Skip to content

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization focused on fostering innovation and economic growth through investments in technology-based companies. It operates as a quasi-public seed investor and hybrid accelerator across four regional centers in the state.

Founded
1983
Recorded stages
Pre Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
Recorded regions
United States, North America

Online destinations

Find Ben Franklin Technology Partners online

Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.

Official links

Pages the organization runs itself.

Overview

Founded in 1983, Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) is a statewide initiative dedicated to promoting technological innovation and economic development in Pennsylvania. The organization collaborates with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and has invested in over 4,500 technology-based companies, contributing to the creation of approximately 148,000 jobs and boosting the state’s economy by more than $25 billion. BFTP focuses on early-stage technology firms and established manufacturers, providing funding, business expertise, and access to a network of resources tailored to the diverse economic needs of different regions in Pennsylvania.

Focus

BFTP invests in technology-based industries across various sectors, including computer software, hardware, telecommunications, robotics, industrial machinery, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, instrumentation, and medical devices. The organization provides funding, business and technical expertise, and access to a network of resources to support the growth of its clients.

Support

BFTP offers not only funding but also business and technical expertise, along with access to a wide network of resources. This comprehensive support is designed to help portfolio companies grow and succeed in their respective markets.

Questions

What are the investment criteria for BFTP?

BFTP invests in early-stage technology firms and established manufacturers across various sectors, including SaaS, healthcare, biotech, and more. They focus on companies based in Pennsylvania or those committing to a significant presence in the state.

How can startups apply or pitch to BFTP?

Startups can apply by visiting the BFTP website and using the contact form available at benfranklin.org/connect. They can also reach out via email at info@benfranklin.org.

What makes BFTP different from traditional venture capital firms?

BFTP operates as a nonprofit initiative supported by the state, focusing on economic development rather than solely on financial returns. Their mission includes job creation and fostering innovation in Pennsylvania.

What is the typical check size for investments?

BFTP typically invests between $100,000 and $500,000 in seed-stage companies, with median investments around $200,000 to $250,000. The GO PA Fund can provide larger follow-on investments for growth-stage companies.

What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?

BFTP offers funding, business and technical expertise, and access to a wide network of resources to help portfolio companies grow and succeed in their respective markets.

What is the geographic scope of BFTP's investments?

BFTP exclusively invests in companies located in Pennsylvania or those that commit to establishing a significant presence in the state.

Check your startup’s fit

Check your startup’s fit with Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Similar investors

Organizations that do similar work to Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

All investors
Founders Fund logoInvestor

Founders Fund is a venture capital firm based in the United States, founded in 2005. It invests in technology companies across various sectors and stages.

AEA Investors logoInvestor

Transforming businesses for long-term success.

K2VC 险峰 logoInvestor

K2VC, based in Beijing, China, is a venture capital firm founded in 2010 that focuses on early-stage investments across technology, consumer, and industrial sectors. It manages nearly 10 billion RMB and has invested in over 700 startups.

BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH logoInvestor

BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH is an investment company based in Munich, focusing on equity financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bavaria. It has a long history of supporting over 4,000 companies with tailored financing solutions.

Superscout Pro

Find faster. Show up verified. Keep your deals private.

$99a year, or $12 a month
Get Pro

Is this page right?Reviewed · How the research works

Something's off