Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania approved $977,564 in investments during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. These investments will support 16 companies—10 early-stage companies and six established manufacturers—fostering innovative product development, workforce expansion, and operational growth across the region.
$826,732 in investments will be made to the following early-stage companies:
3PunchConvo, Inc.
Union County
3PunchConvo is an online community where MMA fans, fighters, and industry insiders can discuss fights and interact directly. Members can make predictions, track their picks, and participate in moderated forums; paid memberships also help support fighters active on the platform.
https://www.3punchconvo.com/
CastingSource
Pike County
CastingSource provides governed, human-led workflow infrastructure for organizations managing video submissions across Entertainment, Higher Education and Market Research. It organizes submission requirements, materials, team review, decisions and follow-up. AI is limited to objective technical requirements; all substantive review and decisions remain human-led.
castingsource.app
Gilson Snow, Inc.
Snyder County
Gilson Snow designs and manufactures innovative snowboards and skis that utilize a patented 3-dimensional (3D) base.
https://gilsonsnow.com/
Infuse AI Tech Corp. (Agent23.AI)
Berks County
Infuse AI Tech Corp. offers Agent 23.AI, a system of AI agents that work to handle customer service interactions, scheduling, troubleshooting, and follow-ups. Their tools streamline machine learning workflows, enhancing productivity for organizations.
https://agent23.ai/
Specialized Biotic Research, Inc
Northampton County
Specialized Biotics develops synbiotic products that pair bacterial strains with prebiotics to support gut health and other wellness goals. Its AI platform uses microbiome, clinical, and product data to guide the development of future products and potential drug candidates.
https://specializedbiotics.com/
Spoke Acquisition Corporation (Spoke Sciences, Inc.)
Northampton County
Spoke Sciences is an ingredient technology firm creating proprietary platforms for better-formulated lipophilic ingredients in foods, beverages, and topicals.
https://www.spokesciences.com/
Tullia, Inc
Lycoming County
Tullia is developing an AI-assisted platform that helps restaurant teams organize recipes, ingredients, allergens, and preparation details in one place. Designed for use during service, it aims to give staff quick answers to questions about allergens and substitutions while helping kitchens preserve recipe consistency and knowledge that might otherwise live with one chef.
https://tullia.app/
UBMe, Inc.
Northampton County
UBMe is a web and mobile application that provides end-to-end experience management for events. The platform incorporates event discovery, ticketing, food and merchandise sales, and a social media element to keep people engaged while at the event. This project was financed [in part] from Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.
https://www.ubme.com/
Vytala Inc.
Northampton County
Vytala has developed a structured lipid technology designed to improve the absorption of fats and nutrients in people with fat malabsorption. Its first product, Seracal, delivers essential fatty acids in a form the body can more readily absorb, supporting healthy weight gain. This project was financed [in part] from Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.
https://www.vytalahealth.com/
Orbweaver Sourcing, LLC
Northampton County
Orbweaver offers cloud based data automation for electronics manufacturers, streamlining quoting, procurement, and legacy system integration in the supply chain.
www.orbweaver.com
$150,832 in investments will be made to the following established manufacturers, incorporating student enrichment work with a college or university partner:
D. Gillette Industrial Services, Inc. (DGI)
Northampton County
D. Gillette Industrial Services specializes in the design, fabrication, and lifecycle sustainment of critical assets for the defense and commercial sectors. With over 30 years of experience, DGI provides the U.S. military and global manufacturers with high-quality parts, support equipment, and innovative obsolescence solutions. Their capabilities include 3D manufacturing for prototypes and a proprietary equipment management system that extends the operational life of legacy industrial machinery. Alvernia University will partner with D. Gillette on this project.
https://dgindustrialservices.com/
Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc.
Lehigh County
Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc. specializes in prefabricated exterior wall panels including rainscreen, EIFS, brick, stone, and metal systems that are engineered via 3D BIM and manufactured in climate-controlled facilities to improve quality, logistics, and waste efficiency. Lehigh University will partner with Eastern Exterior Wall Systems on this project.
https://eews.com/
Interstate Building Materials (Interstate Window & Door Co.)
Luzerne County
Interstate manufactures energy-efficient windows and doors, with offerings for residential, commercial, and specialty projects. The company emphasizes high-quality vinyl and CompositWood® products, including solutions for historical restoration and custom commercial applications. Wilkes University will partner with Interstate on this project.
https://www.interstatebldg.com/
MillPress Imports LLC
Northampton County
Established in Bethlehem, PA in 2015, MillPress Imports is a specialty food manufacturing and distribution company specializing in the import, processing, custom blending and bottling of premium extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars and specialty flavored products. Lehigh University will partner with MillPress on this project.
https://millpressimports.com/
SUSCON INC (Suscon Plastics)
Lycoming County
Suscon is a plastic bottle manufacturer and co-packer that provides custom blow molding (HDPE & PET), beverage filling, labeling, product formulation, and distribution services producing eco-friendly packaging for private label and branded beverage markets. Pennsylvania College of Technology will partner with Suscon on this project.
https://www.susconplastics.com/
Trion Industries
Luzerne County
Trion Industries is a Wilkes-Barre-based American manufacturer of retail and point-of-purchase fixtures, including display and scanning hooks, shelf management systems, labeling solutions, and security fixtures. Founded in 1965, the company operates a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing complex and has earned more than 120 U.S. and international patents for merchandising innovations. Wilkes University will partner with Trion on this project.
Triononline.com
These investments have been made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the PA DCED and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.