This is one of Pittsburgh Inno's 10 Startups to Watch in 2023. These budding enterprises have been selected following suggestions made by experts in the startup community and an evaluation by editorial staff at Pittsburgh Inno and the Pittsburgh Business Times. A list of all 10 Startups to Watch in 2023 is now available to read online.
VELO.AI Inc.
About the company: VELO.AI Inc. is a startup based in Hazelwood Green that develops smart-sensor technologies to improve road safety for cyclists and others. The startup aims to integrate autonomous vehicle technology into consumer products to make streets safer for everyone. Its first product, Copilot, is an AI-powered bike light and camera that alerts both cyclists and drivers of dangerous situations to prevent crashes before they occur. VELO.AI has been beta-testing Copilot with a group of Pittsburgh bicyclists for the past six months, collecting road data and testing algorithms, and it plans to launch the first commercial product version of Copilot in the summer of 2023. CEO Clark Haynes is a former team lead at autonomous vehicle firms Uber ATG and Aurora Innovation Inc., while CTO Micol Marchetti-Bowick also worked as a tech lead manager at both firms. The startup, which was founded in 2022, currently employs three workers.
Why we’re watching: VELO.AI’s mission to improve road safety through the use of smart sensors and autonomous vehicle technology is particularly relevant in today’s world, where the number of accidents caused by distracted driving and other factors remains an ongoing issue. The startup’s Copilot product has the potential to significantly reduce the number of bicycle accidents on roads and make commuting safer for all. It is currently conducting a preseed round and has received investment from the Richard King Mellon Foundation’s social impact fund, as well as Reinforced Ventures.
What’s their vision for 2023: “We’re excited to launch our product and share more about how we are using autonomous vehicle tech to make our streets safer for bicyclists,” Haynes said. “But beyond that, we’re building upon Copilot’s tech and have a few more product announcements we plan to make before the end of the year. Additionally, we are looking to partner with organizations throughout the city and region to promote safe streets for all.”
