge expertise they need to innovate, scale, and compete on a global level.

Beyond academia, Pittsburgh has a thriving software investment scene, ranking in the top 10 for SaaS funding. In October 2024, NVIDIA selected Pittsburgh as the location for its inaugural AI Tech Community, establishing joint technology centers with CMU and the University of Pittsburgh. By choosing AlphaLab Software, founders position themselves within a supportive and highly innovative ecosystem that’s dedicated to propelling their startups forward.

Bridge in Pittsburgh
Pittsburg Skyline