Author: pbj_repost

Fast-Growing Swarthmore Fintech Raises $28M, Plans Hiring Spree

February 13, 2024

LoanStar Technologies, the rapidly growing Swarthmore fintech, has raised nearly $28 million to accelerate sales and expand headcount. The Series A was led by Connecticut-based Sageview Capital, with participation from Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ Go PA Fund. The $27.85 million infusion brings LoanStar Technologies’ total funding to roughly $33 million since its founding in 2016. LoanStar Technologies’ […]

Philadelphia Startup Burro Raises $24M With Plans To Expand Its Fleet Of Robots And Triple Revenue

January 10, 2024

Burro raised another $24 million from investors as it looks to grow revenue, hire additional employees and expand its fleet of agricultural robots. The Philadelphia startup’s Series B round was co-led by New York-based Catalyst Investors and Palo Alto-based Translink Capital and joined by existing investors S2G Ventures, Toyota Ventures, F-Prime Capital and the Cibus […]

Judith Von Seldeneck’s Capital Fund To Award $2M To Local Women-Owned Businesses

January 5, 2024

A fund focused on investing in women-owned businesses and helmed by Diversified Search Group Founder and Chair Judith von Seldeneck is readying to invest $2 million locally through a forthcoming round of grants. Applications for the latest round of the JVS Philadelphia Fund for Women are now open and will be accepted through March 6. To be […]

Philadelphia Data Mapping Startup Founded By Former White House Staffer Raises $3M To Fuel Growth

December 29, 2023

A Philadelphia startup founded by a former White House staffer that maps geographic population data to help inform policymakers, business leaders and students has raised $3 million to accelerate its growth and up its headcount. PolicyMap Inc. was founded in 2018 by Maggie McCullough, who has also held roles with the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth […]

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Has Closed On $28M As Part Of Largest-Ever Fund

November 9, 2023

Ben Franklin Technology Partners has raised its largest ever amount of capital, securing $28 million towards its $100 million statewide fund in a bid to retain and grow startups in Pennsylvania. The Global Opportunity Pennsylvania Fund, or GO PA Fund II, follows the $24.3 million GO Philly Fund Ben Franklin Technology Partners closed in 2019. The GO […]

Soaring 76 rankings 2023: Greater Philadelphia’s fastest-growing companies, Nos. 1-25

September 30, 2023

Despite a number of headwinds over the past three years – a global pandemic, labor shortages, supply chain issues, and fluctuating market conditions, to name just a few – area companies proved their grit. Surviving those challenges is laudable, but thriving in them is astounding. These 76 companies did just that, weathering storms and coming […]

New Hope’s Cecilian Partners Raises $11M After Tripling Revenue

September 23, 2023

New Hope real estate technology firm Cecilian Partners has raised an $11 million Series A after tripling its revenue. The funding round was led by Baltimore-based Resolve Growth Partners. Founded in 2019, Cecilian Partners creates software platforms and other technology for homebuilders and homebuyers. CEO John Cecilian Jr. said that the fresh capital will be […]

September 21, 2023

Philadelphia has always been a city of firsts, from the first public library to the first zoo. Now, it’s time for us to add another feather to our cap with the first female mayor. As Cherelle Parker breaks through glass ceilings, she brings with her a fresh perspective and a determination to create a culture […]

Investment Deals Slow For Ben Franklin Technology Partners In ‘Tightened’ Capital Market.

September 19, 2023

Investments by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania in fiscal year 2023 reflected a slow capital market, and CEO Scott Nissenbaum said more of the same could be coming. Ben Franklin receives state funding, so it isn’t as pressured by external market conditions as a traditional venture capital firm, but it still saw fewer companies raising […]

These 20 Innovators Are PHL Inno’s 2023 Fire Awards Honorees

June 28, 2023

It’s been a tough year for startups, with many forced to tighten their belts and lay off employees as venture capital funding dried up. Despite the national funding slump, Philadelphia-area startups continue to prove they’ve got fight in them, with the region landing among the top metros for venture capital deals in the first quarter and being […]