The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP/NEP) Board of Directors has approved the investment of $495,000 in support of regional economic development. Eleven companies from BFTP/NEP’s 21-county service area received funding. Investments’ identification as a continuation project indicates that the client achieved pre-determined milestones and is receiving more funding to accomplish additional project work.

BFTP/NEP announces the following local early-stage company investments:

DetectBee, Inc., https://www.detectbee.com/, Bethlehem, Northampton County

Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000 – continuation project

Complete development of and commercialize DetectBee’s MVP Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that allows users to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities in both their own systems and in those of third-party systems that are tied to them via interfaces. By providing a “hacker’s eye view” of networks, DetectBee protects clients and their supply chains.

S. Huntley & Co., https://www.shuntley.com/, Easton, Northampton County

Ben Franklin Investment: $80,000

Secure a license for S. Huntley & Company in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as a non-bank motor vehicle financier. Also, secure dealership partners, begin building the website, and launch the monthly subscription service in support of the financing tools. The firm’s product, Toppcar.com, is an online retail and financing platform that allows the growing modern classic car enthusiast segment of consumers and dealers to buy and finance cars completely online.

Thread Bioscience, https://threadb.com/, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Bethlehem, Northampton County

Ben Franklin investment: $50,000 – continuation project

Commercialize a patented diagnostic test, CultureStat, for urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is faster, more accurate, and at lower cost than current tests. CultureStat can be used at the Point of Care to reduce frequently misdiagnosed UTIs and improperly prescribed antibiotics. With an estimated 150 million UTIs annually, it is the most common infection among women and the second-leading cause of infection overall, accounting for $6 billion in health care expenditures.

Ben Franklin provides 1:1 matching funding for work with a college or university partner on technology-based innovation in established manufacturers.

Bosch Rexroth Corporation, www.boschrexroth-us.com, Bethlehem, Northampton County

Ben Franklin Investment: $25,000

University Partner: Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center

Develop and implement a simulation-based scheduling software for the company’s CNC machine scheduling system to improve throughput and reduce lead time, providing greater capacity. Bosch Rexroth manufactures motion control equipment, including hydraulic and pneumatic components.

Contributed article