Client & Alumni News
Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd. develops water-based waterproof coatings for a variety of applications, including residential construction, roads, bridges, railways, airports, and water conservation facilities. The company chose to conduct research at Ben Franklin TechVentures®, an award-winning business incubator/post-incubator facility, because of the facility’s world-class attributes and its location on Lehigh University’s campus in Bethlehem, PA. The China-based company is working with Lehigh on advanced materials R&D to launch a U.S. operation.
Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology’s product has been used in the construction of Chinese landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and in more than 85% of the Beijing 2008 Olympic venues. The product has also been utilized in China’s infrastructure for high-speed railways and metros.
Ben Franklin TechVentures provides small laboratory spaces to established firms on a selective basis to develop new technologies that have the potential to create local technical and manufacturing jobs while enhancing companies’ products and/or manufacturing capabilities. The incubator is owned and managed by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. TechVentures offered Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology an opportunity to conduct research and collaborate with Lehigh to create highly paid, sustainable Pennsylvania jobs as a result of the company’s U.S. presence.
Established firms in TechVentures substantially enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem for early-stage resident companies as well. The staff of the established firms provide collaboration opportunities and mentorship to the young companies. Ben Franklin TechVentures delivers a culture that fuels innovation and collaboration, and that accelerates companies’ success.
Ben Franklin TechVentures brings together entrepreneurs, researchers and experts, Ben Franklin staff, and Lehigh faculty and students to accelerate the growth of the region’s technology economy. The Ben Franklin team supports TechVentures early-stage resident companies with management guidance, business planning, strategic planning, and marketing counsel; connections to angel investors and venture capitalists; and assistance in preparing and improving funding presentations. Ben Franklin shares its new Innovation Institute meeting, learning, and conference facilities space with resident companies, local corporate partners, and programs. Lehigh Valley Business coverage; Morning Call coverage; Bethlehem Press coverage; East Penn Press coverage.
