Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization established in 1982 that serves as a vital capital provider and supporter of technology development in the region. Based in Philadelphia, it has invested over $170 million in more than 2,000 early-stage and established technology companies, fostering innovation primarily in information technology, health, and physical sciences. The organization not only provides financial support but also develops partnerships between universities and industries to accelerate the commercialization of scientific discoveries. By strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, Ben Franklin Technology Partners plays a crucial role in job creation and economic transformation in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Beschen

Investment Director, Information Technology Investment Group

Anthony George

Analyst

Mark de Grandpre

Investor

Kevon Gray

Analyst

Roze McDevitt

Analyst

Adare McMillan

CFO

Omar Mencin

Managing Director, Information Technology Investment Group

Kathie Jordan Ph.D

Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Group

Past deals in Nanotechnology

Nia Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2021
Nia Therapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing neurostimulation therapies aimed at treating memory impairment, particularly in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Founded in 2016 and based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the company emerged from research at the University of Pennsylvania and was influenced by the United States BRAIN Initiative. Nia Therapeutics specializes in creating devices that analyze complex brain activity linked to memory function, delivering personalized therapy through deep-brain stimulation. This innovative approach seeks to enhance memory by restoring the brain activity essential for effective memory recall.

Avisi Technologies

Seed Round in 2021
Avisi Technologies Inc. is focused on developing innovative solutions to combat glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The company has created VisiPlate, a next-generation aqueous shunt designed for mid to late-stage glaucoma treatment. This product is notable for its ultrathin design, being 20 times thinner than a human hair, which facilitates a less invasive insertion procedure that reduces operating time and simplifies follow-up care. VisiPlate is constructed from alumina, a material recognized for its use in hip replacements, thus ensuring biocompatibility. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Avisi Technologies aims to address the challenges associated with current glaucoma treatments, including patient non-compliance and post-operative complications, ultimately striving to prevent blindness in affected individuals.

Chromatan

Debt Financing in 2020
ChromaTan Inc. specializes in developing continuous countercurrent tangential chromatography (CCTC) technology for the purification of monoclonal antibodies and proteins. Founded in 2007 and located in Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, the company addresses significant process bottlenecks in the production of therapeutic proteins by offering a cost-effective, column-free, and single-use purification solution. ChromaTan's CCTC platform has undergone extensive beta testing with numerous major biotech firms, demonstrating a 5 to 15 times increase in throughput while maintaining or improving product quality. This innovative technology provides a scalable alternative to traditional large-scale column chromatography processes, benefiting biotechnology and contract manufacturing companies by lowering production costs and enhancing efficiency.

Route Dynamics Corp.

Debt Financing in 2020
Nexteon Technologies specializes in automated dynamic rerouting technology for commercial and general aviation airline fleets. The company has developed a platform known as SmartRoutes, which performs continuous real-time analysis of live air traffic. This technology identifies high-value route correction options for airlines, helping to optimize flight times and reduce fuel consumption. Founded in 2017, Nexteon Technologies is headquartered in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, and aims to enhance operational efficiency in the aviation sector through its innovative solutions.

Navrogen

Convertible Note in 2019
Navrogen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 2017. The company focuses on the targeted treatment of cancer by developing technology platforms that enhance the immune system's ability to combat tumors. Navrogen's innovative approach involves identifying tumor-produced proteins that suppress the body's humoral immune response, which can hinder the effectiveness of cancer treatments. By assembling a database of tumor types that produce these immuno-suppressive factors, Navrogen aims to enable physicians to better understand and overcome the challenges posed by these proteins, ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes for patients with cancer.

Avisi Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Avisi Technologies Inc. is focused on developing innovative solutions to combat glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The company has created VisiPlate, a next-generation aqueous shunt designed for mid to late-stage glaucoma treatment. This product is notable for its ultrathin design, being 20 times thinner than a human hair, which facilitates a less invasive insertion procedure that reduces operating time and simplifies follow-up care. VisiPlate is constructed from alumina, a material recognized for its use in hip replacements, thus ensuring biocompatibility. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Avisi Technologies aims to address the challenges associated with current glaucoma treatments, including patient non-compliance and post-operative complications, ultimately striving to prevent blindness in affected individuals.

Avisi Technologies

Seed Round in 2019
Avisi Technologies Inc. is focused on developing innovative solutions to combat glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The company has created VisiPlate, a next-generation aqueous shunt designed for mid to late-stage glaucoma treatment. This product is notable for its ultrathin design, being 20 times thinner than a human hair, which facilitates a less invasive insertion procedure that reduces operating time and simplifies follow-up care. VisiPlate is constructed from alumina, a material recognized for its use in hip replacements, thus ensuring biocompatibility. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Avisi Technologies aims to address the challenges associated with current glaucoma treatments, including patient non-compliance and post-operative complications, ultimately striving to prevent blindness in affected individuals.

DecNut

Seed Round in 2015
DecNut LLC specializes in developing point-of-care technologies aimed at enhancing clinical decision-making across various healthcare environments. The company offers an application that integrates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines directly into healthcare providers' workflows. This integration facilitates improved resource utilization and allows healthcare professionals to efficiently aggregate, update, disseminate, and evaluate customized clinical decision support tools. By focusing on these solutions, DecNut aims to streamline the decision-making process for clinicians, ultimately improving patient outcomes in diverse settings.

Netminder

Seed Round in 2014
NETMINDER LLC provides a photoactive release coating that protects netting from UV degradation and minimizes biofouling. The company offers NETMINDER, a water-based silicone release coating designed for use on nets, bags, ropes, cages, traps, and buoys. Its product is used in fin fish farming, shellfish farming, and fishing applications. NETMINDER LLC was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.

Annovis Bio

Seed Round in 2012
Annovis Bio is specialty pharmaceutical company founded to develop novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The company has two compounds in clinical development: Posiphen® targets early stage AD and PD and may stop or slow the progression of the disease; BNC targets late stage AD and may stabilize the decline.

Novasentis

Series A in 2008
Novasentis (formerly Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.), created the world’s first electro-mechanical polymer (EMP), the thinnest and most flexible haptic actuator and sensor technology today, used to develop mobile and wearable products that come alive with movement and sound. By bridging consumer electronics and sensory interaction, Novasentis enables 4D spatial tactile experiences and next-generation mobile product designs. Novasentis is privately funded. The company is based in San Francisco Bay Area and has offices in Pennsylvania, Korea, and Tokyo. More information on Novasentis is online at www.novasentis.com

Bionano

Seed Round in 2006
BioNanomatrix, Inc. develops nanoscale imaging and analytic platforms that are designed to analyze DNA and other genome-related peptides and proteins. The company's technology provides analysis of genomic, epigenomic, and proteomic information with sensitivity at the single molecule level. Its products are used in genetic diagnostics, personalized medicine, and biomedical research applications.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.