HORSHAM, Pa. — Oct. 13, 2014 — EFE Laboratories – Philadelphia’s oldest contract manufacturer and OEM of electromechanical engineering solutions for communications, industrial controls, aerospace, and medical device industries – announced today its strategic alliance with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, an award-winning, non-profit, technology-based economic development program, to enhance the manufacturing industry in the Philadelphia region. This alliance will provide entrepreneurs and startups with access to a Technology Commercialization Network (TCN) of manufacturing facilities with the capabilities and resources to fund the development of prototypes and identify a clean, efficient way to commercialize a product.
Ben Franklin will be funding prototyping and fabrication grants to entrepreneurs and startups in the Greater Philadelphia Area through the TCN and its Ben Franklin FabNet (BFFN) program. Funding, in the form of grants, will be awarded to a BFFN facility identified by a Southeastern Pennsylvania company (such as Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties) who needs the work required to move the product toward commercialization.
“Partnering with Ben Franklin will allow us to help early stage companies receive funding for prototypes of their products both quickly and uniquely,” said Kip Anthony, president of EFE Laboratories. “I am deeply committed to supporting the community and economic growth in the region, and this partnership will not only help improve EFE Labs’ position in the industry, but also advance the manufacturing industry as a whole by allowing us to apply our expertise to these companies and their products.”
Thanks to more than 75 years of combined experience, Ben Franklin and EFE can leverage a wide array of resources through its TCN and BFFN program. The program’s activities will focus on creating an environment where local innovative, technology-driven entrepreneurs and startup companies can flourish by using regional manufacturing providers and experts of advanced instrumentation, helping to further boost economic growth in Philadelphia.
This partnership gives both Ben Franklin and EFE the ability to elevate and advance their prototyping capabilities by providing a comprehensive suite of manufacturing services and leadership.
The BFFN program grant – through Ben Franklin, EFE and participating TCN facilities – will fund grants of up to $5,000, with a 1:1 match requirement from the participating company. Funding will go directly to the facility to support the company’s development efforts. Applicants can either contact Ben Franklin or the prototyping facilities directly to start the application process.
BFFN participating facilities include:
- EFE Laboratories (www.efelabs.com)
- NextFab Studio (www.nextfabstudio.com)
- MTS Ventures (www.mtsventures.com)*
- Creative Mechanisms (www.creativemechanisms.com)
- Inteprod (www.inteprod.com)
- Boston Devices (http://www.bostondevice.com)
*Technically outside the Five-County Territory, but funding is eligible for companies within.
About EFE Laboratories
With over 50 years of industrial and manufacturing experience, EFE is an established, solutions-based contract manufacturer. By collaborating with customers across diverse markets in pursuit of superior product design, development, and manufacturing services, EFE brings extraordinary expertise to its customers. We do this by relying on an industry-leading commitment to quality evidenced by our UL, ISO, IPC, and other certifications. From startups to the Fortune 500, EFE has proven its ability to deliver measurable value to organizations of any size. For more information about the company, please visit their website: http://www.efelabs.com/ needed work
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA
Ben Franklin is the most active early stage capital provider for the region’s technology sectors. Through university, industry, and regional partnerships that accelerate technology commercialization and entrepreneurship, Ben combines the best practices of venture capital with a public-spirited purpose; to lead the region’s technology community to new heights, creating jobs and changing lives for the better. Ben Franklin is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. For more information, please visit www.partnerswithapurpose.org
