AardvarQ’s AppStore Framework enables embedded device manufacturers to offer an innovative user experience for their B2B customers via a fully configurable online storefront.  In addition to providing a steady flow of valuable productivity applications for their devices, AardvarQ enables device manufacturers to obtain detailed usage profiles for their installed base through its Web-based Device Dashboard.

“AardvarQ is a great addition to the Innovation Works portfolio,” said Richard Lunak, President and CEO for Innovation Works.  ”Their AppStore Framework provides a very innovative approach for embedded device manufacturers to stay connected with their installed base.”

Commercial devices are regularly purchased in bulk by large field service organizations with the assumption of a five- to ten-year usable life.  Once shipped, manufacturers often lose track of these devices as they are assigned to a geographically dispersed mobile workforce.  Whether a diagnostic, medical, point-of-sale or industrial control device, maintaining connectivity plays a crucial role in a manufacturer’s ability to manage a positive customer experience.

AardvarQ uniquely addresses this challenge by providing a virtual channel between a device manufacturer and their installed base of commercial devices.  Device users are driven to the manufacturer’s branded AppStore to browse and install a steady stream of new/updated productivity applications.  Upon accessing the AppStore, each device uploads a usage log that details the device’s location, usage and performance.

“The Innovation Works funding is a stamp of approval for our technology and our team’s ability to grow the business,” says Greg Quiggle, CEO of AardvarQ.  ”Our growing customer base needs to stay connected with their installed base of commercial devices.  AardvarQ’s unique ability to log the usage of deployed devices enables manufacturers to (1) fine tune their feature sets, (2) proactively address performance issues in the field and (3) offer targeted on-the-job training aids.”

The event will feature the following industry leaders:

• Catherine Mott, Founding Partner of BlueTree Capital Group and BlueTree Allied Angels
• Frank Demmler, Director of The Entrepreneurial Services Team at Innovation Works
• Ed Engler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pittsburgh Equity Partners
• Matt Harbaugh, Chief Investment Officer at Innovation Works
• Andy Kuzneski III, Founding Partner of Greyhawk Capital
• Mel Pirchesky, Founder of Eagle Ventures
• Steve Robinson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pittsburgh Equity Partners

Learn more right here.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and Innovation Works are teaming up to convene a presentation and discussion about the nature and direction of President Obama’s recently announced Innovation Agenda. As special guest speakers, we will be hosting Ed Paisley and Jonathan Sallet, authors of Geography of Innovation: The Federal Government and the Growth of Regional Innovation Clusters.

These influential authors will discuss the role of the U.S. Economic Development Administration in coordinating innovation policies with the White House and the potential impact of those policies on Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

Don’t miss what promises to be an informative and thought provoking discussion of America’s emerging innovation strategy. Watch it right here.

AlphaLab is now accepting applications for its Summer/Fall 2009 session that officially starts on June 15th, 2009! Here are some important changes to note for this new application cycle: 

- The lab is  introducing an Early Action portion to the application period where applicants can be apply and be accepted early for the AlphaLab program.

- Early Action applicants will be invited to a meet-n-greet event with AlphaLab staff where they can interact and ask questions.

- Early Action candidates that are accepted to AlphaLab will be able to get an early start on working on their companies and have early access to AlphaLab resources.

- If an applicant is not accepted as part of AlphaLab Early Action, they will still be considered as part of the general application period.

-The Early Access deadline is April 17th, 2009. The general application deadline is May 15th, 2009. For more information about the application process (including Early Action) and to access the AlphaLab application, visit: http://www.alphalab.org.

AlphaLab is a catalyst for launching the next generation of software, entertainment technology and Internet-related companies. Created by Innovation Works, one of the nation’s most active seed-stage investors, AlphaLab provides funding, free office space, expert business advisors and services through an intensive program in Pittsburgh. AlphaLab helps companies rapidly develop their technology, gain user feedback from early product releases, develop go-to-market strategies, and move toward successful commercial launch.

It’s going to be an action-packed show as hosts Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting put local tech companies in the spotlight. This week’s guests include:

Barbara VanKirk of IQ Inc.

Sam Sarnicke and Gary Giegrich of Wavecam

Mike Woycheck of IW AlphaLab

Dave Patti of the PA Business Council

Nathan Martin of DeepLocal

Tune in or stream it live at Talkshoe.com (search “Pittsburgh Business Radio) or Pittsburgh Business Radio.

Yup, Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting will be in the studio this afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. interviewing industry honches from all over Pittsburgh’s technology and entrepreneurial community. Guests will include:

Julie Meder of The Webb Law Firm

Eve Picker of No Wall Productions

Chris Pacione of MAYA Design

Rich Lunak and Frank Demmler of Innovation Works

Don’t forget, you can stream the show live or download podcasts of previous shows at Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio.

Here is a brief look at each of AlphaLab’s current portfolio companies:

BlenderHouse creates targeted applications based on its social recommendation technology, which enables friends to exchange trusted recommendations and feedback during key life decisions.

