AI for Good

AlphaLab is a nationally recognized startup accelerator based in Pittsburgh, supporting early-stage companies across software, hardware, life sciences, and robotics. Founded in 2008 and powered by Innovation Works, AlphaLab provides founders with capital, mentorship, and a structured program to accelerate growth. The platform operates multiple specialized tracks, including AlphaLab (software), AlphaLab Gear (hardware), AlphaLab Health (life sciences), and Robotics Factory, offering tailored support depending on the company’s sector. AlphaLab has played a key role in building Pittsburgh into a leading innovation hub, helping startups move from idea to scalable venture.

Cerulean Ventures is a $10 million pre-seed venture capital firm that backs founders building asset-light, rapid scaling software companies focused on climate solutions. They specifically target companies applying AI to build exponential solutions for nature and climate change. Their mission is to bring climate solutions to market quickly while fighting greenwashing and moving the climate economy beyond the green premium. Unlike traditional climate investors who focus on niche markets with green premiums or first-of-a-kind moonshots with decades-long timelines, Cerulean takes a different approach by identifying systemic leverage points where proprietary data, compute, AI scaling, and fintech solutions can rapidly scale. Cerulean matters in the ecosystem because they focus on transforming large economic sectors that have been resistant to digital transformation, including mining, niche manufacturing, soft tropical commodities, pharma supply chains, and emerging markets of natural capital and biodiversity. They position themselves as addressing the gap in climate investing by targeting systemic change rather than status quo business model disruptions.

Climate Collective is a leading innovation network that specializes in putting digital technologies to work for climate and nature at scale. They focus on connecting AI and digital tools with environmental impact, running innovation programs and building AI fluency across climate and nature nonprofits. The organization operates by connecting innovators, nonprofits, and global leaders to turn technology into lasting climate and nature impact. They accomplish this through running innovation programs, building AI fluency across climate and nature organizations, and convening sustainability leaders and technologists to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. Climate Collective plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by bridging the gap between technology innovation and environmental impact. Their flagship AI Explorers Summit brings together 100 leaders annually and is co-hosted by major organizations like Conservation International, UNDP, and TechChange, demonstrating their significant influence in shaping how AI is responsibly deployed for climate and nature solutions.

Fast Forward is a nonprofit accelerator focused on supporting tech nonprofits building scalable technology solutions for social and environmental impact. Since 2014, the organization has helped mission-driven founders grow technology platforms addressing challenges across education, healthcare, climate, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and digital inclusion. Through accelerator programs, funding, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem support, Fast Forward empowers nonprofits using technology and AI to improve lives at scale.

Ford Foundation is one of the world’s largest philanthropic foundations, focused on advancing social justice, reducing inequality, strengthening democratic values, and expanding human dignity globally. Founded in 1936, the foundation supports nonprofits, movements, institutions, artists, researchers, and community leaders working to address systemic social, political, and economic challenges. The Ford Foundation operates across multiple regions worldwide and funds initiatives spanning democracy, racial justice, economic inclusion, technology and society, gender equity, arts and culture, journalism, and human rights.

Google.org is Google's philanthropic arm that connects nonprofits to funding and additional resources to aid underserved communities worldwide. The organization focuses on three key areas: Knowledge, Skills & Learning, Scientific Progress, and Stronger Communities, leveraging Google's innovation and technology to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone. The organization operates by providing funding, programs, and technical expertise to accelerate the missions of organizations around the globe. Google.org brings the best of Google's resources, research, and innovation to support initiatives that unlock AI's full potential to advance society and improve lives. Their approach combines direct funding with Google's technological capabilities and expertise. Google.org plays a significant role in the philanthropic ecosystem by bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and social impact. The organization matters because it represents one of the world's largest tech companies dedicating substantial resources to address society's biggest challenges, from reducing traffic congestion and tracking wildfires to expanding cybersecurity opportunities and supporting veterans' mental health.

Kapor Foundation is a social impact foundation working at the intersection of racial justice and technology. The organization focuses on building a more equitable technology ecosystem by expanding access to computer science education, diversifying entrepreneurship and venture capital, advancing equitable technology policy, and supporting inclusive innovation. Through research, grantmaking, fellowships, policy advocacy, and ecosystem development, the Kapor Foundation supports initiatives designed to increase economic opportunity and representation for Black, Latine, and Native communities across the technology sector.

Longview Philanthropy is a philanthropic advisory and grantmaking organization that helps major donors maximize the long-term impact of their giving. Through research, donor education, grant recommendations, and specialized funding vehicles, Longview supports philanthropy focused on addressing global catastrophic risks and safeguarding humanity’s future. The organization works with philanthropists, researchers, policymakers, and institutions to identify high-impact funding opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence governance, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, nuclear risk reduction, and other challenges with significant long-term consequences for society.

The MacArthur Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation focused on advancing a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world through grantmaking, impact investments, fellowships, and institutional support. The foundation funds creative individuals, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and mission-driven initiatives working across climate solutions, democracy, journalism, criminal justice reform, technology and society, global security, and community development. Known globally for the MacArthur Fellows Program, often referred to as the “Genius Grants,” the foundation combines long-term systems thinking with bold investments designed to address complex social and environmental challenges.

Moonshot Platform is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership accelerator and global community supporting young changemakers closest to the world’s most urgent challenges. Through its two-year Moonshot Journey, the organization provides grants, mentorship, scholarships, capacity building, peer community, and access to global networks that help emerging leaders scale social and environmental impact. Founded by Yemi A.D., Moonshot Platform supports young innovators building projects, nonprofits, startups, and community initiatives across climate, education, health, economic opportunity, technology, and social justice. Its programs include the Moonshot Awards, Moonshot Camp, Moonshot Summit, Impact Labs, and mentor pathways.

