Ben Franklin’s Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center is Offering $50,000 in Prizes

Just 2 Weeks Left - Deadline to Apply is January 30, 2012! STATE COLLEGE, PA – We’re looking for researchers, entrepreneurs, or innovators working in the shale gas space!  The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center, which is focused on the development of environmentally sound processes for the extraction, utilization, and safe transportation of natural gas resources, is offering a total of $50,000 in cash prizes for the two best shale gas-oriented innovations, new product ideas, or service concepts.  In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants will gain exposure to industry sponsors, investors and partners!  (more)

Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ $50,000 Business Plan Contest is Back!

State College, PA – The Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum in partnership with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA  announced today that the BIG IDEA Business Plan Contest is back!   A grand prize of $50,000 will be awarded to one tech-based startup company to further develop and grow a business in the 32-county footprint served by the program in Pennsylvania. (more)

Ben Franklin Program Invests $675,000 in Central and Northern PA

STATE COLLEGE, PA – For nearly 30 years, Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP has been making investments in Pennsylvania’s tech-based start-ups, small manufacturers, and university-based research with the goal of developing new technologies, creating job opportunities, and helping Pennsylvania companies compete in a global environment. For more information on the program, click on http://www.cnp.benfranklin.org. On December 13, 2011, the Board of Directors for Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP, approved investments totaling $575,000 in four tech-based start-ups located in the program’s 32-county footprint. The Center’s Board also approved a $100,000 investment for one university-based research project involved in developing a method for removing sulfates from acid mine drainage (more)

Three More Entrepreneurs Complete TechCelerator Program!

CARLISLE, PA - On Thursday, November 17, 2011, three graduates of the new eight-week business mentoring program, the TechCelerator @ Carlisle, presented their business plan concepts for review to a panel of local business professionals. The panel included:  Barb Rose, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at CyberPatrol ... (more)

Center Sponsors Study on Monetization of Shale Gas Resource in PA

State College, PA - The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) is sponsoring a multi-client study entitled, "Monetizing Shale Gas:   Benchmarking Gas Utilization and Conversion Options."  A chemical industry consulting firm, ADI Analytics LLC, well known for its work with Fortune 500 companies, will conduct ... (more)

Ben Franklin Alum Company Supplies Equipment for Emmy and Oscar Broadcasts.

Linear Acoustic's Technology Helps TV stay CALM as reported by Tim Stuhldreher Central Penn Business Journal - November 25, 2011 Television station managers have no shortage of kind words for Lancaster County's Linear Acoustic Inc.  "We're really, really pleased with them," said Keith Blaisdell, director of technology at Harrisburg's ABC affiliate, WHTM-TV.  "They make a neat product," said Bob Good, director of operations at WGAL-TV in Lancaster Township, an NBC affiliate. "It's very effective." (more)

How Patent Reform Impacts Your Small Business

Event Date: March 1, 2012 The implementation of Patent Reform takes place in March 2013.  Between now and then, if your company develops new ideas that may be patentable, you need to know how the rules will change so you can prepare your company and your ideas. Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum is sponsoring a seminar ... (more)

Linear Acoustic

Linear Acoustic® is the leading authority in multichannel loudness control, upmixing, and distribution solutions for digital television. (more)

Interview with TechCelerator Entrepreneurs

See an interview with the three emerging entrepreneurs who recently presented their business plan concepts to a panel of potential investors and industry professionals as the Capstone to the two month Ben Franklin TechCelerator program. (more)

Take a Virtual Tour of the TechCelerator

Take a virtual tour of the TechCelerator,  a designated, shared workspace located in the HRC-CREDC Business Incubator.  Participants receive $1,000 in a seed account to get them started on developing their business plan. Successful candidates who complete the program can compete for $10,000 to jump start their business. (more)

Pro Barrier Engineering LLC

Pro Barrier Engineering LLC is a Pennsylvania-based company that designs and builds anti-terrorism vehicle barriers and provides related perimeter security. (more)

Reclamere

Reclamere is a secure IT asset management company.  The company also develops and deploys certified digital data destruction and recovery services. (more)

Soft Genetics

SoftGenetics, LLC is an established leader in the genetic analysis software market, and has become the world leader in providing effective, biologist friendly, easy-to-use, software tools. (more)

Erie Innovation Fund Investment Helps Four Local Start-Ups Get Started

ERIE, PA — Since the first announcement in March, 2011, regarding the Erie Innovation Fund - a partnership between Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) - there have been dozens of inquires about how to access this exciting opportunity that provides ... (more)

Writing for the Web Seminar

Web copywriting expert, Holly Buchanan, is sharing her expertise on how to create online content that produces optimal results.  Click for more details:   Writing for the Web

Erie Innovation Fund Invests in Two Local Companies

ERIE, PA — The Erie Innovation Fund, a partnership between the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, recently invested in two Erie-based start-ups: CE Convergence, LLC and @Home FMS, LLC. (more)

Ben Franklin Invests $1.7 Million in Pennsylvania Tech-Companies

Click here to learn more:  Ben Franklin Invests $1.7 Million in PA 

Erie Innovation Fund

Does your company need capital to develop a new product or process?  The purpose of the fund, which is a partnership between the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, is to give Erie's tech-based entrepreneurs and small manufacturing companies access to local investment capital.  Click here ... (more)

SEM III: Findability Search Marketing Seminar, April 13 (Erie, PA)

Learn New Methods to Make Your Business Visible Online Learn new formulas for your business to increase its "findability" online by attending  the SEM III: Findability Search Marketing Seminar.  The event is hosted by  the eMarketing Learning Center and will take place on April 13, 2011, in Erie, Pennsylvania. (more)