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News Room - Press Releases
07-31-07
For further information:
Liz Wilson, Ben Franklin Technology PArtners CNP
814-898-6650
lizwilson@psu.edu
Ben Franklin Approves $2.6 Million for Pennsylvania Entrepreneurs
ERIE, PA - In the first round of funding for the 2007/2008 program year, Ben Franklin Technology PArtners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania and its Board of Directors approved more than $2.6 million in funding for 21 tech-based companies, two regional business incubators, seven university-based Centers of Excellence, and two special initiatives located in the 34-county footprint served by the Central and Northern office.
In the NW Pennsylvania Region, nine companies, two Entrepreneurial Support Projects, and the RFID Center of Excellence, located at Penn State Erie - The Behrend College, were funded for a total of $835,730.
Paradigm Wave Inc. - Erie County - received $100,000 to develop and market a suite of RFID software products that will enable businesses to easily integrate RFID hardware with existing enterprise applications. See www.paradigmwaveinc.com
Liberty Technologies Group - Warren County - received $50,000 to develop a proprietary hardening technology which is potentially useful in a variety of industrial applications. See www.libertytechnologiesgroup.com
Protective Sports Equipment Inc - Erie County - received $125,000 for the field testing and manufacture of the Gladiator helmet, an energy absorptive, highly protective football helmet. See www.procapprotection.com
DuraTite™ Systems LLC - Erie County - received $100,000 to produce world-class plastic HVAC ducting components that speed installation, eliminate injury to the installer, and increase energy efficiency in residential and light-commercial buildings. See www.duratite.com
RaVTech Inc. - Erie County - received $90,000 to further develop bearings, tappets, and piston pins for the general aviation market for use in reciprocating aircraft engines.
See www.ravtech.com
Hydro-Enclosure Inc. - Clarion County - received $28,450 to produce hot-water heating units for residential, modular homes. The company is patenting the unique features of the heating units. For more information, contact Aaron Husted at (814) 764-6229.
Knox-Western Inc. - Erie County - received $127,000 to develop a manufacturing process that would reduce the labor and installation costs associated with the company's compressor products by 20%. See www.knox-western.com
ChipBLASTER Inc. - Crawford County - received $50,000 for further development of a new high pressure pump. See www.chipblaster.com.
RFID Center of Excellence - Erie County - received $71,180 to further develop programs that will help implement RFID technology into their everyday business processes. See www.behrend.psu.edu/rfid
Precision Manufacturing Institute - Crawford County- received $45,000 to implement a collective R&D program that will offer small companies the opportunity to engage in product evaluation, material specification, product design review, testing, and mold production for the purpose of developing new products. See www.pmionline.edu
Erie Technology Incubator/Gannon University, Erie County, received $49,100 to support the marketing efforts associated with the services of the soon-to-be-constructed technology incubator located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. See www.gannon.edu
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Ben Franklin Technology PArtners CNP provides operational assistance, entrepreneurial support, and investment capital to emerging tech-based companies and small, existing businesses for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs in Pennsylvania. Contact the Erie office of Ben Franklin in Knowledge Park at (814) 898-6650 or see our website at www.cnp.benfranklin.org |