Mozilla Foundation is a global nonprofit organization working to build a healthier internet and more trustworthy technology ecosystem. As the parent organization of Mozilla Corporation, the foundation supports open-source innovation, ethical AI, digital rights, internet health, and community-driven technology initiatives. Mozilla Foundation funds and supports technologists, artists, researchers, educators, and activists building alternatives to harmful digital systems and advancing technology that prioritizes people, transparency, equity, and public interest.

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm and impact organization focused on shaping a more equitable, inclusive, and human-centered digital future. Founded by Pierre Omidyar and Pam Omidyar, the organization invests in entrepreneurs, nonprofits, researchers, policymakers, and ecosystem builders working at the intersection of technology, governance, business, and culture. Omidyar Network supports initiatives that promote shared power, digital trust, responsible AI, economic inclusion, civic participation, and democratic resilience in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Oncology Ventures is a healthcare-focused venture capital firm investing in commercially validated startups transforming cancer care through data, technology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare infrastructure innovation. Founded by cancer survivor Ben Freeberg, the firm focuses on solving systemic challenges across the oncology ecosystem, from early detection and diagnostics to patient navigation, care delivery, and survivorship. The firm backs companies building the non-drug infrastructure of cancer care, helping improve outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and increase access to evidence-based treatment for patients across the healthcare system.

Pay it Forward Ventures (PIF) builds better lives for billions by investing in source-solving rather than symptom-solving. They fund and found ventures that create new paradigms across financial technology, health, energy, and digital infrastructure — and donate 20% of GP profits to philanthropy because they believe in paying it forward.

Praxis is a global venture-building ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, and culture makers motivated by faith to address major social and cultural challenges. Through accelerators, fellowships, mentorship, and community-building programs, Praxis helps founders build “redemptive ventures” focused on renewal, restoration, and long-term societal impact. The organization supports both for-profit and nonprofit ventures across sectors including education, healthcare, technology, community development, social innovation, and ethical entrepreneurship.

ReGen Ventures is an impact-focused venture capital firm that invests in foundational regenerative technologies designed to power a future of abundance. They focus on four core investment areas: clean energy, planetary intelligence, programmable matter, and adaptive robotics, partnering with founders who are building transformative technologies from the atomic to planetary scale. The firm operates with a mission to reimagine the world by supporting technologies that make regeneration inevitable, enabling infinite growth and prosperity on a finite planet. They take a hands-on approach with founders, providing comprehensive support that ranges from business modeling to personal wellness, emphasizing long-term sustainable returns over short-term wins. ReGen Ventures positions itself as an innovator in the investment space, paving a new path for what investments should be by focusing on root causes rather than symptoms of environmental challenges. They are building what they call a "ReGenerative Future" where climate change is reframed as an opportunity for transformation, backing founders with unreasonable ambition who alter understanding of what's possible in addressing planetary challenges.

The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world’s largest and most influential philanthropic organizations, focused on advancing human well-being through large-scale investments in energy access, food systems, health, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and emerging technologies. Founded in 1913, the foundation partners with governments, nonprofits, corporations, and local communities to tackle systemic global challenges through innovative finance, data, and technology-driven solutions. The foundation is known for making ambitious “big bets” aimed at improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in underserved and economically vulnerable communities.

Siegel Family Endowment is a philanthropic foundation focused on understanding and shaping the impact of technology on society. Founded by David Siegel, the organization funds research, nonprofits, civic initiatives, and community-driven innovation at the intersections of learning, work, infrastructure, and emerging technology. Using an inquiry-driven grantmaking approach inspired by the scientific method, Siegel Family Endowment supports organizations and researchers exploring how technology can strengthen equity, opportunity, and public-interest outcomes in rapidly changing social and economic systems.

The Smart Family Fund is a family-led philanthropic fund focused on supporting early-stage nonprofits and social entrepreneurs tackling meaningful social challenges. The fund provides first-time grants, mentorship, and strategic guidance to organizations that show strong potential for scalable impact but may not yet have the traction or data required to secure larger institutional funding. By acting as an early believer in emerging nonprofit leaders, the Smart Family Fund helps organizations validate programs, strengthen operations, and prepare for long-term growth and larger philanthropic partnerships.

SOSV is a global venture capital firm and accelerator founded in 1995, operating one of the most active deep tech and life sciences investment programs in the world. The firm runs multiple accelerator programs, including HAX for hardware and robotics, IndieBio for life sciences and biotech, and Orbit for climate and sustainability — providing intensive company-building support alongside early-stage capital. With over $1.5 billion in AUM and a portfolio exceeding 1,000 companies across more than 70 countries, SOSV occupies a distinctive position in the venture landscape: a programmatic investor that takes companies from idea stage through to growth and beyond. The firm's accelerator model means it is often the first institutional check into a company, with follow-on capability through later rounds. SOSV has a strong impact orientation across its portfolio, with climate, food systems, health, and sustainability representing a significant share of its investments. Its programs in particular have become known as launchpads for companies working on hard scientific and engineering problems that require more than capital to succeed.

The UNICEF Venture Fund is UNICEF’s innovation investment vehicle that provides equity-free funding and support to early-stage frontier technology startups in emerging markets. The fund invests in open source solutions that have the potential to improve outcomes for children and young people globally. Focused on technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, climate technology, digital public infrastructure, data systems, and emerging technologies, the fund backs entrepreneurs building scalable solutions in countries where UNICEF operates. Beyond funding, portfolio companies receive mentorship, technical assistance, and access to UNICEF’s global network of partners, experts, and country offices. A core differentiator of the UNICEF Venture Fund is its commitment to open source technology and Digital Public Goods, ensuring that innovations can be adapted, reused, and scaled to benefit communities worldwide. Since launching, the fund has supported startups across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other emerging technology ecosystems.