Aston Pierce Joins Ben Franklin As Investment Director For GO PA Fund
Contact:
Jason Bannon, Ben Franklin
jason.bannon@sep.benfranklin.org
Pierce to manage development of GO PA Fund and GO Philly Fund portfolios
PHILADELPHIA—January 18, 2024—Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) announces that Aston Pierce has joined the organization as Investment Director, Global Opportunity Pennsylvania Fund II (GO PA Fund) and Global Opportunity Philadelphia Fund I (GO Philly Fund). Pierce brings a blend of venture capital, growth equity, and alternative investment expertise to the Ben Franklin team, spanning a broad range of sectors and technologies.
Pierce will oversee all aspects of the GO PA Fund and GO Philly Fund day-to-day activities, including identifying potential investments, managing the due diligence process, and management and coordination of investment activities for both funds. Pierce served as a growth equity investor at Edison Partners focused on enterprise solutions, healthcare information technology, and financial technology. Before joining Edison, Pierce was a venture capital investor at Blu Ventures focused on enterprise software. He also held positions at the Rock Creek Group, Target Corporation, and an E-commerce startup. Pierce earned a BA in Economics and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
“As we invest in the growth of our region’s most dynamic companies with the GO PA Fund and GO Philly Fund, we are delighted to have a leader like Aston bolstering our efforts,” said Scott Nissenbaum, President and CEO of Ben Franklin. “Pennsylvania’s economy innovates across a broad range of industries including AI, therapeutics, robotics, ag tech, and digital health making Aston’s diverse investment experience a great asset for us, our companies and our partners.”
“Ben Franklin’s work to develop the GO PA Fund and GO Philly Fund is so important for innovation-focused investment in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region,” said Pierce. “I’m excited to join the Ben Franklin team. I am looking forward to collaborating with visionary founders and our partners to continue to support the Pennsylvania ecosystem.
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ABOUT BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (Ben Franklin) is the Philadelphia region’s Partners with a Purpose. Nationally ranked among the most active seed and early-stage investors, Ben Franklin helps high-growth innovative enterprises plant and nurture their roots, creating both immediate connections and lasting economic growth. The nonprofit has supported more than 2,000 companies to deliver an impact of more than $5 billion and 32,000 jobs in the Philadelphia region. Whether in tech, life sciences, manufacturing, or industries and breakthroughs yet discovered, Ben Franklin works to raise the community of innovation higher, to benefit present and future generations of Pennsylvanians. Visit us at www.partnerswithapurpose.org, or follow us at @bftp_sep.