PACT and Ben Franklin Launch Mentor Connect

PACT and Ben Franklin Launch Mentor Connect

PHILADELPHIA, PA Aug 29, 2017 — The Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) publically announce Mentor Connect, a program providing founders and leaders of emerging companies with coaching, connections, and tools to successfully grow their businesses.

Mentor Connect brings the experience of a curated team of leaders and experts to the entrepreneurs most ready to grow, assisting in the development of their business skills. As guided by the principles and standards of MIT Venture Mentoring Service, mentors deliver impartial and unbiased advice by a code of ethics to which all must adhere. Entrepreneurs from the PACT and Ben Franklin networks receive practical hands-on advice from teams of three to five mentors, tailored to each venture’s needs. The mentors volunteer their wealth of entrepreneurial insights from a broad range of industry and market-tested experience.

Thanks to positive response received from both entrepreneurs and mentors alike since the July 2016 soft launch of the program, PACT and Ben Franklin have already doubled Mentor Connect’s capacity to connect entrepreneurs and mentors, with close to 40 mentors, 27 mentees, and over 60 mentoring sessions already facilitated by the program. “I think the program is incredible,” says Mentor Connect participant, Kim Coffey of Talex Medical, “It is an amazing opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals at zero cost. I am lucky to have three mentors from different backgrounds and varied expertise that contribute greatly to guiding me in my maiden voyage.”

“When an entrepreneur with a good idea is matched with a team of mentors with proven skills and experience, their venture is more likely to succeed,” explained Dean Miller, PACT President and CEO. “We are enormously proud of year one’s success and what we were able to accomplish in such a short time. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Mentor Connect.”

“Ben Franklin’s focus is on the entrepreneur,” said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners. “We want to help the CEO to achieve his or her vision while building a growing enterprise that creates value for our region.  Mentor Connect offers focused support to the CEOs of our portfolio companies. It also re-engages, as mentors, some of our most successful entrepreneurs, men and women who are now on their second or third businesses and who are ready to give back by sharing their real experiences with new, first time entrepreneurs,” she added.

For more information, please visit mentorconnectphl.com and contact Jennifer Cohen.

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

About PACT
Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)’s vision is to be the go-to resource for fast growing companies, and a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Philadelphia region. PACT provides its members with valuable content and connections to capital, coaching, and customers that will accelerate their growth and success, and to collaborate with other organizations to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Visit www.philadelphiapact.com for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS
For Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Amanda V. Wagner
Public Relations and Community Development Associate
215-972-6700 x3084

For PACT
Amanda E. Nardi
Public Relations Manager, Corporate Communications
215-790-3608