The Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum

The Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting entrepreneurialism in Pennsylvania. The Forum fulfills its mission by assisting entrepreneurs in their preparations to seek private equity, helping angels to form and manage angel investment networks, and providing training in various aspects of interest to emerging growth companies.

Services provided to entrepreneurs

• Evaluation of capital structure options
• Evaluation of preparedness for outside financing
• Evaluation of business plans
• Referrals to other sources for assistance
• Coaching for fundraising presentations
• Assistance in preparing for meetings with angel groups and other financing sources

Services provided to angel networks

• Assistance in network formation
• Network management
• Research and dissemination of best practices
• Communications and networking among networks

Training offerings
Among the training topics offered from time to time are the following:

• Fundraising presentation bootcamps
• How to determine a company's valuation
• The ins and outs of term sheets
• How to apply for SBIR funding
• Seed Investing as a Team Sport

The Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum is located on the Penn State Harrisburg campus in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Support for the organization is provided by the Pennsylvania Technology Investment Authority, the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, Penn State Harrisburg and numerous private sponsors.