Ben Franklin Venture Idol to Take Place November 20

Ben Franklin Venture Idol is like a cross between Shark Tank® and American Idol®, but with entrepreneurs and investors instead of vocalists and celebrities. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania will host its annual Ben Franklin Venture Idol on Thursday evening, November 20.

After earning their way through a round of judging in the afternoon prior to the evening event, three start-up technology entrepreneurs seeking funding will be selected. Following short critiques from a panel of investors, the audience members will “fund” the companies. With $100 of “Ben Bucks,” each guest will distribute his or her “investment dollars” in whole or part among the three finalists. Ben Franklin will award $15,000 in real dollars to the companies based on the audience vote. In addition to a cash investment, the winning company will receive a start-up package from Award Sponsor Altitude Marketing, which includes a revamped website, and a branding and messaging upgrade.

The program will run from 7:00 to 8:30 pm with networking opportunities before, starting at 5:30 and concluding at 9:30 pm.

Ben Franklin TechVentures, 4th Floor Innovation Institute, 116 Research Drive, Bethlehem

Directions:

http://nep.benfranklin.org/about/contact/directions-ben-franklin-techventures-and-headquarters/

Keynote Speaker:

Stephen Tang, Ph.D., MBA, President and CEO of the University City Science Center, Philadelphia

Investor Panelists:

Kris Jones, Managing Partner, KBJ Capital

Stephanie Olexa, Founder, Lead to the Future

Doug Petillo, General Partner, Leading Edge Ventures

Michele Zujkowski, Venture Consultant

Approximately 225 guests attended last year’s sold-out Ben Franklin Venture Idol, which includes pre- and post-event executive networking receptions. Contestants were selected competitively. The 2014 Ben Franklin Venture Idol competitors are:EthosGen LLC, Wilkes-Barre; JUJAMA, Inc., Scranton; Map Decisions, LLC, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem; Medtrics Lab, Lewisburg; MyNetwork, LLC, Bethlehem; Orbweaver Sourcing, LLC, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem; Skaffl, LLC,Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem; and TSG Software, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem.

The ticket price is $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Media attend gratis. Please contact Laura Eppler, 610-758-5237 or leppler@nep.benfranklin.org, for media passes. Other guests can register at http://ennect.com/e2333.