Wells Fargo Supports AWE Ventures—Powered by Ben Franklin

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Wells Fargo has signed on as a Gold Partner for AWE Ventures – Powered by Ben Franklin.

In complement to its diverse activities in raising awareness and participation of women in both entrepreneurship and investing, Wells Fargo supports this partnership of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs.

“Wells Fargo believes in empowering women to succeed financially both in business and personally,” says Melissa Landay, Regional Vice President of Wells Fargo Middle Market Commercial Banking’s Metro Philadelphia/Delaware Regional Office. “We’re already aligned with AWE Ventures’ focus on increasing the growth of women in both entrepreneurship and investing, so we’re excited to support this initiative.”

“As Wells Fargo has already committed more than $48 billion in lending activity toward women-owned and led businesses, we’re thrilled for their partnership with AWE Ventures,” says RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President and CEO of Ben Franklin. Adds Joan Waters, director of AWE Ventures and Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs board member, “Wells Fargo’s support of AWE Ventures truly reinforces the potential for growth of women in the investment and innovation ecosystems of Greater Philadelphia.”

AWE Ventures — Powered by Ben Franklin matches the insight and strength of AWE’s committed and strong network supporting women in entrepreneurship with the investment leadership of Ben Franklin to expand the potential of women in the entrepreneurial and investing communities. Bridging a critical entry gap for any new enterprise, AWE Ventures raises crowdfunded, donation-driven capital exclusively for women-led startups and emerging enterprises. Matching donor contributions up to $250K to form a $500K pool, Ben Franklin will invest in these companies via its well respected investment process, while engaging donors to the world of investments in early stage women-led enterprises.

The AWE Ventures portfolio of women-led high-growth enterprises approved for investment includes InvisAlert Solutions, Dynamis Skin Science. MyMilkcrate, ROAR for Good, LIA Diagnostics, and I’m Sorry To Hear.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.8 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,800 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 269,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.

www.wellsfargo.com

About the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs
The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) leads the mid-Atlantic region in advancing high-growth businesses founded by women. Through its powerful network, access to funding, and community of role models, AWE identifies companies with the potential to scale and helps them grow. We are proud of our members who have founded innovative ventures that have resulted in significant growth and economic impact.

www.phillyawe.com

About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Ben Franklin is the most active early stage capital provider for the region’s technology sectors. Ben Franklin combines best practices of venture capital with a public-spirited purpose: leading the region’s technology community to new heights, creating jobs and changing lives for the better. Ben Franklin is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

www.sep.benfranklin.org

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