Ben Franklin announces nearly $1M in investments

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Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently approved $972,500 in investments to support eight early-stage companies and seven established manufacturers, fostering innovative product development, workforce expansion, and operational growth across the region.  

Of that amount, $785,000 in investments will be made to early-stage companies. 

Among the recipients is Hyrding LLC of Carbon County, which offers an AI-powered platform to streamline regulatory documentation for industries like life sciences, finance, and aerospace.  

Infuse AI Tech Corp. of Berks County offers tools designed to streamline machine learning workflows, enhancing productivity for organizations.  

Power Down Semiconductor Inc. Of Northampton County focuses on developing innovative, low-power solutions for microcontrollers and other semiconductors to optimize battery life and performance.  

Social Guides Inc. Of Lehigh County offers curated guides and recommendations on local dining, events, and experiences, helping users discover options tailored to their interests and location.  

The Varona Co. of Berks County offers Ocoa Beauty, a line of luxury hair care products designed to nourish and enhance curls, with a focus on clean ingredients and sustainability.  

Thread Bioscience of Lehigh County is focused on improving healthcare outcomes by leveraging advanced technologies to provide personalized diagnostic solutions. 

Meanwhile, $187,500 will be invested in manufacturers that are incorporating student enrichment work with a college or university partner. 

Among the recipients is American Crane & Equipment Company of Berks County, which has been an innovator of high-quality specialty lifting equipment for over 50 years. They will partner with Alvernia University on this project to select a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.  

Human Active Technology, LLC of Northampton County, which focuses on developing innovative technology solutions to improve ergonomics and enhance user experience in the workplace. On this project, Lehigh University’s ESC team will help assist in defining workflows to support future product flow.  

LifeAire Systems LLC of Berks County, which specializes in medical-grade air purification solutions, delivering high-purity air to sensitive environments. Its patented technology effectively removes airborne pathogens and chemical contaminants, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and ensure safety.  

NovaTech of Northampton County, which provides automation products and solutions for electric utilities, including substation automation, precision timing, metering, and grid edge applications. 

It will work with Lehigh University’s ESC team on the evaluation and selection of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. 

Wacker Silicone Manufactured Innovations LLC of Lehigh County, which specializes in silicone adhesive coating solutions for medical devices and advanced wound care applications. It will partner with Lehigh University to develop process documentation and training materials to support future improvements. 
Learn more at wacker.com  

 Some projects were financed in part from Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative funds from the Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.