AlphaLab Launches 6 More Startups in Pittsburgh

Frank Gruber Oct 26, 2011 Tweet

Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Innovation Works’ AlphaLab startup accelerator program launched another 6 companies at its demo day. Twice a year, up to 6 promising companies are selected to participate in the 20 week program. The current group of companies has been at it since June and have worked with mentors, advisors, and the Innovation Works team to develop their business models and plans.

AlphaLab has been in operation since 2008 and has invested in 39 companies with over 100 participating entrepreneurs. AlphaLab has been recognized as one of the top accelerators in the U.S. and joined the TechStars Network as a charter member earlier this year.

The following six startups launched:

8020select is a private online design community providing small businesses with affordable graphic design services. They are looking to disrupt the $7 billion graphic design industry by making quality graphic design services accessible to everyone. This startup appears to be taking a similar approach to design as CrowdSpring and 99designs.

8020Select Founder and CEO Nathan Speller

MakerCraft looks to take advantage of the growing market for hand-made goods and the expansion of personalization in e-commerce. MakerCraft’s first product, now in beta, is focused on the nearly $69 Billion market of fashion jewelry, and it was a featured startup at one of our Chicago mixer events, when we covered them previously.

The MakerCraft Team

VitalClip offers an iPhone platform that measures and combines key physiological indicators with location-based and activity-specific information to provide users with actionable insights on their health. It uses a mashup of data to drive changes in behavior that promote a healthy lifestyle.

The VitalClip Team

Krowder created an ultra-low cost local shipping alternative. They estimate that they can address 60% of the transportation needs within the $5.25 billion “Messengers and Local Deliveries” market in the United States.

ComVibe provides web and mobile solutions for property managers to streamline maintenance and communication processes with their residents. The solution addresses the leading cause of resident turnover by tackling the challenges associated with maintenance oversight. ComVibe currently live with paying customers, who have over 500 residents signed up and using the system.

The ComVibe Team

PHRQL (pronounced “freckle”) is a mobile health solution to help people with diabetes better self-manage their care and stay connected with family, friends and educators. They offer insurers a user-powered way to lower the costs of diabetes.