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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2024 |
Olga George
olga.george@pittsburghpa.gov
412-627-0679 |
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Department of Innovation and Performance Announces Launch of PGH Lab Cohort 10.0 Applications
Applications are officially open and will be accepted until September 27, 2024
Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the Department of Innovation and Performance announced the launch of PGH Lab 10.0 Cohort applications on the City’s Open Gov platform. Founded in 2016, PGH Lab has allowed numerous tech entrepreneurs to test their products and develop their businesses in partnership with city government. Beginning with Cohort 9.0, the Gainey Administration added funding to the program to allow the city to act as a “first customer” for these burgeoning businesses by providing participants with a $25,000 stipend, removing barriers to participation and increasing the competitiveness for available slots. This successful “first customer” approach will be continued with Cohort 10.0.
PGH Lab is designed to give businesses the opportunity to pilot products and services, gain valuable feedback, and build a network. The program is a proving ground on how to best serve residents through innovation of local government services with an emphasis on new technologies that are more efficient, transparent, sustainable, and inclusive. Applications for Cohort 10.0 are officially open and will be accepted until September 27, 2024.
“The PGH Lab program provides local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to test and showcase the quality of their products, while granting them access to positively impact city government. Part of ensuring that our residents are able to thrive is providing them with access to future-forward and community building opportunities. I hope companies use this program to grow and work with us as we seek to move the city forward in an inclusive, smart, and sustainable manner,” said Mayor Ed Gainey.
Businesses that are ready to pilot a product or service that can help the City of Pittsburgh address the following priority areas are encouraged to apply:
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Process improvement and optimization
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Sustainability and environment
PGH Lab 9.0 Cohort featured four companies (AiMiLi, Noteful, Qarar, and Velo. Ai) that worked directly with the Department of Innovation and Performance, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Office of Management and Budget: Procurement Division, and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. These partnerships enabled the city to test the installation of fiber optic cabling, music education for residents of all ages, increase the accuracy of vendor total cost reports, and increase alternative transit safety while mapping the most frequently used routes in the city.
The projects supported by PGH Lab Cohort 9.0 assisted the City in moving toward its goal of improving residents' equitable access to resources, test new improvements and optimizations, while equitably including and engaging with residents, and increasing the overall safety of alternate transit. An overview of the work of the PGH Lab 9.0 Cohort can be found on the City Channel’s YouTube page.
To apply for the PGH Lab 10.0 Cohort, please visit: pghlab.pittsburghpa.gov before September 27, 2024. A virtual Pre-Bid and Match meeting will take place on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 11am. Information regarding the project and to rsvp to receive the virtual link can be found here. The PGH Lab 10.0 Cohort pilot will begin January 2025. Additional questions about the program can be submitted to pghlab@pittsburghpa.gov.
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