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  1. BFTP Created/Retained 7,356 Jobs in 2021

    In 2021, 7,356 northeastern Pennsylvania jobs were created or retained as a result of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP_NEPA) work. BFTP_NEPA generated cumulative impacts of 76,956 job creations or retentions since the program’s inception in 1983. “Ben Franklin clients are an important part of the resilience northeastern Pennsylvania is exhibiting in Continue Reading…

  2. Ben Franklin Hosts Lehigh University Start-Up Job Fair

    The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP_NEPA)  hosted the Lehigh University Start-Up Job Fair at Ben Franklin TechVentures® on February 22. Lehigh undergraduate and graduate students met with Ben Franklin clients Intuidex, Mussel Polymers, Optamo, OptoVibronex, TerraHealth, LBN, and Raven Biomaterials, as well as other regional companies, to share and fill upcoming internship Continue Reading…

  3. USSF Founder Named in Forbes Story on the Next Generation of Black Leaders and Entrepreneurs

    Despite fewer support networks, less access to resources, and an unrelenting global pandemic, many Black-owned businesses have achieved an astonishing feat since 2020. They continue to rise and flourish even in a struggling economy. According to NBC News, American Black business owners increased by a staggering 38 percent from February 2020 to August 2021. Black entrepreneurship Continue Reading…

  4. US Specialty Formulations co-founder one of few Blacks in pharmaceutical leadership positions

    USSF is Developing an Oral COVID Vaccine. For Dr. Kyle Flanigan of Bethlehem, one of few African Americans in a pharmaceutical business leadership position, getting into the field wasn’t a challenge; it was what came afterward. “The challenge for Black people in this industry is recognition and promotion,” said Flanigan, co-founder and chief executive officer Continue Reading…

  5. Proposed Budget Recognizes Innovation is Pennsylvania’s Best Path Forward

    Without a doubt, the last few years have proven the value of investing in innovation. Repeatedly, we have seen how innovation and technology have impacted everything from health care to remote working across Pennsylvania. Without a doubt, the last few years have proven the value of investing in innovation. Repeatedly, we have seen how innovation Continue Reading…

  6. UBMe Now Provides Real-Time Restaurant Feedback

    With support from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Southside Bethlehem KIZ and Pennsylvania CareerLink, Bethlehem technology company, UBMe has officially launched real-time feedback for restaurants on the UBMe App, which will revolutionize the way customers can obtain live information from restaurants and the way online reviews will take place moving forward. Dating back to the beginning of Continue Reading…

  7. Small business incubators grow companies, jobs, and networks

    “Business incubators help early-stage firms win the incredibly difficult fight to succeed in the marketplace,” Ben Franklin Chief Marketing Officer Laura Eppler said. “It’s about improving people’s lives by creating highly paid, sustainable jobs. It’s about innovation, creating products and processes that improve the human condition,” she said.  “Since 1983, Ben Franklin’s incubator has graduated Continue Reading…

  8. Sivana Converting to Add 400 Jobs at Sunbury Plant

    The owner of an incoming industrial hemp manufacturer expects at least 400 jobs by the time it reaches full production in summer 2023. Ben Franklin client Sivana Converting LLC‘s CEO, Soheil Shahrooz, recently provided a tour to U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-12, and other local officials of the 350,000-square-foot space that once housed the former Continue Reading…

  1. BFTP Job Opportunity: Client Support Specialist

    The Ben Franklin Technology Partners invites applications for Client Support Specialist. The Client Support Specialist is responsible for ensuring that clients in the BFTP/NEP portfolio receive the best possible support from our team, from outside advisors and experts, and from service providers and vendors when we introduce them or pay for their services. We call this Continue Reading…

  2. Bethlehem Mayor Reynolds and Staff Visit TechVentures

    Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds and his staff met with Ben Franklin staff and had a tour of Ben Franklin TechVentures on February 16. Ben Franklin TechVentures is Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ award-winning technology incubator/post-incubator, located on Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus in Bethlehem. Pictured with “Ben Franklin” at the entry to Ben Franklin TechVentures (seated, l Continue Reading…

  3. BFTP Promotes Kimberly Valuntas to Regional Manager, Reading/Greater Berks

    Ben Franklin has promoted Kimberly L. Valuntas to Regional Manager, Reading/Greater Berks County. Valuntas will succeed Connie R. Faylor, who will retire after more than 30 years of service on June 30. Valuntas will lead and actively contribute to the regional technology ecosystem, working with business and industry groups, elected officials, economic development colleagues, higher Continue Reading…

  4. Investments in Innovation Keep Pa.’s Economy Growing

    State budget proposes $22 million for Ben Franklin HARRISBURG, Pa. (Feb. 8, 2022) — Recognizing the importance of investments in innovation to drive Pennsylvania’s new economy and sustain its growth, Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2022-23 draft spending plan proposes at least $22 million for Ben Franklin Technology Partners. The funding, which amounts to a $2 million Continue Reading…

  5. LifeAire Systems Installed at Phoebe Allentown

    Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center is the first long-term care community to install a cutting-edge, medical-grade air purification system from Ben Franklin client LifeAire Systems as part of a double-blind research study performed on site. The outcomes from the research study were overwhelmingly positive for the long-term care setting. The AAPT reduced the levels of Continue Reading…

  6. Small business incubators grow companies, jobs, and networks

    Laura Eppler, chief marketing officer for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said Ben Franklin TechVentures typically houses 30-40 companies at one time. Currently, they have 34 in the technology-based sectors, including life sciences, electronics, materials, advanced manufacturing, and computer applications.   “Companies typically stay for five years, and life science companies can stay Continue Reading…

  7. Entrepreneur to Investor – Full-Circle Innovation

    One good investment deserves another. That’s the philosophy of entrepreneur-turned-investor Marsha Wender Timmerman, who exited successfully as a founder of two early-stage technology firms and then became an early investor herself. Marsha Timmerman’s story is one of tenacity and resilience during a time of change in the role of female entrepreneurs. It was also a Continue Reading…

  8. MDSlink MAKES MaGiC™

    Ben Franklin Client MDSLink EXTENDS FIBER NETWORKS WITH 2.5 GBPS DATA RATES OVER COAX In response to the fiber buildout worldwide and the continuous demand for reliable bandwidth, MDSLink, Inc., based in Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem, is now offering MaGiC™, a very high-performance networking module that uses the existing coax. MaGiC is a cost-effective, easy-to-install Continue Reading…