Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is a state-funded, non-profit economic development initiative founded in 1982 that provides seed capital (up to $500,000), regional innovation funds, accelerator programming, and free business mentoring to tech-based startups and small manufacturers across 32 counties in Central and Northern Pennsylvania.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersUniversity Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania does
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin CNP), founded in 1982 and headquartered in State College, PA, is a state-funded economic development initiative that provides seed and risk capital plus business support services to technology-based startups and small manufacturers across a 32-county footprint in Central and Northern Pennsylvania. It is one of four independently operated Ben Franklin Technology Partners organizations in the state, all funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development via the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, and it is not a venture-backed or revenue-generating company.
Its core 'products' are structured funding programs rather than technology offerings: Early Stage Funding (up to $500,000 through staged investments) and Existing Manufacturers Funding (up to $250,000 plus Spark Grants up to $10,000 and Innovation Adoption Fund Grants up to $25,000), supplemented by regional capital pools — the Erie Revitalization Investment Fund ($500,000 with Erie Insurance), Mercer County Innovation Fund ($1,000,000 pool, up to $100,000 per company), and Bright Bradford Innovation Fund tier (microgrants up to $5,000, pre-seed up to $10,000, pitch prize of $20,000, and investments up to $100,000). All funding programs carry matching investment requirements. Wrapped around the capital are non-dilutive support services: the TechCelerator (8-10 week virtual accelerator culminating in up to $15,000 in pitch prizes), the Big Idea Contest and AgeTech Big Idea Contest (up to $35,000), Transformation Business Services (free mentoring in market research, accounting, HR, and strategic planning), the Ben Franklin Learning Center (webinars and training), and community programs including CREN and Feed the Founders.
The business model is grant/appropriation-funded rather than revenue-generating: Ben Franklin CNP receives state appropriations, deploys capital into portfolio companies, and supplements its deployment with co-investment from corporate, philanthropic, and federal partners (Erie Insurance, Halloran Philanthropies, Appalachian Regional Commission, ECGRA, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation). Distribution is regional and direct, via four offices (State College, Johnstown, Harrisburg, Erie) and a 5-step funding process (introduction, due diligence, pitch, quarterly board review, contract) typically taking 3-6 months from initial meeting to funding. The organization cites statewide cumulative impact of 4,500+ companies funded, $25B+ economic impact, and 148,000 jobs created since 1982.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
- Legal name
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central/Northern Pennsylvania
- Website
- https://cnp.benfranklin.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is a state-funded, non-profit economic development initiative founded in 1982 that provides seed capital (up to $500,000), regional innovation funds, accelerator programming, and free business mentoring to tech-based startups and small manufacturers across 32 counties in Central and Northern Pennsylvania.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Economic Development Investment
- NAICS
- Other Financial Investment Activities (5239), Miscellaneous Intermediation (52391)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA)
Keywords
Where Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- University Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- State Funding: Ben Franklin Technology Partners is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. This is a public-purpose initiative, not a revenue-generating entity.
- Erie Insurance Partnership: Partnership with Erie Insurance for the Erie Revitalization Investment Fund (ERIF), with each partner contributing $250,000 to the $500,000 fund for Erie County startups and manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Tech startups: up to $500,000 through series of investments |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Existing manufacturers: up to $250,000 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Spark Grant: up to $10,000 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Innovation Adoption Fund Grant: up to $25,000 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Erie Revitalization Investment Fund (ERIF): $500,000 total |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF): up to $5,000 microgrant |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Mercer County Innovation Fund (MCIF): up to $100,000 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels10 records
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is a state-funded economic development initiative that invests seed and risk capital in early-stage technology-based startups and small manufacturers across a 32-county Central and Northern Pennsylvania footprint. It provides staged investments (up to $500,000 for startups, up to $250,000 for manufacturers), regional innovation funds, a virtual accelerator (TechCelerator), pitch competitions, and free Transformation Business Services including mentoring in market research, accounting, HR, and strategic planning.
Product overview
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania operates as a technology enterprise investment and business support organization, not a unified software product. Its portfolio consists of distinct funding programs (Early Stage Funding, Existing Manufacturers Funding, regional innovation funds for Erie, Mercer, and Bradford counties), accelerator programs (TechCelerator), pitch competitions (AgeTech Big Idea Contest), and business support services (Transformation Business Services, Ben Franklin Learning Center). The organization functions as a startup ecosystem facilitator rather than a product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bright Bradford Innovation Fund (BBIF): Up to $5,000 microgrant fund for small to mid-size businesses in the Bradford region.
- Erie Revitalization Investment Fund (ERIF)
- Mercer County Innovation Fund (MCIF)
- TechCelerator
- AgeTech Big Idea Contest
- Transformation Business Services
Products and services
- Early Stage Funding Seed and risk capital investment for innovation-based technology startups, providing up to $500,000 through a series of staged investments as companies grow. Requires matching cash investment from the recipient company.
