A national top-10 venture capital firm driving technology innovation and growth in Pennsylvania

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) is a technology-based economic development organization that creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by linking companies with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. BFTP/NEP’s strategy encompasses three key areas:

1. developing early-stage technology-oriented companies,

2. helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices to achieve industry leadership, and

3. promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies.

An initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, BFTP/NEP is part of a four-member statewide Ben Franklin network that has returned $3.60 to the state treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program. Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) have helped client companies create and retain thousands of good jobs, launch hundreds of new companies, and invent products and processes that improve the human condition. In light of its success, BFTP has earned awards for excellence in technology-based economic development from the International Economic Development Council and the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration, and recognition as one of the top 10 seed venture capital firms in the nation as ranked by Entrepreneur magazine.

Ron Ticho spoke with citybizlist publisher Edwin Warfield for this interview.

EDWIN WARFIELD: Could you describe your company? What does OraSure Technologies provide?

RON TICHO: At OraSure Technologies, we develop easy to-use and highly accurate rapid point of care tests for various infectious diseases that impact individuals throughout the world. These diseases include HIV, hepatitis C, and now even Ebola.

Q. What is unique about your company’s products?

A. Our portfolio products are sold to over 75 countries globally and worldwide. I can’t say that there was a case back in 1987, when we were founded. We’ve made tremendous strides since then, and we’ve been able to grow to more than 330 employees. While we started slow, we’ve obviously picked up steam and there’s been a large demand. With that large demand has been a demand on having a very highly qualified, highly skilled workforce. We’ve been very pleased to be able to pull from the resources here in the Lehigh Valley the types of individuals that we need to develop our products and to make those products over an extended period of time. Those have been sustainable and highly qualified and highly skilled positions.

Q. Describe your work with Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

A. Ben Franklin was so invaluable in terms of their support, not just financially, but through other resources: legal, accounting, consulting services, as we began our business early on.

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 120 attorneys offering a comprehensive range of services in virtually every legal category, the firm is well positioned to meet the needs of dynamic businesses and the people who own and operate them. Our eight offices serve individual and corporate clients in the Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Northern Virginia markets, as well as the Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City metropolitan areas. At Offit Kurman, we are our clients’ most trusted legal advisors, professionals who help maximize and protect business value and personal wealth. In every interaction, we consistently maintain our clients’ confidence by remaining focused on furthering their objectives and achieving their goals in an efficient manner. Trust, knowledge, confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.

You can connect with Offit Kurman via our Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages. You can also sign up to receive Law Matters, Offit Kurman’s monthly newsletter covering a diverse selection of legal and corporate thought leadership content.

MARYLAND | PENNSYLVANIA | VIRGINIA | NEW JERSEY | NEW YORK | DELAWARE | WASHINGTON, DC

Edwin Warfield, CEO of citybizlist, conducts the CEO Interviews.

If you're interested in reaching CEOs, please contact edwin.warfield@citybuzz.co

Connect on LinkedIn