As urban environments grow more complex and work zones become increasingly hazardous, the need for innovative solutions in mobility and infrastructure safety has never been more urgent. In response to this demand, Metrolla, a startup based in Seattle, has emerged as a trailblazer in using computer vision technology to improve safety in work zones, urban traffic, and railway operations. The company’s journey through the Capital One Accelerator Program and its participation in Dallas Startup Week have played a critical role in shaping its mission, refining its product offerings, and expanding its market presence.
Metrolla, led by CEO Adam Szablya, was one of several standout startups chosen to participate in the Capital One Accelerator Program, which focuses on empowering entrepreneurs in the mobility sector. Through this program, Metrolla received the mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources necessary to sharpen its focus on creating innovative safety solutions using computer vision, edge computing, and machine learning technologies. By the end of the program, Metrolla had made significant strides in refining its business model and positioning itself as a key player in the mobility and infrastructure safety industry.
The Capital One Accelerator Program is a unique, equity-free initiative designed to support startups operating in the mobility space. As one of the few accelerators dedicated to mobility innovation, the program provides participating entrepreneurs with the tools and mentorship needed to develop their business models, prepare for investment, and scale their operations. Since its inception, the program has helped nearly 45 founders refine their ideas and bring their products to market.
The accelerator offers a comprehensive 12-session boot camp that guides entrepreneurs through the critical stages of building a successful business. Participants receive hands-on mentoring from industry experts, access to pro bono consulting services from Capital One’s Pro Bono Growth Consulting Program, and the chance to connect with potential investors and business partners. For startups like Metrolla, the program’s focus on mobility and infrastructure solutions provided an ideal environment to develop cutting-edge safety technologies that address real-world challenges.
Kamlesh Talreja, Chief Technology Officer and SVP for Capital One Financial Services, emphasized the importance of the accelerator’s mission: “We’re empowering founders to dream big, take risks, and ultimately make a difference in the automobility industry and society as a whole.” With this focus on fostering innovation and positive change, the accelerator has become a critical stepping stone for startups looking to disrupt traditional industries.
Metrolla’s journey through the Capital One Accelerator Program is a testament to the company’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to evolving market demands. Initially, Metrolla focused on data collection for autonomous vehicles, leveraging its expertise in computer vision to enhance the accuracy and reliability of autonomous driving systems. However, during the accelerator program, the company recognized a growing need for safety solutions in work zones, urban traffic management, and rail operations—areas that are often underserved by traditional technologies.
As part of its evolution, Metrolla shifted its focus to creating a comprehensive safety solution for these high-risk environments. The company developed a system that uses computer vision, edge computing, and machine learning to monitor traffic entering work zones, detect potential hazards, and alert workers in real time via wearable devices. This system provides a critical layer of situational awareness that can help prevent accidents and injuries, making work zones safer for both workers and drivers.
The decision to pivot from autonomous vehicle technology to infrastructure safety was driven by the realization that existing solutions in the market were not adequately addressing the needs of industries like construction, transportation, and urban development. By focusing on safety in these areas, Metrolla identified a significant opportunity to make a tangible impact while also expanding its market reach.
Throughout the Capital One Accelerator Program, Metrolla benefited from access to an extensive network of mentors, investors, and industry experts. This network provided critical guidance on everything from refining the company’s value proposition to navigating the complexities of scaling a tech startup. For Adam Szablya, the program’s emphasis on storytelling and sales was particularly impactful. As a technical founder, Szablya initially struggled with communicating Metrolla’s value proposition to potential customers in a clear and compelling way. However, through the mentorship provided during the accelerator, he was able to reframe how he approached customer conversations and investor pitches.
“The biggest takeaway for me was learning how to tell our story in a way that resonates not just with investors, but with the end customers who will benefit most from our technology,” Szablya explained. “The program really helped me shift my mindset from focusing on the technical aspects of our solution to highlighting the real-world benefits for users.”
In addition to sales and storytelling, the accelerator also provided Metrolla with the opportunity to participate in Dallas Startup Week, a high-profile event where startups present their business ideas to investors, judges, and industry leaders. This event serves as the culmination of the accelerator program, giving participants a platform to showcase their innovations and compete for funding.
At Dallas Startup Week, Metrolla’s innovative approach to infrastructure safety captured the attention of both judges and investors. The company’s pitch focused on the real-world impact of its technology, highlighting how its computer vision system can reduce accidents in work zones and improve safety in cities and transportation systems. Metrolla’s pitch was well-received, earning the company second place in the competition and a $10,000 prize.
This recognition was not only a financial boost for Metrolla, but also an important validation of the company’s pivot toward infrastructure safety. The prize money will help fund the development of additional hardware infrastructure, allowing Metrolla to extend its runway and continue building out its safety solutions. More importantly, the exposure gained from Dallas Startup Week has opened new doors for Metrolla in terms of investor interest and potential partnerships.
“The prize money is helpful, but the real value has been the connections we’ve made,” Szablya said. “We’re now in a stronger position to secure our seed round and expand our operations.”
As Metrolla moves forward, the company is focused on scaling its work zone safety solutions and expanding into new markets. The initial pilot programs, which have already been launched in road construction projects, have demonstrated the effectiveness of Metrolla’s system in reducing risks for workers. The next phase of growth will involve expanding these solutions to additional use cases, such as urban traffic management, railway safety, and crowd analytics.
Metrolla’s vision extends beyond work zones and into the broader realm of smart cities. As cities around the world invest in smart infrastructure to improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, and optimize resource allocation, Metrolla’s technology is well-positioned to play a key role. By integrating its computer vision systems into city infrastructure, Metrolla aims to provide real-time data that can improve urban planning, traffic signal optimization, and pedestrian safety.
Additionally, the company is exploring opportunities to partner with municipalities, construction firms, and infrastructure companies to bring its solutions to larger-scale projects. By positioning itself as a leader in infrastructure safety technology, Metrolla is poised to make a significant impact on industries that are in critical need of innovative safety solutions.
Metrolla’s journey through the Capital One Accelerator Program and its success at Dallas Startup Week have been pivotal moments in the company’s growth. With a clear focus on infrastructure safety and a proven technology that addresses real-world challenges, Metrolla is well on its way to becoming a leader in the mobility and infrastructure sectors. The company’s innovative use of computer vision and AI to enhance safety in work zones, urban environments, and rail operations is a game-changer for industries that rely on safe and efficient operations.
As Metrolla continues to scale its operations and build out its product offerings, it remains committed to improving safety in high-risk environments and contributing to the development of smarter, safer cities. The foundation laid during the Capital One Accelerator Program has set the stage for even greater achievements, and Metrolla is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for infrastructure safety solutions in the years to come.
