Alvernia University is partnering with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) to provide incubator support and explore investment opportunities for innovative projects, which would be developed by local industry partners and entrepreneurs through the university’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.
The institute is a member of the BFTP/NEP’s Ben Franklin Business Incubator Network. O’Pake’s student fellows program is a catalyst for educational and business expansion in Reading.
O’Pake also partners with Lehigh Valley Angel Investors, Kutztown University’s Small Business Development Center, SCORE Berks Schuylkill Chapter.
“Universities are good at solving problems that are not time-sensitive but require out-of-the-box thinking,” Dr. Rodney Ridley, O’Pake Institute vice president, associate provost and COO, said. “This partnership allows us to approach local companies to develop defined projects that provide an educational component for students and help provide an answer to a company’s problem. Ultimately, what is a win-win for business and a university is a completed project that would never have gotten done without the project partnership. This sets the stage for a long-term relationship.”
Ben Franklin established a business incubator in 1984.
Ben Franklin TechVentures has twice received International Business Innovation Association Incubator of the Year awards.