“If PASSION Drives You, Let REASON Hold The Reins.”  Ben Franklin’s quote very aptly describes this year at the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Passion is what makes our work happen. We seek passion in the management teams of prospective clients. We exhibited passion in responding to pressing regional economic development needs by finding a way to expand the Ben Franklin TechVentures business incubator despite severe cuts to our budget. But the key to harnessing the incredible power of passion is to temper it. A modicum of real-world prudence provides balance and must be integrated into planning and implementation. All of us must “let reason hold the reins.” Continue Reading ...

“Entrepreneur” is not merely a synonym for the founder of a start-up company. Entrepreneurship is a state of mind, an attitude, sometimes an innate drive. Entrepreneurship is the capacity to identify and actively seek unmet needs in the market; the expertise and passion to create the products or services that respond to those needs; the willingness to tolerate and embrace risk; and the personal motivation and stamina to work tremendously long and hard to bring the dream to fruition. Continue Reading ...

Bringing Energy to Economic Development is the theme of the 2009 Ben Franklin Annual Report. The report describes 2009 developments in Ben Franklin’s work in energy, TechVentures, the Incubator Network and client activities, as well as lists the year’s investments, among other news. Continue Reading ...