Ben Franklin Invests $6.5M to Drive Growth in Regional Tech, Health-Care Sectors in 2024

PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 6, 2025) – Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania approved nearly $6.5 million in funding to 28 companies throughout the five-county region in 2024, according to the latest annual impact report, which highlights some of the successes from its growing portfolio and partners.

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

“From artificial intelligence and machine learning to advances in personalized health care, 2024 was a year of breakthroughs that pushed the boundaries of what is possible – and our entrepreneurs were at the forefront,” Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania President and CEO Scott Nissenbaum said.

The network’s portfolio now includes 186 companies that have raised $479 million in post-Ben Franklin follow-on capital, helping clients create 324 jobs while retaining another 1,675 positions throughout the Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and Philadelphia).

CLICK HERE to view the full “Ben Franklin Impact Report 2024.”

Among the standout areas of growth in 2024 was Ben Franklin’s continued leadership in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Ben Franklin now has 76 active healthcare portfolio companies, having directly invested $2.9 million to help entrepreneurs raise $255 million in follow-on capital. These clients work in biologics; cell and gene therapy; behavioral health; medical technology and diagnostics; software; medical devices; therapeutics and more.

“With continued advancements in biotechnology and digital health, we have seen tremendous innovation that is improving lives, advancing treatments, and reshaping how health care is delivered,” said Kathie Jordan, managing director of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Investment Group.

Ben Franklin also continues to focus on emerging technologies, investing $3.6 million in 110 active portfolio companies that have raised an additional $270 million to support advancements in software; robotics; consumer and business-to-business applications; cybersecurity; food and agriculture; green technology; logistics and more.

“We aim to drive progress, create value, and foster sustainable growth for both our portfolio companies and the broader tech ecosystem,” Nissenbaum said. “Our dedication to nurturing innovation positions us as a trusted partner in shaping tomorrow’s technological landscape.”

The “Ben Franklin Impact Report 2024” comes on the heels of Philadelphia being named one of the top spots globally for startups. According to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, Philadelphia had the 13th best ecosystem, moving up 12 spots from the previous year.

For more information, click here. 

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