For EDA Tech Hubs Designation, Philly’s Life Science Leaders Are Reaching Across State Lines

Ben Franklin Tech Partners is leading over 50 partners in applying for the federal program.

Here’s why orgs from southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and southern New Jersey have all joined this consortium.

Tech leaders from parts of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are working together to apply for federal EDA Tech Hubs designation.

The program run by the US Economic Development Administration aims to help regions without the same funding or name recognition as Silicon Valley become global competitors, and assist the US in its aims to become a major player in high-tech manufacturing.

Phase 1, with a deadline of Aug. 15, is focused on identifying 20 regions from around the country as Tech Hubs. Phase 2, which begins in the fall, gives those selected regions the opportunity to apply for strategy implementation funding — between $50 million and $75 million from the CHIPS and Science Act. (Phase 1 will also identify a separate round of regions to receive grants from a $15 million pool to help them grow into “future tech hubs,” per the EDA.)

Consortiums made up of institutions including universities, state or local government entities, private sector firms and economic development groups apply on a region’s behalf. These consortiums must also align themselves with one of 10 key technology focus areas for their application — say, life sciences or robotics or AI.

In the Greater Philadelphia region, Navy Yard-based Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is leading the charge for this effort. The state-backed venture firm enlisted over 50 partners across southeastern PA, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware for this consortium, with a focus on the region’s life sciences strengths.

Working together allows these partners to take advantage of all the assets in the region, strengthening the application, according to Tony Green, chief scientific officer at Ben Franklin Tech Partners.

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