Oakland · Pittsburgh

Supporting Early‑Stage Companies to Start and Stay in Oakland.

InnovatePGH is an economic development organization focused on the neighborhood of Oakland, Pittsburgh. It supports earliest-stage companies emerging from the university ecosystem by helping create the conditions they need to launch and grow in Oakland.

By the Numbers

Building By the Numbers

67,000+
Students
20+
Academic & research institutions
$2.1B
Annual university R&D
1.7
Square-mile district

Two Clear Paths

Initiatives of InnovatePGH

Hands-On Support That Reduces Early-Stage Risk.

Anvil Founder Coaching

Hands-on founder support program.

Pathways Fellowship

Hands-on founder support program.

GEIR

Global Entrepreneur in Residence.

Avenu Workspaces

Flexible workspace for earliest-stage founders and corporate partners. 150+ members, 30,000 sq ft, four locations.

To date, these programs have supported 54 entrepreneurs, with alumni progressing into programs such as Y Combinator, Alphalab, PGH Labs, and the Robotics Factory.

Who We Are

InnovatePGH is an economic development organization focused on the neighborhood of Oakland, Pittsburgh. It supports earliest-stage companies by creating the conditions they need to launch and grow in Oakland. That work includes connecting founders to resources, coordinating local support systems, and improving the physical and operational environment companies rely on in their earliest stages.

This leads to stronger talent retention, more company formation, and sustained economic activity in Oakland.

Why Oakland

Oakland brings together more than 67,000 students, over 20 academic and research institutions, and more than $2.1 billion in annual university R&D within a 1.7-square-mile district. This concentration of research, talent, and activity has helped fuel more than 600 startups and growth-stage companies in the region, and more than $12 billion in startup exit value over the past six years.

InnovatePGH works within this broader ecosystem, focusing on strengthening Oakland as a place where earliest-stage companies can launch and grow.