In partnership with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, and with funding support provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ recent innovation competition targeted the counties of Centre, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson.
Dozens of emerging entrepreneurs who are developing an innovation related to the maker economy, forest products, outdoors and recreation and even tech manufacturing, visited the site to check out the rules, eligibility and application process. Nearly 40 submitted an application by the contest’s deadline on April 18.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been offering Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and small manufacturers the opportunity to compete in risk-free “Big Idea” contests for nearly 20 years. The winner will be announced at a pitch event to be held on June 9 at the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois.
The prize package includes up to $50,000 in cash, the opportunity to win an additional $2,500 in a People’s Choice Award, the chance to pitch the business concept for a $10,000 seed grant from Ben Franklin, and a guaranteed seat in an upcoming business accelerator program.
Six finalists were selected and come from Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion counties. They are:
Clearfield County
- (Tom Johnson), located in Clearfield County, has developed a patented Nimbus-Key ID system for a more advanced identification and authentication of users, employees, and customers, to protect the “front door” entry to enterprises while protecting user information.
Jefferson County
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- (Jeffrey Billett), located in Jefferson County, offers a multiple source grounding facilitation system for the oil and gas drilling industry that provides a fast, easy, and reliable means to make proper grounding and bonding connections.
- (Ryno Pretorious and Derek Lengenfelder), located in Jefferson County, offers a proven, patented, and environmentally-friendly fluorination technology for rare earth materials, enabling Neodime’s ability to enter the market to metals manufacturing. Neodime offers its technologies, specialist engineering design, and consulting services in the rare earth element value chain development.
Clarion County
- (Emily Weiser, Theron Miles, Thomas McConnell, Cheyenne McIntyre), located in Clarion County, produces Precast Transformer Pads and Solar Panel Foundations made to specification to prevent contractors from losing time and materials due to adverse weather and poor-quality concrete.
- (John Brooks), located in Clarion County, manufactures energy efficient building envelope solutions that manage all four control layers of the exterior wall (bulk water, thermal insulation, air infiltration, and moisture vapor).
(Esperanzo Wilcox), located in Clarion County, sources wild native Pennsylvania mushroom strains. By isolating mushroom genetics, and use of mycological breeding practices, the company develops new strains of organic gourmet and medicinal mushrooms for food and pharmaceuticals.
