Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

#BFEntrepreneurInsights: Fernando Alarcon Hardy, Co-Founder and CEO of Ben Franklin Northeast portfolio company, Ilico Genetics ?? Fernando offers valuable advice on what sets exceptional #Entrepreneurs apart. He emphasizes the importance of validating your assumptions — "talk to your customers, partners, investors, family, and friends about your business model." Through "pressure testing" your ideas, he believes you increase your chances of success and build a stronger foundation for growth. #BFInnovatesNEPA #EntrepreneurshipMonth24 Video credit: Structure Agency

Please join us in welcoming, Hope Williams, to the Ben Franklin Northeast team as Associate Manager for Client Development ?? In this role, Hope will lead the Solutions Network - managing a curated team of business consultants, technical experts, and professionals who provide critical support to the companies within our portfolio. Welcome, Hope! To read more, visit https://brnw.ch/21wOXjG ?? #BFInnovatesPA

We’re proud to have sponsored Lehigh University’s Powering PA’s Future Symposium. Representing Ben Franklin Northeast at this impactful event was Angelo J. Valletta, Kimberly Valuntas, Wayne Barz, and Hope Williams. The symposium brought together leaders from academia, industry, and government to explore pivotal topics for Pennsylvania’s future—innovation, talent retention, and collaboration. Supporting these critical conversations is central to our mission of advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and driving economic growth in the region ?? #BFInnovatesNEPA

Exciting news: Laura has been promoted to Senior Manager of Administration at Ben Franklin Northeast ?? Transitioning from her role as Senior Project Manager, Laura will now oversee and manage the execution of various projects from start to finish - ensuring they align with our organizational goals and meet regulatory requirements. Please help us in congratulating, Laura! To read more, visit https://brnw.ch/21wOQys ?? #BFInnovatesPA Photo credit: Marco Calderon Photography

Extending our thanks to everyone who joined us last week at the Bloomsburg Innovation Center, home to our small business incubator ?? Co-hosted with Wilkes University Small Business Development Center, the open house highlighted the state-of-the-art office spaces and provided valuable insights into the resources designed to support local business growth. We’re excited to be part of a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration in our community. Here's to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering progress! #BFInnovatesNEPA

Happy National Entrepreneurship Day ?? Part of our #BFEntrepreneurInsights campaign, Giana Jarrah, Founder of With Meraki Co. - a Ben Franklin Northeast portfolio company - offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs: "trust yourself when you have a clear vision and passion." She emphasizes the importance of embracing your uniqueness and having confidence in what you bring to the table—something that sets you apart from others in the field. #BFInnovatesNEPA #EntrepreneurshipMonth24 Video credit: Structure Agency

Ben Franklin Northeast was proud to support and sponsor the Women In Science Demonstrating Outstanding Merits' Connecting Our Talents: Women in STEM event, held at the Da Vinci Science Center ?? This impactful event aimed to bridge the gap from academia to industry for female STEM students, fostering valuable connections with key industry stakeholders and empowering the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Team members Sara, Kimberly, and Melanie were honored to attend and be part of this inspiring day. #BFInnovatesNEPA

Sharing our congratulations to Ben Franklin Northeast team member, Sara Breisch, on her promotion to Business Systems Analyst ?? Having transitioned from Program and Database Administrator, Sara will now play a key role in bridging the gap between business needs and technology solutions. She will be analyzing, designing, and implementing systems that drive efficiency and align with our organizational goals. To read more about Sara and her promotion, visit https://brnw.ch/21wODdX ?? #BFInnovatesPA Photo credit: Marco Calderon Photography

In honor of National Entrepreneurship Month, we're launching #BFEntrepreneurInsights ?? Amit Parmar, Co-Founder and CEO of Cliquify - a portfolio company of Ben Franklin Northeast - shares a tip for successful entrepreneurship: "listen – listen to prospects, customers, and the market." He encourages #Entrepreneurs to listen carefully and stay focused, allowing them to be guided by their core principles. #BFInnovatesNEPA #EntrepreneurshipMonth24 Video credit: Structure Agency

DeSales University's Forum for Ethics in the Workplace event last week sparked a valuable discussion on 'The Role of Leadership' in shaping ethical practices within organizations and communities. Angelo J. Valletta, President and CEO of Ben Franklin Northeast, led the conversation as moderator and the panel featured key insights from Donna LoStocco of First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Carol Obando-Derstine from PPL Electric Utilities, and Dianne Pagano Manges from Truist ?? #BFInnovatesNEPA