From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market with Philip Crowley, Episode 10
In this episode of From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market, Philip Crowley speaks with Wayne Barz, Chief Investment Officer at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Wayne oversees investments and supports startups, helping them grow within Pennsylvania’s business ecosystem.
- Watch the episode on YouTube.
- Listen to the episode on Spotify. Stay tuned for the link
- Listen to the episode on Apple. Stay tuned for the link
- Listen to the episode on iHeart Radio. Stay tuned for the link
- Read the whole transcript.
Tune in to the episode to hear about:
- Accidental Start in Economic Development: Wayne Barz talks about how his career in economic development began by chance when he helped convert an old industrial building into a business incubator.
- Investment Process at Ben Franklin: Wayne Barz goes over the rigorous vetting process at Ben Franklin, where only 25 to 30 out of 200 startups reviewed annually receive investment.
- Challenges Startups Face: Wayne Barz emphasizes the importance of founders having evidence of customer demand and realistic growth plans to overcome common challenges in sales, marketing, and financial projections.
- Ongoing Support Beyond Funding: Wayne Barz talks about how Ben Franklin provides continuous support through mentorship, client introductions, and strategy refinement, beyond just offering funding.
- Impact on Manufacturing: Wayne Barz highlights the organization’s role in connecting Pennsylvania manufacturers with experts to enhance efficiency, citing Noble Biomaterials as a success story.
Learn more about Wayne Barz:
- Connect with Wayne Barz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynebarz
- Follow Ben Franklin Technology Partners on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bentechnepa
- Visit Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ website: https://nep.benfranklin.org
