This episode starts off with a shot of the sky and a flash of lightning. This is a direct nod to Barry Allen (aka The Flash), who is introduced this episode.
This episode was originally intended to be a back door pilot for the The Flash (2014), but the CW decided to give the show its own stand-alone pilot.
Just before the 6 minute mark, Barry Allen describes the stolen industrial centrifuge as "a Kord Enterprises 2BX-900". In the DC-verse Kord Enterprises is run by Ted Kord, AKA The Blue Beetle.
While Barry is observing chemicals in the lab with Felicity, there is a noticeable thunder crack and lightning that catches Barry's attention. This is a direct nod to how he eventually gets his powers as The Flash, being struck by lightning in a chemistry lab.
Barry tells Felicity a couple of times that he's not a very good dancer; however, the actor who plays Barry, Grant Gustin, is an incredibly talented dancer. He started tap dancing when he was 8 years old. He's also a talented singer and played the recurring role of Sebastian Smythe on the third season of Glee (2009). Grant had originally auditioned for a role as a tap dancer, but he didn't get the part.