NETWORKS

"Mobilizing the Region Around the Next Big Idea"

Twenty-five years ago, Ben Franklin seeded companies and partnerships in the region's then-emerging biotechnology industry. It became southeastern PA's fastest growing technology sector.

Eight years ago we launched the region's first nanotechnology partnerships, and today we are driving forward with alternative energy and green technology.

Each of these comprehensive efforts is designed to encourage the creation and support of new technology companies.

Ben Franklin has numerous valuable partners throughout the region and around the globe.

Alternative Energy and Clean Technologies
Ben Franklin is helping to leverage and develop the region's energy assets to address state and national energy independence imperatives, accelerate alternative energy technology development, commercialization, investment, and stimulate economic growth.

Please click here to visit the Alternative Energy and Clean Technologies website, where energy-sector companies can register for future funding and support opportunities from Ben Franklin.


The Energy Commercialization Institute (ECI) is the region's first partnership, among universities, economic development to spur energy development and commercialization through translational research and sponsored research funding. ECI focuses on high-impact energy generation, transportation and conservation. Drexel University, Ben Franklin and The University of Pennsylvania created the ECI with $1.2 million from PA's Department of Community and Economic Development.Penn State University, Villanova University, Philadelphia University, Widener University and Temple University have also partnered.

The Nanotechnology Institute™ (NTI) is the region's first partnership created to accelerate nanotechnology commercialization and company formation. This technology powerhouse, conceived by BFTP/SEP, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, has created a nanotechnology ecosystem in the region. The NTI has helped produce more than 357 Intellectual Property assets, created or assisted more than 22 young companies, and attracted more than $200 million in public and private investment to the region.

The Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA®) is the nation's first tri-state partnership created to advance nanotechnology. Together, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are highlighting emerging opportunities, marketing the region's capabilities, and attracting significant investments.

Keystone Innovation Zones (KIZs) are state designated innovation hubs that harness partnership resources and offer special incentives to grow companies. BFTP/SEP has assisted in the development of six regional KIZs, and helps to advance businesses with field staff in multiple zones.

The Philadelphia Navy Yard KIZ is focused on energy, manufacturing, communications and defense.

• The Building 100 Innovation Center is BFTP/SEP's new headquarters, created by BFTP/SEP, the DVIRC and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, with a focus on engineering and physical sciences as economic generators.
  
  

The Bucks County BIO KIZ is focused on biotechnology.

• The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County is biotechnology hub of research and entrepreneurship founded by Hepatitis B Foundation, Delaware Valley College and Ben Franklin in 2006. Ben Franklin helped to create the precursor "Ben Franklin Innovation Center" in the 1990's.

Additional KIZs include the University City KIZ in Philadelphia, the Chester County KIZ, and the BioLaunch611+ KIZ in Montgomery County, all focused on biotechnology. The Delaware County KIZ is focused on defense technologies.

Sector-specific Nano and Greentech e-newsletters are sent to hundreds of recipients, raising awareness of regional opportunities and helping to grow communities of interest.

Ben Franklin, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and Select Greater Philadelphia created the Greater Philadelphia Regional Economic Development Framework as the region's official Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

WIN is Greater Philadelphia's organization specifically for women who are leaders of and investors in high-growth businesses. WIN, Ben Franklin and the Wharton Small Business Development Center developed the 2009 Women-Led High Growth Business Report.

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) provides entrepreneurship education programs to young people from low income communities. Ben Franklin and NFTE created the The Entrepreneurship Uncovered: Leading by Example video series. It contains interviews from successful Ben Franklin entrepreneurs, sharing their stories and offering advice for a new generation of entrepreneurs. It is part of an education package in NFTE classrooms across the county.

BioTechnology - By linking the biotech community with federal, private and university resources, BFTP/SEP is helping to position the Delaware Valley as a key biotech region.

Incubators | Commercial Real Estate - Philadelphia area business incubators and commercial real estate providers for high-tech companies.

Regional Financing Source - Public and private funding for technology companies available in southeast Pennsylvania.

The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) - The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) is an economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers in the Philadelphia region compete and grow. For over 15 years, they've been serving the manufacturers in our region through education and training programs, consulting services, government affairs, workforce development, economic development partnerships, executive networking, regional initiative leadership and world-class best practices. No matter what your need, they will try to assist you or connect you with the right resource. The DVIRC is part of Pennsylvania's Industrial Resource Center Network, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Regional Economic Development

• Bucks County
  Bucks County Economic Development Corporation
  www.bcedc.com
  
  
• Chester County
  Chester County Economic Development Council
  www.cceconomicdevelopment.com
  
  
• Delaware County
  Delaware County Commerce Center
  www.delcopa.org
  
  
• Montgomery County
  Montgomery County Development Corporation
  www.mcidc.com
  
  
• Philadelphia County
  Philadelphia Development Development Corporation
  http://www.pidc-pa.org
  
  

Select Greater Philadelphia - Select Greater Philadelphia, is a non-profit, business marketing organization that specializes in streamlining corporate expansions and locations. Select provides businesses looking to expand or locate to Greater Philadelphia complimentary and confidential services.

Select services include providing accurate data about the Greater Philadelphia region, connecting companies to service providers, facilitating site and incentive analysis and acting as a liaison between company representatives and economic developers in this tri-state area (Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania).

Team Pennsylvania - A Public/private partnership promoting job creation and retention in Pennsylvania. Lead partners: BFTP/SEP, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center.

World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP)
As of 2002, the export services programs that had been run for approximately 12 years under the aegis of SEPEC (Southeastern Pennsylvania Export Consortium) were transferred into the newly-created World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is a further evolution of the services offered by the Delaware River Port Authority's (DRPA) Export Development unit. DRPA has been assisting businesses with international growth in the Greater Philadelphia region since 1995. The WTCGP is currently housed within the DRPA's headquarters, One Port Center, located along the waterfront in Camden, NJ.

The WTCGP is a member of the World Trade Centers Association, which brings together a network of more than 300 World Trade Centers worldwide. This network helps local companies expand their businesses internationally.

For more information, go the WTCGP's website at www.wtcphila.org, or email: info@wtcphila.org

Chemical Heritage Foundation - The Chemical Heritage Foundation serves the community of the chemical and molecular sciences, and the wider public, by treasuring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future.

Campus Philly - An umbrella organization created to bring people and ideas together around the general theme of "Collegetown Philadelphia." The Campus Philly website helps students develop friendships and professional ties, and grow roots in Philadelphia.

Eastern Technology Council - The Eastern Technology Council serves leaders of more than 700 technology and life sciences companies by providing valuable contacts and capital, and information and education, through a wide variety of events, publications, and innovative services.

Kauffman eVenturing ™ - Geared to those who are building companies that innovate and create jobs and wealth, Kauffman eVenturing is the trusted guide for entrepreneurs on the path to high growth. The site provides original articles, written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and aggregates "the best of the best" content on the Web related to starting and running high-impact companies.

Women Inventing Next - A website for high-growth women entrepreneurs launched with funding from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and maintained with continuing support from BFTP/SEP.

Pennsylvania Bio - Pennsylvania is home to the continuum of the biosciences - world-class basic research, emerging companies, mature industry and global pharmaceuticals.

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Modified: 03/29/10