Ben News

Clutch Raised $5.25 million and Acquired Chicago Company, Persio

January 17, 2017

Ambler-based marketing company Clutch has announced its acquisition of Chicago-based company Persio for an undisclosed amount. It also announced a $5.25 million round of funding, bringing the total fundraising to nearly $20 million. Persio, founded in 2012, is an intelligent mobile promotions platform. It has led hundreds of successful campaigns for retailers with inventive mobile marketing techniques like mobile scratch-and-win offers […]

Upcoming Event: Chime in on the Future of Health IT Growth in Philly

January 12, 2017

Last December, Philly’s potential for health IT growth got a boost. Alongside Safeguard Scientifics and Independence Blue Cross, we announced a $6 million fund for early-stage health IT companies in the Greater Philadelphia region. And now, we’re hosting a chat on what that growth should look like. On Jan. 31, execs from each of the partnering organizations will take your […]

Venture Capital’s Bold Move into Population Health

January 10, 2017

Two years ago, Raul Jain joined forces with a friend and others to create TowerView Health, a low-tech prescription management service. Now, the four founders were just named to the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. Startups like TowerView, which offer practical solutions for managing populations, are attracting serious investor interest. Global population health management as […]

Local Startup Viridity Energy Announces Acquisition by Ormat Technologies

January 9, 2017

Ormat Technologies has acquired Viridity Energy, a Philadelphia-based energy tech startup and Ben Franklin portfolio company. The Nevada-based geothermal and renewable energy company will purchase Viridity for an initial consideration of $35 million. Ormat purchased the private company based at Ten Penn Center in Center City with the aim of bringing on its proprietary SaaS platform that manages energy demand, […]

Personnel Profile: New Faces, New Roles

January 6, 2017

First and foremost, on behalf of the entire Ben Franklin team, I want to wish everyone a very prosperous and healthy New Year. 2016 was a noteworthy year for us, from the launch of ImpactPHL to the recent announcement of our digital health partnership with Safeguard Scientifics and Independence Blue Cross. Furthermore, we had many exciting changes […]

Event Recap: Founder Factory 2016

December 15, 2016

Last Thursday, December 8, Philly Startup Leaders hosted its annual Founder Factory, a day-long conference that aims to unleash the potential of Philadelphia entrepreneurs by bringing together the local community of founders, mentors, angels, VC’s, students, government groups, and community partners for a collaborative and engaging day of learning, teaching and community building. The day […]

A Partnership Ripe for the Region

December 9, 2016

At Philly Startup Leaders’ Founder Factory event yesterday, the $6M Ben Franklin/Independence Health Group/Safeguard digital health funding initiative was announced. Safeguard’s David Luk shared the organization’s perspective on why the time is right for the partnership. By now, most people are aware of Safeguard’s rich history of fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs along their path to disruption. Our […]

At $18 million of committed capital, Rittenhouse Ventures Announced the Final Closing of Rittenhouse Fund II

September 23, 2016

Rittenhouse Ventures today announced the final closing of Rittenhouse Fund II. At $18 million of committed capital, Rittenhouse II builds upon the firm’s strong performance in the Rittenhouse Fund I portfolio, which includes Tabula Rasa Healthcare, Core Solutions,Halfpenny Technologies, and Take the Interview. “Our mission is to partner with entrepreneurs to deliver right-sized investments, deep expertise, […]

Wells Fargo Supports AWE Ventures—Powered by Ben Franklin

May 27, 2016

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Wells Fargo has signed on as a Gold Partner for AWE Ventures – Powered by Ben Franklin. In complement to its diverse activities in raising awareness and participation of women in both entrepreneurship and investing, Wells Fargo supports this partnership of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Alliance […]

Ben Franklin Tech, more raise funds to honor late Brenda Gavin

May 19, 2016

Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) have joined forces in tribute to Brenda Gavin’s legacy by raising contributions, in her name, to AWE Ventures-Powered by Ben Franklin. Gavin, one of the country’s first female venture capitalists who helped guide dozens of Philadelphia-area biotechnology […]