Ben Franklin TechVentures is a nationally acclaimed high-tech workspace and community for early-stage companies. Located on the Mountaintop campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the 129,000-square-foot facility addresses the growing need for incubator space and affordable wet laboratory facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The facility is uniquely situated to meet the needs of emerging technology-oriented businesses, including the life sciences. Ben Franklin TechVentures brings new life to an historic facility that was once the seat of research and innovation for Bethlehem Steel, one of the most famous industrial companies of the 20th century.
General Information
Website | www.bftechventures.org |
Location | Mountaintop Campus, Lehigh University 116 Research Drive Bethlehem, PA 18017 (Directions) |
Year Started | Ben Franklin Business Incubator (1983) Moved to larger building, Ben Franklin TechVentures (2007) Ben Franklin TechVentures2 expansion opened (2011) Ben Franklin West Wing expansion opened (2017) |
Examples of Successful Graduates | CICLON/Texas Instruments Computer Aid, Inc. IQE OraSure Technologies Saladax Biomedical |
Contact | Anthony Durante, Manager 116 Research Drive Bethlehem, PA 18015 610.758.5240 adurante@nep.benfranklin.org |
Tax Benefit Status | PA Keystone Innovation Zone |
General Facility Features
Size | 60,000+ square feet of rentable space |
Rentable Sizes | 250 to 1,230 square feet |
Wet Lab Space | 11,000+ square feet |
Number of Floors | Five |
Ceiling Height | 9.5 feet (offices), 12 feet (labs) |
Nature of Space | High-tech office and wet lab space |
Loading Dock | Yes, plus three passenger elevators and one large freight elevator with four-ton capacity |
Parking | 255 spaces |
Handicappped Accessible | Yes |
Security | 24-hour keyless access entry system with video surveillance |
Energy Conservation | LEED Gold certified building with photovoltaic solar panels on roof and state-of-the-art Lutron energy management and light harvesting technologies |
University Resources | Access to the facilities, equipment, staff and students of Lehigh University |
Shared Tenant Resources
Conference Rooms | 15, with electronic scheduling; access to the Innovation Institute with 10,000+ square feet of conference, technology, and food service space for up to 300 guests |
A/V Equipment | Projectors, screens, plasma displays throughout building, video teleconferencing |
Internet | 100 MPS with voicemail |
Phone System | VOIP system |
High-Speed Copier, Fax | Yes |
Cable TV | Yes, in conference spaces |
Showers | Yes (men’s and women’s) |
Breakroom | Two, with kitchenette and on-site deli restaurant |