Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization established in 1982 that promotes the development and adoption of new technologies in the region. Over the past 30 years, it has emerged as a prominent provider of seed stage capital, investing more than $170 million in over 1,750 technology companies, many of which have achieved significant industry success. In addition to financial support, Ben Franklin fosters university and industry collaborations to expedite the commercialization of scientific innovations. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating jobs, and transforming lives through its initiatives.
Elemental Excelerator helps startups change the world, one community at a time. Each year, it finds 15-20 companies that best fit its mission and funds each company up to $1 million to improve systems that impact people's lives: energy, mobility, water, agriculture, and beyond. To date, it has awarded over $30 million to 82 companies.
IP Group, established in 2001 and based in London, focuses on creating value through the commercialization of intellectual property from research-intensive institutions. The firm excels in identifying suitable intellectual property for commercialization and is adept at developing businesses or forming strategic partnerships to maximize value. With a strong foundation of industry and financial expertise, IP Group has built a solid reputation for delivering consistent results for its companies, partners, and shareholders. By leveraging its extensive knowledge of the commercialization process, IP Group effectively bridges the gap between innovative research and market application, fostering growth and sustainability in its business endeavors.
Techstars is a global startup accelerator founded in 2006, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. It provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs through various programs, including mentorship-driven accelerators, startup programs, and corporate innovation partnerships. Techstars connects founders with a vast network of mentors, investors, and industry experts to foster company growth. The organization operates multiple accelerator programs worldwide, focusing on diverse sectors such as mobility, retail, and social impact. It also manages a venture capital fund that invests in innovative technology companies at early stages. With over 1,000 companies in its accelerator portfolio, Techstars has developed a reputation for nurturing successful startups across various markets, helping them scale and achieve significant valuations.
SOSV is a venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey, focused on seed-to-growth stage investments in sectors such as biotechnology, hardware, robotics, and cross-border software, particularly in Asia. Established in 1995, SOSV operates several global accelerator programs, including HAX for hardware, IndieBio and RebelBio for life sciences, Chinaccelerator and MOX for cross-border internet, Food-X for disruptive food technologies, and dlab for blockchain innovations. The firm invests in approximately 150 companies annually and emphasizes a strategy that combines early-stage funding with extensive support, facilitating product development, customer acquisition, and scaling. SOSV's commitment to nurturing revolutionary deep technologies and its proven track record position it among the top 10% of venture capital funds worldwide.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy development and implementation—while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth in Massachusetts. MassCEC is the first state agency in the nation dedicated solely to facilitating the development of the clean energy industry. We are led by people who bring knowledge, experience and an entrepreneurial attitude to help clean energy companies take full advantage of all the state’s unique assets, to help accelerate the development of renewable energy generation projects, and to help develop a workforce that is ready to roll up its sleeves to ensure Massachusetts’ place as a national and global clean energy hub.
Enhanced Capital, founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, is a national investment firm that specializes in equity and debt investments in small and mid-sized companies across the United States. With over $400 million in assets under management, Enhanced Capital focuses on providing various investment options designed to foster business growth and expansion. The firm adopts a flexible and practical investment approach, aimed at maximizing the growth potential of companies positioned for rapid development. As a subsidiary of P10 Holdings, Enhanced Capital remains committed to supporting the success of its portfolio companies through strategic financial partnerships.
Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1992, specializing in growth equity, lending, and mezzanine debt investments in companies at various stages of development, excluding seed stage. The firm focuses on small businesses and invests in low-income communities, both urban and rural, to support state and local economic development efforts. Advantage Capital seeks to invest in companies that develop or apply proprietary technologies primarily in industries such as communication, information technology, business services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, and energy. Additionally, the firm provides debt and equity capital to real estate development firms and projects. It primarily invests in underserved states and communities in the United States, with an initial investment range between $0.5 million and $10 million. Advantage Capital partners with other investment firms and government agencies to support bank lending and economic initiatives, aiming to bring businesses, technologies, and jobs to communities in need.
5Y Capital, previously known as Morningside Venture Capital, is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Shanghai, China, with additional offices in Beijing and Hong Kong. Founded in 1992, it specializes in early-stage investments across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, fintech, consumer services, media, and education. The firm manages approximately USD 3 billion in funds, leveraging investments from prominent sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other institutional investors. With an initial investment threshold of over USD 500,000 per portfolio company, 5Y Capital focuses primarily on opportunities in China and other emerging markets in Asia and the Pacific. It is a subsidiary of the Morningside Group, which has a long-standing commitment to socially responsible investing and philanthropic initiatives, particularly in education and scientific research.
Chevron Corporation is a prominent integrated energy company engaged in various sectors of the oil and gas industry. With a global presence, it operates through subsidiaries such as Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex. The company's operations encompass exploration, production, refining, and distribution of crude oil and natural gas, as well as the marketing of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. Chevron also invests in renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency technologies. The corporation is structured into two primary segments: Upstream, which focuses on exploration and production, and Downstream, which handles refining and marketing. Chevron employs approximately 58,000 people worldwide and is recognized as the second largest integrated energy company in the United States. Founded in 1879 and headquartered in San Ramon, California, Chevron is committed to innovation in energy technology and sustainability, actively exploring new energy resources and enhancing operational efficiencies.