Ben News

Local Startup Viridity Energy Announces Acquisition by Ormat Technologies

January 9, 2017

Ormat Technologies has acquired Viridity Energy, a Philadelphia-based energy tech startup and Ben Franklin portfolio company. The Nevada-based geothermal and renewable energy company will purchase Viridity for an initial consideration of $35 million. Ormat purchased the private company based at Ten Penn Center in Center City with the aim of bringing on its proprietary SaaS platform that manages energy demand, […]

Personnel Profile: New Faces, New Roles

January 6, 2017

First and foremost, on behalf of the entire Ben Franklin team, I want to wish everyone a very prosperous and healthy New Year. 2016 was a noteworthy year for us, from the launch of ImpactPHL to the recent announcement of our digital health partnership with Safeguard Scientifics and Independence Blue Cross. Furthermore, we had many exciting changes […]

Event Recap: Founder Factory 2016

December 15, 2016

Last Thursday, December 8, Philly Startup Leaders hosted its annual Founder Factory, a day-long conference that aims to unleash the potential of Philadelphia entrepreneurs by bringing together the local community of founders, mentors, angels, VC’s, students, government groups, and community partners for a collaborative and engaging day of learning, teaching and community building. The day […]

A Partnership Ripe for the Region

December 9, 2016

At Philly Startup Leaders’ Founder Factory event yesterday, the $6M Ben Franklin/Independence Health Group/Safeguard digital health funding initiative was announced. Safeguard’s David Luk shared the organization’s perspective on why the time is right for the partnership. By now, most people are aware of Safeguard’s rich history of fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs along their path to disruption. Our […]

At $18 million of committed capital, Rittenhouse Ventures Announced the Final Closing of Rittenhouse Fund II

September 23, 2016

Rittenhouse Ventures today announced the final closing of Rittenhouse Fund II. At $18 million of committed capital, Rittenhouse II builds upon the firm’s strong performance in the Rittenhouse Fund I portfolio, which includes Tabula Rasa Healthcare, Core Solutions,Halfpenny Technologies, and Take the Interview. “Our mission is to partner with entrepreneurs to deliver right-sized investments, deep expertise, […]

Wells Fargo Supports AWE Ventures—Powered by Ben Franklin

May 27, 2016

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 […]

Ben Franklin Tech, more raise funds to honor late Brenda Gavin

May 19, 2016

Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) have joined forces in tribute to Brenda Gavin’s legacy by raising contributions, in her name, to AWE Ventures-Powered by Ben Franklin. Gavin, one of the country’s first female venture capitalists who helped guide dozens of Philadelphia-area biotechnology […]

Philly universities about to get a DOD windfall for smart fabrics

April 1, 2016

Philadelphia universities already deep into research on smart fabrics and wearable technology will earn a major boost from the Department of Defense on Friday that could jump-start the next big things in “smart wear” for health, security, communications, energy, and fashion. Holding court Friday morning at MIT, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter is announcing $75 […]

Meet the AWE Ventures Funded Companies

April 1, 2016

Attend Women Funding Innovation through Angel Investing – Presented by AWE Ventures powered by Ben Franklin. Tuesday, April 5, 2016 Hosted by 1847 Financial 161 Washington St, Suite 700 Conshohocken, PA 19428 4:00 – 6:00pm Program 6:00 – 7:30pm Networking and Company Updates This is your last chance to register to meet the […]

A new startup investment program is coming to Philadelphia

March 25, 2016

Ben Franklin Technology Partners is working with D.C.-based Village Capital to drum up attention for Philly’s tech community. Interestingly, the local effort will focus on fintech startups. Ben Franklin Technology Partners Director Omar Mencin and spokesman Jason Bannon are heading to Salt Lake City Thursday to represent Philadelphia in a new program to drive investment dollars to […]