Ben Franklin News
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP/NEP) Board of Directors has approved the investment of $495,000 in support of regional economic development. Eleven companies from BFTP/NEP’s 21-county service area received funding. Investments identified as a continuation project indicates that the client achieved pre-determined milestones and is receiving more funding to accomplish additional project work.
BFTP/NEP announces the following early-stage company investments, which are provided in the form of loans with warrants.
Applied Cadence, LLC, Scranton, Lackawanna County – Ben Franklin Investment: $100,000
Develop, test, and commercialize “CareWide,” a simple and easy-to-use mobile application with an administrative web-based dashboard that allows individual homecare workers an affordable way to manage their own services, verify their time, and get paid seamlessly. The patented Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform maximizes the productivity of homecare staff and provides information and security to patients, family members, and caregivers. The company’s mission is to bridge the gap between independent workers and clients who are in need of home services, enabling aging adults to remain in their homes longer.
DetectBee, Inc., Bethlehem, Northampton County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000 – continuation project
Complete development of and commercialize DetectBee’s MVP Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that allows users to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities in both their own systems and in those of third-party systems that are tied to them via interfaces. By providing a “hacker’s eye view” of networks, DetectBee protects clients and their supply chains.
Low & Go, LLC, Honesdale, Wayne County – Ben Franklin Investment: $100,000
Support marketing, and durability and safety testing to commercialize a powered wheelchair with a standard rear-wheel drive and lower center of gravity, providing “no-tip” versatility for use indoors or outdoors. The chair extends 22 inches as it lowers itself into a go-cart configuration, allowing greater versatility. The Low & Go wheelchair can travel in places that would be unattainable in other wheelchairs, including trails and woodlands, safely at speeds of up to 6½ miles per hour, and allows users to pick items up from the ground.
S. Huntley & Co., Easton, Northampton County – Ben Franklin Investment: $80,000
Secure a license for S. Huntley & Company in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as a non-bank motor vehicle financier. Also, secure dealership partners, begin building the website, and launch the monthly subscription service in support of the financing tools. The firm’s product, Toppcar.com, is an online retail and financing platform that allows the growing modern classic car enthusiast segment of consumers and dealers to buy and finance cars completely online.
Thread Bioscience, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem, Northampton County – Ben Franklin investment: $50,000 – continuation project
Commercialize a patented diagnostic test, CultureStat, for urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is faster, more accurate, and at lower cost than current tests. CultureStat can be used at the Point of Care to reduce frequently misdiagnosed UTIs and improperly prescribed antibiotics. With an estimated 150 million UTIs annually, it is the most common infection among women and the second-leading cause of infection overall, accounting for $6 billion in health care expenditures.
Ben Franklin provides 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on technology-based innovation in established manufacturers.
Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Bethlehem, Northampton County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000
University Partner: Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center
Develop and implement a simulation-based scheduling software for the company’s CNC machine scheduling system to improve throughput and reduce lead time, providing greater capacity. Bosch Rexroth manufactures motion control equipment, including hydraulic and pneumatic components.
Gillette Industrial Services, Inc., Bangor, Northampton County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000
University Partner: Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center
Complete facility layout plans of the company’s new campus to facilitate growth and prepare for ISO Quality System Certification. D. Gillette Industrial Services designs, fabricates, and repairs maintenance equipment for the U.S. military and industrial clients.
Heyco Metals, Inc., Reading, Berks County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000
University Partner: Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute
Implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to improve supply chain and customer service, and support growth. Heyco Metals is a precision mill that manufactures high-quality, thin-gauge, copper, copper alloy, and stainless-steel strip products to exacting specifications for the automotive, aerospace, connector, and consumer electronics industries.
Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, LTD, Hamburg, Berks County – Ben Franklin Investment: $15,000 – continuation project
University Partner: Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute
Develop a plant layout for a new facility, and an overall manufacturing site master plan to increase capacity and optimize production. Joe Jurgielewicz & Son is a duck production operation that supplies restaurants, food services, and institutions in the U.S. The firm is vertically integrated from breeding to delivery and employs environmentally friendly, sustainable farming practices.
LifeAire Systems, LLC, Allentown, Lehigh County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000
University Partner: Lehigh University
Develop additional applications for LifeAire Systems’ technology. LifeAire discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes revolutionary air purification systems for the healthcare industry. The systems are clinically proven and proprietary, and effectively eliminate viable and chemical pathogens on a single pass, with no harmful byproducts or ozone produced.
S&W Metal Products, LLC, Gilbertsville, Montgomery County – Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000
University Partner: Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute
Model the existing production facility to optimize process flows and accommodate the acquisition of new equipment. Develop a strategic facility master plan in support of the company’s long-term growth objectives. S&W Metal Products is a full-service sheet metal fabrication shop, manufacturing a wide range of recurring and custom precision-engineered products.
