Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization established in 1982 that serves as a vital capital provider and supporter of technology development in the region. Based in Philadelphia, it has invested over $170 million in more than 2,000 early-stage and established technology companies, fostering innovation primarily in information technology, health, and physical sciences. The organization not only provides financial support but also develops partnerships between universities and industries to accelerate the commercialization of scientific discoveries. By strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, Ben Franklin Technology Partners plays a crucial role in job creation and economic transformation in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Beschen

Investment Director, Information Technology Investment Group

Anthony George

Analyst

Mark de Grandpre

Investor

Kevon Gray

Analyst

Roze McDevitt

Analyst

Adare McMillan

CFO

Omar Mencin

Managing Director, Information Technology Investment Group

Kathie Jordan Ph.D

Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Group

Past deals in Drones

Deepwave Digital

Seed Round in 2020
Deepwave Digital, Inc. manufactures artificial intelligence (AI)-based hardware/software sensor solutions for radio frequency (RF) and wireless system companies. . The company’s products include Artificial Intelligence Radio Transceiver (AIR-T) which is a software defined radio. It offers software, such as AirPack, AirStack Sandbox, and Spectrum Sensing that enables RF and wireless systems to receive, detect, and identify signals in the spectral environment. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

DrayNow

Series A in 2020
DrayNow, Inc., founded in 2017 and based in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, operates as a technology company specializing in the intermodal freight sector. It offers a real-time online marketplace that connects intermediaries with carriers, facilitating the efficient management of intermodal freight transportation. By leveraging advanced technology, DrayNow enables users to maintain constant visibility of shipments, compare rates, view load details, and select available loads in real-time. This innovative platform optimizes the first and last mile of intermodal logistics, enhancing operational efficiency and helping companies achieve higher levels of capacity, service, and profitability.

Exyn

Debt Financing in 2020
Exyn Technologies, Inc. is a Philadelphia-based company specializing in autonomous aerial robotics, having emerged from the GRASP Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Founded in 2014, the company has developed exynAI, a modular software system that enables pilot-less flights for drones in complex commercial settings. This technology leverages multiple redundant sensors and advanced mapping techniques to facilitate obstacle avoidance and autonomous flight planning, allowing for applications such as underground inspections, inventory management, and construction documentation. Exyn's drones operate without human control or GPS, making them particularly suited for navigating challenging environments and automating hazardous tasks.

Deepwave Digital

Seed Round in 2019
Deepwave Digital, Inc. manufactures artificial intelligence (AI)-based hardware/software sensor solutions for radio frequency (RF) and wireless system companies. . The company’s products include Artificial Intelligence Radio Transceiver (AIR-T) which is a software defined radio. It offers software, such as AirPack, AirStack Sandbox, and Spectrum Sensing that enables RF and wireless systems to receive, detect, and identify signals in the spectral environment. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Deepwave Digital

Seed Round in 2018
Deepwave Digital, Inc. manufactures artificial intelligence (AI)-based hardware/software sensor solutions for radio frequency (RF) and wireless system companies. . The company’s products include Artificial Intelligence Radio Transceiver (AIR-T) which is a software defined radio. It offers software, such as AirPack, AirStack Sandbox, and Spectrum Sensing that enables RF and wireless systems to receive, detect, and identify signals in the spectral environment. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ghost Robotics

Seed Round in 2018
Ghost Robotics Corporation, founded in 2015 and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing autonomous legged robots designed to operate effectively in unstructured environments. The company focuses on creating highly agile and fast quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs) that can be used in military, homeland security, intelligence, and enterprise applications. Ghost Robotics aims to provide advanced robotic solutions that surpass traditional wheeled and tracked devices, enhancing operational capabilities in various challenging terrains.

Verge Inc.

Seed Round in 2016
Verge Aero, based in Philadelphia, is a company specializing in the development and operation of drone entertainment systems. Founded in 2014, it comprises a team of engineers with expertise in electrical, computer, software, systems, and aerospace disciplines. The company has created advanced drone performance software that enables the control of drone swarms, allowing for seamless integration with existing entertainment setups. This technology facilitates dynamic interactions between drones, audiences, and performers. Verge Aero's near-term applications include recurring drone performances, venue installations, touring productions, and various drone entertainment products, showcasing the innovative potential of unmanned aerial systems in the entertainment industry.

American Aerospace

Seed Round in 2015
American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. specializes in long-endurance unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and flight services tailored for the oil and gas sector. The company offers UAS integration solutions, developing payloads, sensors, and communication systems designed to gather, produce, and deliver data for various applications such as pipeline integrity management, facility inspections, and emergency management. Their extensive portfolio includes survey-grade mapping systems, threat detection tools for pipeline monitoring, high-bandwidth communication relays, and methane detection technologies. Serving a diverse clientele that includes Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and government agencies, American Aerospace emphasizes operational excellence and data distribution services. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company was previously known as American Aerospace Advisors, Inc.

Telefactor Robotics

Seed Round in 2014
Telefactor Robotics LLC specializes in creating advanced vision and dexterity solutions for the explosive ordnance disposal sector, primarily serving first responders and the military. Established in 2013 and located in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company develops a range of products designed to enhance robotic capabilities in hazardous environments. Its offerings include lightweight video encoders, high-performance camera systems, immersive telepresence solutions, and a variety of gripper technologies that enable precise manipulation. Telefactor Robotics aims to empower robotic systems to perform complex tasks traditionally executed by humans, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety in extreme conditions. The company’s innovations are particularly focused on enhancing the functionality of bomb disposal robots and other related robotic platforms, contributing significantly to defense and homeland security applications.

S4 Worldwide

Seed Round in 2012
S4 Worldwide, LLC, based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing public safety security and surveillance products tailored for the private sector. The company offers a range of innovative solutions, including the Audiovox/S4W GPS body camera designed for law enforcement, which captures high-definition audio and video. Other notable products include the Sentry Drone Video Security and Surveillance system for real-time situational awareness, as well as an unauthorized drone detection system that provides alerts and evidence collection. S4 Worldwide also supplies mobile surveillance trailers powered by solar and wind energy, facilitating data collection from remote locations. Their portfolio extends to secure fit restraint mitts, emergency call boxes for remote communications, and mobile gates for vehicle checkpoint management. The company's technologies aim to aid in protecting against theft, vandalism, and intrusions while supporting compliance with safety regulations. S4 Worldwide serves various industries, including law enforcement, military, healthcare, and agriculture, and has been operational since its incorporation in 2010.
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