Note: The application deadline has been extended to November 12th, noon.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA Seeking Applications from Startup Companies for Project Liberty Digital Incubator
Applications due noon on Monday, November 5th
PHILADELPHIA (www.sep.benfranklin.org) – Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA is seeking applications from startup companies for the Project Liberty Digital Incubator. An effort among Interstate General Media (IGM), the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ben Franklin, Dreamit Ventures and Drexel University, the Project Liberty Digital Incubator is stimulating the establishment and growth of digital media startup companies in the Philadelphia region.
Companies and entrepreneurs pursuing innovative products related to the news media, e-commerce, and mobile applications for smart phones and tablets, are encouraged to apply to the program. Applications can be downloaded here. The deadline for submission of applications is noon on Monday, November 5, 2012.
This third company class will build on the success of the alumni, which have successfully raised over $2 million, and include Dreamit Ventures graduates, Ben Franklin portfolio companies, and commercial partners with IMG. The alumni include CloudMine, ElectNext, SnipSnap, Rumble, Zaahah, and tapCLIQ.
“We’ve built a unique program here, and are excited for the third class. Start-ups selected to participate in Project Liberty have support they likely can’t find on their own, including access to one of both the nation’s largest media companies and leading seed investors,”
said Cory Donovan, Incubator Manager for Project Liberty.
“Project Liberty’s successful companies are bringing exciting new media technologies to market, and expanding their employee base,” said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President and CEO of Ben Franklin. “The partnership is exceeding our expectations for growing the region’s IT ecosystem,” she added.
“We’re looking forward to seeing these companies benefit from the Project Liberty Digital Incubator, and ultimately produce models that help strengthen both community news and information here in the fourth largest media market and throughout the country,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Philadelphia program director for Knight Foundation.
“I am very excited that our new multimedia space at 801 Market is furthering our efforts to engage both the entrepreneur and technology community of the Philadelphia region by hosting the Project Liberty Digital Incubator,” said Bob Hall, Publisher and CEO of Interstate General Media. “Our company believes the birth of innovative ideas and products are important, especially when mobile, apps and e-commerce are the starting point for potentially bringing such concepts to market,” he added.
The Project Liberty Digital Incubator is made possible through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to Ben Franklin, operator of the incubator. It is hosted in IGM’s headquarters at 801 Market Street. IGM’s publications, also based at this location, are The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia SportsWeek and Philly.com.
Project Liberty Digital Incubator companies receive a range of benefits from the incubator, including mentoring and strategic business counseling from Ben Franklin. Interstate General Media, provides the startups with free office space, utilities, software, and administrative support, as well as provides access to Philly.com – one of the nation’s leading regional news and information portals — as a platform for launching their new products. In addition, Drexel University provides graduate and undergraduate students with the unique opportunity to work with and move freely between the startup companies and IGM’s established media business. Dreamit Ventures, a nationally renowned Philadelphia-based startup accelerator program, provides a source of applicants for the incubator.
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a national, award winning organization for Stimulating Entrepreneurial Potential, through entrepreneurship, technology and innovation. For thirty years, Ben Franklin has provided the Capital, Knowledge and Networks that help innovative enterprises compete in the global marketplace, generating wealth and supporting regional economic growth. Ben Franklin has invested more than $165 million to grow more than 1,750 regional enterprises, across all areas of technology. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community of Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. www.sep.benfranklin.org
About Interstate General Media
Interstate General Media (IGM) is comprised of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia SportsWeek and Philly.com. With its multiple brand platforms and integrated print and digital products, IGM is the region’s largest media network and the industry’s technological leader and innovator. Interstate General Media reaches an average weekly audience of 2.2 million adults – more than the combination of the three evening television news shows or the combination of those radio stations ranked in the top ten during drive-time programming. www.philly.com
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. www.knightfoundation.org
Contact:
Jaron J. Rhodes
Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SE PA
Office: (215) 972-6700, ext. 3214
jaron@sep.benfranklin.org
Mark Block
Vice President, External Relations; Interstate General Media
Office: (215) 854-5640 | Cell: (202) 494-0450
mblock@phillynews.com
Andrew Sherry
Vice President/Communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Office: (305) 908-2677
sherry@knightfoundation.org
