AlphaLab Health Selects Five Startups for 2026 Cohort

PITTSBURGH — AlphaLab Health, the nationally recognized accelerator jointly operated by Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Innovation Works, has selected five companies to join its 2026 cohort.

Selected startups will receive up to $100,000 in investment, along with dedicated clinical mentorship provided by the partnership with AHN. In addition, the companies receive hands-on support focused on customer acquisition, founder-led sales, fundraising preparation, and product-market fit. Founders also participate in an immersive, on-site cohort experience designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and rapid execution. Additionally, AlphaLab Health provides exposure to a broader review of expert opinions needed for successful commercialization including finance, legal and administrative mentors is designed to improve the likelihood of success.

Since its inception in 2021, AlphaLab Health alone has invested in 31 companies, which have gone on to secure over $65 million in follow-on funding.

“This record-breaking number truly underscores the growing success of the AlphaLab program and its vital role in fostering groundbreaking solutions, especially within health innovation,” said Jeff Cohen, MD, chief physician executive, community health and innovation for Allegheny Health Network. “We are particularly eager to see the advancements that will emerge from this group, enhancing growing industries and ultimately improving the health and well-being of our communities.”

The 2026 cohort includes:

AlphaLab Health

• Concordare Trials: An enterprise protocol operating system that standardizes and digitizes clinical research guidelines
• Mandeville Therapeutics: A biotech company developing small-molecule therapies for chronic kidney disease
• Medmiro: A medical device startup focused on reducing postoperative complications associated with surgical tubes
• Precision Neuroscopics: A company developing next-generation EEG technology for brain monitoring
• Visionaire Products, Inc.: A medtech company improving care for ocular disease through advanced diagnostic technology

“AlphaLab Health provides the necessary tools that entrepreneurs need and elevates companies to its next phase of growth,” said Leanne Labriola, President and Founder of Visionaire Products, Inc. “Returning to AlphaLab with my second company validates our business path and provides us with the laboratory space that we need for product testing.”

Across the cohort, founders are addressing complex healthcare challenges through innovations in clinical research infrastructure, medical devices, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. Many are operating in highly regulated environments where advancing from research to clinical validation requires both scientific rigor and strong commercialization strategy.

“Our region continues to be a leader in life sciences, and we’re seeing a breadth of new entrepreneurs who are tackling some of the biggest challenges in therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health and medical devices,” said Jeanne Iasella, Managing Director of Life Sciences at Innovation Works. “Our team is eager to work with this new cohort and help them ensure their solutions end up in the hands of patients and clinicians.”

Learn more about the AlphaLab Health 2026 cohort.

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About AlphaLab

AlphaLab helps startups find customers, capital, and community. Established by Innovation Works in 2008 as its first accelerator, AlphaLab offers six-month programs that include capital investments and customized guidance from a staff of entrepreneurs. Across its industry-specific programs, AlphaLab has invested in more than 250 companies, leading to $1.3 billion in follow-on funding, over 20 exits, and two unicorns. Learn more at alphalab.org.

About Innovation Works

Innovation Works is one of the most active early-stage investors in the country and the most active in Pennsylvania. Since its inception of the seed fund in 1999, Innovation Works has invested in over 780 companies that have gone on to raise $3.3 billion in follow-on funding. Portfolio companies have generated and retained over 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Innovation Works is part of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners network, which has catalyzed economic growth over the last 30 years by providing access to capital and networks that help foster innovation and technology-based economic development in Pennsylvania. Learn more at innovationworks.org.