- Existing Manufacturers Funding
Companies that use Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bradford Area AlliancecorePartner powering the Bright Bradford Innovation Fund to spark innovation, strengthen local enterprises, and drive economic opportunity in the Bradford region.
- Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA)corePartnership for the Erie TechCelerator program and Erie Revitalization Investment Fund. ECGRA is an impact investing organization endowed with local share gaming revenue that empowers nonprofit sector, municipal governments, and economic development agencies to revitalize Erie County.
- Penn State UniversitycorePartnership with Penn State University for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners initiative, including LaunchBox and Invent Penn State programs.
- Innovation Works (Ben Franklin partner for Southwestern Pennsylvania)coreOne of four independent Ben Franklin Technology Partners organizations covering distinct geographic territories in Pennsylvania, headquartered in Pittsburgh.
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PennsylvaniacoreOne of four independent Ben Franklin Technology Partners organizations covering distinct geographic territories in Pennsylvania, headquartered in Bethlehem.
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PennsylvaniacoreOne of four independent Ben Franklin Technology Partners organizations covering distinct geographic territories in Pennsylvania, headquartered in Philadelphia.
- PA Wilds Center for EntrepreneurshipcorePartner in the 'Igniting Innovation in the PA Wilds' initiative, a $3 million, three-year effort to make the 13 counties of the PA Wilds competitive for technology-based entrepreneurship.
- Penn-Northwest Development CorporationcoreCollaborative partner for the Mercer County Innovation Fund, working to invigorate economic growth and job creation within Mercer County.
- Pennsylvania Small Business Development CentersminorStatewide network partner providing small business development resources and referrals.
- Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP)minorTechnical assistance partner providing expertise to Ben Franklin client companies.
- Shenango Valley Enterprise ZoneminorLocal partner contributing to the Mercer County Innovation Fund for economic development.
- Greenville Area Economic Development Corp.minorLocal partner contributing to the Mercer County Innovation Fund for economic development.
- City of HermitageminorLocal partner contributing to the Mercer County Innovation Fund for economic development.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Innovation Works: Sister Ben Franklin Technology Partners organization covering Southwestern Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh; operates AlphaLab accelerator and provides seed capital and business support to tech startups and manufacturers using the same statewide BFTP model.
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania: Sister BFTP organization covering the Greater Philadelphia region; provides seed funding and business support services to tech startups and manufacturers under the same Pennsylvania DCED mandate.
- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Sister BFTP organization headquartered in Bethlehem covering the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern PA; operates the same investor-operated accelerator/fund model for regional tech startups and small manufacturers.
- Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA): Local impact-investing organization in Erie County that co-funds the Erie TechCelerator and Erie Revitalization Investment Fund with Ben Franklin CNP; shares the economic-development-investor mandate and deploys capital to regional entrepreneurs.
Emerging players
- Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Statewide network providing no-cost business consulting and training to small businesses; overlaps with Ben Franklin CNP's Transformation Business Services on the advisory side but does not deploy capital.
- Invent Penn State: Penn State's statewide innovation and entrepreneurship initiative operating LaunchBoxes and startup programs; co-funds and sources deals with Ben Franklin CNP across Pennsylvania but does not deploy its own venture capital.
- Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP): Penn State-affiliated technical assistance provider partnering with Ben Franklin CNP to deliver expertise to portfolio companies; overlaps on the business-support side of the BFTP value proposition but does not invest capital.
- Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania: Investor partner providing life-sciences-focused seed capital in Central PA; partners with Ben Franklin CNP on co-investments in life-sciences startups but is sector-specialized rather than generalist.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Global accelerator network operating investor-operated cohort programs and seed investment; comparable in function to Ben Franklin CNP's TechCelerator but operates at national/global scale rather than a state-mandated region.
- Y Combinator: The largest investor-operated startup accelerator providing seed capital and mentorship; functions similarly to TechCelerator but at a much larger global scale and with significantly larger check sizes and follow-on network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania social profiles
Digital presenceBen Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments33 records
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Frequently asked questions about Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania
What does Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania do?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is a state-funded economic development initiative that invests seed and risk capital in early-stage technology-based startups and small manufacturers across a 32-county Central and Northern Pennsylvania footprint. It provides staged investments (up to $500,000 for startups, up to $250,000 for manufacturers), regional innovation funds, a virtual accelerator (TechCelerator), pitch competitions, and free Transformation Business Services including mentoring in market research, accounting, HR, and strategic planning.
Is Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania a public or private company?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania founded?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania based?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania is headquartered in University Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. State Funding is the primary driver. The others are erie Insurance Partnership.
Who are Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Innovation Works, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA). Emerging players are Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Invent Penn State, Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania. Broad incumbents are Techstars and Y Combinator.
Does Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania.
What industry is Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania in?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania's product category is Economic Development Investment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of FSANAAAA, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed). Its NAICS code is 5239 and its SIC code is 6282.