Ben Franklin Invested $6.5M in 28 Companies in 2025

Annual report highlights diverse, growing regional innovation ecosystem

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) approved more than $6.5 million in funding to 28 companies throughout the five-county region in 2025, according to the latest annual impact report.

Those investments included $3.55 million for 17 technology-related companies and $2.9 million for 11 companies in the health-care sector.

“Innovation is ultimately about people — entrepreneurs with bold ideas, investors willing to take calculated risks and partners committed to building a stronger regional economy,” Ben Franklin President and CEO Scott Nissenbaum said. “Our role is to connect those people and provide the capital, expertise and relationships that help innovative companies grow — and to keep that momentum going.”

The network’s portfolio now includes 188 companies that have raised $521 million in post-Ben Franklin follow-on capital, helping clients create 259 jobs while retaining another 2,036 positions throughout the Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and Philadelphia).

Almost half of Ben Franklin’s portfolio companies are led by BIPOC founders (48%) and nearly half are led by women (47%), demonstrating that innovation and inclusion are essential to long-term economic growth for the region.

CLICK HERE to view the full “Ben Franklin Impact Report 2025.”

Greater Philadelphia reached an important milestone this year, rising to the No. 5 biopharma cluster in the United States. This recognition reflects the strength of the regional innovation ecosystem, with Ben Franklin supporting the entrepreneurs and companies that are driving momentum across life sciences, technology, manufacturing and other emerging industries.

Ben Franklin now has 78 active healthcare portfolio companies, having directly invested $3 million to help entrepreneurs raise $257 million in follow-on capital. These clients work in biotechnology, digital health, medical technology, pharmaceuticals and more.

Ben Franklin also continues to focus on emerging technologies, investing $3.5 million in 110 active portfolio companies that have raised an additional $264 million to support advancements in software, robotics, consumer products and services, business-to-business applications, data analytics, food and agriculture, and green technology.

“This year’s impact report demonstrates what is possible when innovation is paired with purpose,” said Ben Franklin board chairman Doc Parghi, a managing partner with SRI Capital. “We are proud of the progress we have made, and even more energized by the opportunities ahead to continue pushing boundaries, creating meaningful impact and setting a higher standard for what technology can achieve.”

For more information, visit the impact report.