PITTSBURGH, PA (October 4, 2021) Applications are open today for the seventh cohort of PGH Lab, a Peduto Administration program run by the Department of Innovation and Performance to create partnerships between city government and local startups.
PGH Lab connects local startup companies with the City of Pittsburgh and local authorities to test new products and services in a real world environment for up to six months. In the program, startups are encouraged to test, gain valuable market feedback and iterate. In turn, the program gives city government the opportunity to explore new ways to use technology and services to make government more efficient, transparent, sustainable and inclusive.
PGH Lab was established in 2016 and the City and partnering agencies have successfully completed six cycles engaging over 30 local startups who have provided innovative pilot projects from waste management to immigrant inclusion solutions.
In 2020, PGH Lab focused on technology solutions through an equity lens with six of the eight participating companies owned by underrepresented communities in tech including race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQIA+ diversity and people with disabilities. Companies spent a total of 2,475 hours testing ideas and solutions with city departments and agencies. One company, pathVu, worked with six departments and agencies to deliver a complete sidewalk inventory, including ADA compliance, in Homewood and Downtown. Additional previous projects can be found here.
PGH Lab 7.0 will continue to prioritize entrepreneurs and solutions that promote equity. This round, the City is seeking solutions based on the following categories:
- Resident Engagement to improve and increase accessibility of local government to citizens with solutions that enhance communication.
- Improve Operations through collecting and analyzing city and municipal partner data with measurable results that will improve civic technology and results in the community. Pilots will also help Pittsburgh continue to develop as a “smart city” by exploring newer and smarter technologies as well as data to support economic development, quality of life and improved accessibility, especially for people with disabilities.
- Climate Change and Environment pilots to allow Pittsburgh’s continued leadership in sustainability and resiliency and work toward the Climate Action Plan, such as in food waste management, circular economy or reuse/creating new products out of waste and recycling streams.
- Addressing City Challenges to create a pilot to directly address an internal city process or operation.
- Open Call for a pilot project that does not fall under the previous categories but will benefit the City of Pittsburgh and participating agencies.
Applications are currently open until November 1 and can be found here.
