Ben Franklin TechCelerator Program

Applications open for Winter Erie TechCelerator!

Applications are now open for our Winter Erie TechCelerator!

You must live/be located in Erie County, PA to be eligible for this TechCelerator Program. 

  • Apps open: September 18, 2023
  • Apps close December 8, 2023
  • Decision deadline: December 15, 2023
  • Class Starts: January 9, 2024

Summer 2023 TechCelerator Winners

Check out the most recent TechCelerator Cohort Winners!

In the heart of Pennsylvania’s innovation ecosystem, a virtual pitch event held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, marked a defining moment for seven entrepreneurial teams.

Launch Your Startup with Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator!

Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator is offering local entrepreneurs, grad students, professors, and university researchers a 10-week business boot camp to help take the first step in launching your startup.

Throughout the 10-week program, you’ll be able to explore the likelihood of success, discuss your business model and financials with experts, expand your network, engage with other entrepreneurs, and develop a pitch deck for funding opportunities.

The TechCelerator boot camp involves weekly group sessions with content experts and a weekly one-on-one session with your mentor to discuss individual needs. The goal of the program is to provide a framework that will enable you to have the information needed to decide if it’s the right time to start your business.

At the end of the 10 weeks, you’ll have a pitch presentation that will position your business to take the first step toward funding. You’ll have a chance to test your presentation skills at the final session by pitching before a group of judges who will award up to $15,000 to participants.

All About the Ben Franklin TechCelerator Experience

Classes are once per week for 10 weeks. You will also have a 1-hour one-on-one coaching session per week.

This program is offered at NO COST to entrepreneurs in the following counties: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, and York.

  • You are located in Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, or York county.
  • You have not previously received Ben Franklin funding or a cash prize from the BIG IDEA Contest

While cohorts range in size, there are usually 6-8 finalists selected per TechCelerator.

Participation in the TechCelerator will require 5-10 hours per week, so make sure you’re ready to commit.

This is a remote course, utilizing Canvas Learning System and Zoom.

  • Business Model Overview
  • Who’s your Customer? What’s your market?
  • What’s your Value Proposition
  • Customer Relationships – Get/Keep/Grow
  • Basic Financials – Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow
  • Estimating Operating & Startup Costs
  • Revenue/Pricing/Costs
  • Funding Options
  • Basic Legal – Business Structure & Ownership

Learn More

For more information about our TechCelerator programs, please fill out the form below.

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