Pennsylvania provides a supportive environment for early-stage companies seeking to scale. For instance, Innovation Works has made over 650 investments, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners has backed more than 200 startups.
Other organizations like Comcast RISE have supported nearly 500 businesses through grants and services.
Below is our list of the best 32 accelerators and incubators in Pennsylvania.
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2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
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1,600+ Unicorns
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250 BioTech & Health Investors
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250 AI Investors
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250 Fintech Investors
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Get the Sheet for $50As one of the most active seed investors in its region, Innovation Works provides capital and mentorship to early-stage companies across software, hardware, and robotics. Its specialized programs, including AlphaLab for software and AlphaLab Gear for hardware, offer startups the critical resources and expertise needed to bring their ideas to market.
| Year Founded | 1999 |
| Founders | Lisa Greenleaf |
| Investment Amount | AlphaLab/AlphaLab Gear: $100K convertible note + 2% common equity; Robotics Factory: up to $100K |
| Equity Taken | 2% common equity + convertible note |
| Nº of Investments | 666 |
| Nº of Exits | 54 |
Fueling regional economic growth, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania provides critical capital and business guidance to early-stage technology companies. Their long-standing program connects promising startups with the resources and expert network needed to scale and succeed.
| Year Founded | 1982 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 232 |
| Nº of Exits | 45 |
Focusing on early-stage, tech-enabled startups, Idea Foundry invests in companies poised to make an outsized societal impact. They provide critical funding and resources to help these ventures scale their innovative solutions for social good.
| Year Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 72 |
| Nº of Exits | 15 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 12 |
The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse provides capital and customized support to help form and grow companies across the life sciences sector. They specialize in nurturing early-stage ventures in fields like biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare IT.
| Year Founded | 2001 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 62 |
| Nº of Exits | 13 |
Born from a partnership between Drexel University and the University City Science Center, ic@3401 cultivates a community for early-stage tech and life sciences startups. They provide coworking, incubation, and accelerator services, connecting founders with the investors and resources needed to grow.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Mohamed indera Shah |
| Nº of Investments | 49 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 0 |
AlphaLab helps early-stage tech companies, particularly in software and gaming, rapidly find their footing and build a path to growth. Its nationally ranked program provides founders with the tools and mentorship needed to quickly validate their products and scale their operations.
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Founders | Jim Jen |
| Nº of Investments | 121 |
| Nº of Exits | 7 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 17 |
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs accelerates startups working at the intersection of connectivity, media, and entertainment. Entrepreneurs in the program gain direct access to the corporate expertise and vast resources of Comcast and NBCUniversal to help them build and scale.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 30 |
| Nº of Exits | 4 |
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA provides vital funding and support to the region's tech-based startups and small manufacturers. They help these early-stage companies scale by offering investment capital and access to a network of expert resources.
| Year Founded | 1983 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 33 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
The Life Sciences Greenhouse of Pennsylvania fuels the state's life science industry by investing in promising early-stage companies. Through partnerships with research universities and medical centers, they help bring new technologies from the lab to the market.
| Year Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 19 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
Comcast RISE offers grants, marketing support, and technology makeovers to small businesses, with a focus on helping those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program specifically champions companies owned by people of color and women, providing vital resources to aid their recovery and growth.
| Year Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 498 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
22 Additional Pennsylvania Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
Beyond our main selections, there are many other programs supporting founders across the state. Some of these organizations have roots going back centuries, while others have popped up more recently to meet new needs.
Together, these programs have backed over 100 companies, helping them get started and find their footing. Here’s a look at the other accelerators and incubators helping founders in Pennsylvania.