This startup applies a structured approach to socially driven decision-making processes. By focusing on existing social networks, such as Facebook, BlenderHouse can reach a large number of already connected users in a highly targeted and efficient way. BlenderHouse provides advertisers with a way to join the decision-making process overtly, proactively, and in an engaging and useful dialogue. www.blenderhouse.com

Chogger is a Web comic platform where users can easily view, create and share Web comics. The explosive growth in user-generated content across different media types presents an opportunity for Chogger to establish Web comics as a new user-generated medium, just as YouTube did for videos or Blogger did for blogs. Despite the lack of a popular tool for creating and viewing comics, Web comics have been on the rise in recent years. www.chogger.com

The aim of Crono is to save people time.

Crono’s technology is capable of learning user preferences, and is specifically focused on learning to act on behalf of users. Crono’s personal agent platform will enable multiple applications that automate complex interactions and tasks.

Crono’s first offering, Skedit, is a personalized assistant agent for meeting scheduling. The Skedit agent’s sophisticated negotiation and learning engine preserves privacy, satisfies preferences, and saves time when scheduling with one or more parties. www.mycrono.com

GameHuddle is a social gaming community that gives players an innovative way to connect with the gaming universe.

Gamers are increasingly frustrated by their inability to meet other players who fit their game style, the difficulty in managing online team play, and the lack of relevant game reviews and news. GameHuddle provides a solution to these problems with a series of tools that help create a more personalized gaming experience for its users. www.gamehuddle.com

Skill-Life is developing an online game in which teenagers develop their financial literacy and earn real-world rewards by leading the virtual life of an avatar.

The product provides a fun, efficient, and standards-based tool to educators and parents seeking ways to reach young people about money. The timing has never been better- 40 states now have personal finance standards and nine out of 10 parents want their children to know more about money! www.skill-life.com

Sonya Labs is creating the “Google” of legal research by developing sophisticated search algorithms and research management tools, tailored specifically for the legal industry. The proliferation of online case information and a new generation of law students and professionals who expect easy-to-use natural language search present an opportunity to disrupt the existing legal research providers whose solutions are expensive and hard-to-use.

Sonya Lab’s search engine, Enfacto, is currently live and acts as a reference source for case information appearing on legal blogs and Wikipedia. www.sonyalabs.com

Olympus

Prof. Lenore Blum, Founding Director, Project Olympus, “Looking Ahead”

New from the School of Computer Science (SCS)

Prof. Randy Bryant, Dean of the School of Computer Science, “Cloud Computing”

Prof. Jessica Hodgins (CS and Robotics), Director Disney, Pgh, “Disney Pittsburgh”

Start-ups and Spin-offs

Jessica Trybus, MET (ETC), FACULTY ETC, CEO & Founder Etcetera Edutainment, “Etcetera Edutainment”

Matt Humphrey, BS ’07 (CS) &MBA ’08 (Tepper), coFounder Kickball Labs, “Views from a Pgh native, CMU grad & Olympus Alum”

Olympus Connects

Rich Lunak, BS (ECE), President & CEO Innovation Works, “Regional Technology: past, present and future”
A reception will follow.

Project Olympus Homecoming Show and Tell 6

Collaborative Innovation Center, Carnegie Mellon
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
3:30 – 5 p.m.

About Project Olympus

Project Olympus is a new initiative designed to create and sustain Next Generation Computing innovation for Western Pennsylvania. It aims to build an infrastructure and foster a climate that will enable talent to take root and flourish in the region-and bring to fruition projects and ideas born here.

Company: Carnegie Mellon University Web Site: www.cmu.edu Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Description: Carnegie Mellon is a national research university of about 7,500 students and 3,000 faculty, research and administrative staff. Carnegie Technical School was founded in 1900 in Pittsburgh by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Read more.   Company: Etcetera Edutainment Web Site: www.etceteraedutainment.com Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Description: Etcetera Edutainment develops immersive virtual training solutions. Etcetera’s computer-based experiential simulations increase the efficacy of knowledge transfer and skill training, which improves retention, reduces the rate of errors and disorganization, and cuts productivity losses that constitute major expenses for corporations and government. Read more.   Company: Innovation Works Web Site: www.innovationworks.org Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Description:Innovation Works (IW) strives to increase the success rate of the region’s technology companies by providing business expertise, direct investment and hands-on support. As part of a collaborative network of organizations, including angel networks, venture capitalists, foundations, and public agencies, IW is working to create a vibrant community of innovative companies in southwestern Pennsylvania that will enable our region to succeed in the global economy. Read more.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 15, with the selection committee reviewing applications as they are received (so get started early!)

About AlphaLab

AlphaLab provides the essential elements for startup companies to get off the ground successfully: funding, space, advisors, services, and a supportive entrepreneurial community. By combining these ingredients in an intensive 20-week program, AlphaLab provides companies a unique opportunity to accelerate their growth and development. AlphaLab is a program of Innovation Works.

Company: Innovation Works Web Site: www.innovationworks.org Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Description:Innovation Works (IW) strives to increase the success rate of the region’s technology companies by providing business expertise, direct investment and hands-on support. As part of a collaborative network of organizations, including angel networks, venture capitalists, foundations, and public agencies, IW is working to create a vibrant community of innovative companies in southwestern Pennsylvania that will enable our region to succeed in the global economy. Read more.