Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) Technology Commercialization Investment is a grant from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania that funds early-stage technology startups and innovative small manufacturers seeking to commercialize their innovations. The program provides equity-style investments between $50,000 and $500,000 to help companies develop and bring new technologies to market.

Applicants must demonstrate strong market potential, provide a cash match, and agree to a payback obligation. Ben Franklin works closely with investees through introductory meetings, pitch preparation, and board review. The program is competitive and prioritizes high-growth tech ventures with scalable potential in Central and Northern Pennsylvania.

Funding - Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF) Erie Revitalization Investment Fund Mercer County Innovation Fund PA Wilds Big Idea Contest Impact Transformation Business Services Ben Franklin Learning Center -> Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF) Erie Revitalization Investment Fund Mercer County Innovation Fund PA Wilds Big Idea Contest Impact Transformation Business Services Ben Franklin Learning Center -> Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF) Erie Revitalization Investment Fund Mercer County Innovation Fund PA Wilds Big Idea Contest Impact Transformation Business Services Ben Franklin Learning Center -> Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF) Erie Revitalization Investment Fund Mercer County Innovation Fund PA Wilds Big Idea Contest Impact Transformation Business Services Ben Franklin Learning Center -> Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network At Ben Franklin Technology Partners, we’re committed to fueling your innovation and supporting your entrepreneurial dreams.

Whether you’re a tech startup with groundbreaking potential or a small manufacturer with an innovative vision, we offer funding and expertise to help you succeed. Start by filling out a brief form to introduce yourself and provide a snapshot of your funding needs. We're here to guide you through the process and offer insights into how we can support your entrepreneurial journey.

A Ben Franklin representative will reach out to discuss your project, explain our match requirement, investment strategy, and answer any questions you may have. If you prefer to speak with us before filling out the form, feel free to contact the local office nearest you. Your Ben Franklin representative will arrange an initial meeting to introduce your company and funding opportunity to our team.

They will help determine if your opportunity is a good fit for funding or if it would be better to direct you to other resources first. If your company is identified as a potential investment opportunity, your Ben Franklin representative will assist you in preparing to present your investment request to the entire team.

If our program is a good fit for you, and you're comfortable moving forward, the next step involves presenting your vision to our team via a videoconference. Your Ben Franklin representative will guide you through our investment summary and assist you in creating a compelling pitch. We will also conduct market research on your business concept as well as work with you to create logical pro-forma financial projections.

If your presentation garners positive feedback, you'll be invited to submit a formal funding application, which will be reviewed by our board of directors. The BF program is competitive and includes a matching component and payback obligation. Following the board's decision, you'll receive prompt notification, often on the same day, about the next steps.

If your project receives approval, our Operations Director will send you a contract to sign. This contract will also include the schedule for the disbursement of your funds. From the initial meeting to receiving a check, the process usually takes 3-6 months.

We invest on a quarterly basis, or four times a year. Because of the risks we are willing to take to finance your startup, we want to ensure we fully understand all aspects of your business concept and your ability to execute it successfully.

BLIND TIGER SPIRIT FREE COCKTAILS, A BEN FRANLKIN PORTFOLIO COMPANY Tech startups may receive up to $500,000 in funding through a series of investments as they grow, while existing manufacturers may receive up to $250,000. The amount of funding varies based on the company’s progress and specific circumstances.

LAUGHING OWL PRESS COMPANY, A BEN FRANKLIN PORTFOLIO COMPANY Creating good-paying jobs in Pennsylvania is central to the Ben Franklin mission. Our portfolio clients use our funding for hiring and retaining employees, business growth, software and prototype development, beta testing, sales and marketing expenses, market development, trade show participation, and developing new product or process delivery models.

A BEN FRANKLIN PORTFOLIO COMPANY Our funding can’t be used for land, buildings, machinery, equipment, or inventory. This is because there is a myriad of other organizations able to provide this kind of financing. A BEN FRANKLIN PORTFOLIO COMPANY LOCATED IN LANCASTER COUNTY Am I Eligible for Ben Franklin Funding?

Your business must be located within our 32-county footprint to qualify for funding. For businesses outside this area, there are other Ben Franklin offices across the state that provide support to the remaining countiesMatching Investment: You’ll need some of your own cash to “match” our investment.

Ben Franklin funding is not a small business grant; there is a user-friendly payback process that begins once your engagement with us is over. We use the payback from successful projects to continue funding new startups in Pennsylvania. Ready to Begin Your Funding Journey?

You don’t need to have a full-blown business plan, but a summary of what you are developing, the problem it will solve, and the market it will serve is a big help. At Ben Franklin Technology Partners, we’re eager to hear about your innovation. Swim Fins: Franklin’s curiosity extended to various fields, including swimming.

He designed swim fins, which were wooden contraptions worn on the hands to increase swimming speed. While not as widely recognized as some of his other inventions, his swim fins demonstrate his innovative thinking across a range of disciplines.

Transformation Business Services Feed the Founders Networking Group Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network Ben Franklin Learning Center >> Transformation Business Services Feed the Founders Networking Group Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network Ben Franklin Learning Center >> Suite 150, State College, PA 16803 The Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP actively seeks the value brought by diversity in entrepreneurship and business. We welcome participation by all in our investments, programs and services, and we strive for inclusiveness of all in interactions with our team, our clients and our prospects.

Like our namesake, we embrace the uniqueness of the individual regardless of their background, personal history or path to us We encourage those with disabilities to participate in our programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please phone our central office at 814-863-4558 in advance of your participation or visit.

All Ben Franklin information is available in alternative media upon request.