STATE COLLEGE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Have you been thinking about developing or commercializing an innovative product, process, or new software application? Then, you need to think about Ben Franklin Technology Partners! Our risk-free BIG IDEA contests have been helping folks get #startup funding in PA for nearly 20 years. Check out this video https://youtu.be/xODPar6zUzI
This year’s cash prizes will be awarded to four winners. First Place: $25,000 cash plus a $10,000 seed grant: Second Place: $15,000: Third Place: $7,500 and a People’s Choice Award: $2,500.
A simple online application could be the first step in taking you from StartUP to UP and running. Visit http://bigidea.benfranklin.org. No need to share your “secret sauce” or any detail you believe is proprietary. The deadline to apply is October 2, 2017 at 5:00 PM.
What are the eligible counties? Cambria, Fulton, Indiana, Somerset, Jefferson, Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon, Centre, Juniata, Mifflin, and Clearfield.
This year’s First Place Winner will receive:
- $25,000 in cash
- Priority access to a Pre-Seed Grant from Ben Franklin valued at up to $10,000
- A one-year pass to seminars offered by Ben Franklin’s eMarketing Learning Center http://emarketinglearningcenter.org valued at $3,000
- A free consult (and proposal prep), valued at $3,000 on how to access Federal R&D grant money from the Innovation Partnership http://innovationpartnership.net
You are eligible to apply to the BIG IDEA contest IF:
- You are located in one of the participating counties
- You are developing/commercializing a new, innovative tech-based product
- You have not previously received an investment from Ben Franklin
- Your business is either pre-revenue or did not have sales that exceeded $500,000 in 2016.
For questions, contact jilledwards@psu.edu or phone 717-948-6625.
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners:
The largest early-stage seed investor in our region, Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP, (an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority) provides funding, operational assistance, and business support services to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing manufacturers for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania. Visit Ben Franklin’s website at www.cnp.benfranklin.org.
We Inve$t in Innovation
