For more than 30 years, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has helped this region’s technology companies prosper by providing access to capital, business expertise and university resources.

As hundreds of companies have experienced, Ben Franklin delivers hands-on support, guidance and investment funds at companies’ most vulnerable times, helping clients to achieve and sustain commercial success and competitive advantage.

Capital

Ben Franklin makes investments that typically range from $30,000 to $150,000 per year for up to three years. We take calculated risks investing in young, unproven technology companies that could not secure seed funding through conventional means. We also assist early-stage firms as they prepare to raise additional capital, and provide an important initial endorsement for a new company.

Ben Franklin provides a 1:1 matching grant up to a maximum of $50,000 for technology-based manufacturing innovation in established manufacturers. The support is directed to enterprise-wide solutions, to enhance clients’ entire way of doing business. Work may include the company’s manufacturing process, development of new products, and/or improvement of existing products.

Business Expertise

Each company in the Ben Franklin portfolio benefits from the collective experience of seasoned professionals who focus on turning high-potential ideas into high-growth businesses. In-house expertise is complemented by Ben Franklin’s extensive Solutions Network of advisers, service providers and investors, creating a powerful and comprehensive support program for clients.

University Resources

We tap into the research strength of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities, whose faculty and graduate students work directly with clients. Ben Franklin provides a crucial link between the Commonwealth’s companies and the wealth of knowledge, facilities and manpower resources in the state’s higher education institutions.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation that is part of a four-center, state-funded economic development initiative. The northeastern center is headquartered on the campus of Lehigh University with regional offices in Lewisburg, Reading and Wilkes-Barre, and operates Ben Franklin TechVentures, a technology incubator/post-incubator facility on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem.