BIG IDEA Contest

Finalists in the 2023 $50,000 PA Wilds BIG IDEA Contest Announced!

In partnership with the PA WILDS Center for Entrepreneurship and with funding support provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ recent BIG IDEA competition targeted the counties of Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren. Dozens of emerging entrepreneurs who are developing innovations related to the maker economy, forest products, outdoors and recreation,...

You Could Win $50,000 for your BIG IDEA!

In partnership with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking for innovators with BIG IDEAS located in Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean, or Warren County, PA. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are developing or crafting a product, process, or innovation related to the maker economy, outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing,...

You Could Win $50,000 for your BIG IDEA!

In partnership with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking for innovators with BIG IDEAS located in Cameron, Elk, Forest, McKean, or Warren County, PA. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are developing or crafting a product, process, or innovation related to the maker economy, outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing,...

Winners Announced in Ben Franklin’s Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest!

On October 20, 2022, beginning at 2:00 PM, eight finalists from the BIG IDEA Contest made their pitch presentations to a panel of independent judges from PA Department of Agriculture, Sheetz, Penn State Extension, and Trilliant Food & Nutrition LLC. The panel of judges awarded two cash prizes. Ben Franklin Technology Partners is Pleased to...

Ben Franklin’s Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest Finale

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE BIG IDEA CONTEST FINAL PITCH COMPETITION! Join us for the virtual final pitch competition for Ben Franklin Technology Partners' $25,000 Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest. On October 20th, selected finalists will pitch their ag, food, and/or beverage startups to a team of independent judges for a chance to win...

Finalists in Ben Franklin’s Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest Announced!

Ben Franklin Technology Partner’s BIG IDEA Contest recently offered agriculture and food/beverage entrepreneurs, innovators, and companies in Ben Franklin’s 32-county footprint the chance to pitch to win up to $25,000 in seed funding. This cash prize is designed to support every aspect of turning a business idea into a business reality. “This is our first...

SEED YOUR BIG IDEA AND WATCH IT GROW – YOU COULD WIN UP TO $25,000!

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Did you know Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an award-winning, tech-based economic development program?  We’ve been investing in tech startups and small manufactures for nearly 40 years.  And now, we’re looking for innovators with BIG IDEAS who are developing new products or processes in the agriculture (AG) and food/beverage industries. A…

BLIND TIGER SWEEPS BEN FRANKLIN’S $50,000 BIG IDEA CONTEST

ERIE, PA – On Thursday, January 14, 2021,with more than 160 viewers in the zoom audience, seven companies made their final pitch presentations to four independent judges; a panel which also included a past BIG IDEA winner, Dr. Wei-Shin Lai with Acoustic Sheep. Many thanks to the judges, regional partners, and Senator Dan Laughlin for…

YOUR “BIG IDEA” COULD WIN YOU UP TO $50,000!

LANCASTER, PA – Why Should You Enter Ben Franklin’s BIG IDEA Contest? Because you want to WIN!  The prize money will be a great way to put some cash into your startup. However, the business mentoring, networking opportunities, and feedback from experts are often just as valuable as the cash. If you’ve been thinking about…

SHOULD YOU ENTER A PITCH COMPETITION?

Back in the day, developing a business plan was typically part of an academic exercise.  Student teams came up with product ideas and then pitched their plans to classroom rivals or a panel of instructors from the Business and Engineering Departments.   But, in the past few years – maybe because of Shark Tank, there has…