Venture Idol brings together 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and investors from Northeast PA for an evening of networking, client pitches, and awards. Four Ben Franklin Northeast portfolio companies will compete for up to $17,500 in prize money - $15,000 through audience voting and a $2,500 judge’s choice award. The event serves as a platform to showcase and celebrate innovation, offering inspiration and support to both emerging and established entrepreneurs.

Companies pitching: CatapalloVR, Ilico Genetics, Showcase, Unity Lab

Tickets sold out? Get added to the waitlist! Please contact Evelyn Leon at eleon@nep.benfranklin.org.

Venture Idol is presented by Activate Venture Partners, ARS Investment Partners, Service Electric Business, and PenTeleData.

Cocktail Sponsors: Fulton Bank, Penn Strategies, M&T Bank, Marsh McLennan

Silver Sponsors: Agility Systems Group, Enterprise Systems Partners Inc., Graham Partners, Craft, Tech Council Ventures, Prelude Solutions, Rittenhouse Ventures, MarketGenesis, Insperity, Involve Technology, TWG Security, BMI Mergers & Acquisitions, Social T Marketing & PR, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation

Bronze Sponsors: Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute, American Paper Bag, ET&T, First Keystone Community Bank, firstPRO, Fox Rothschild LLP, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, CAN DO Greater Hazleton, Johnson Controls, Lackawanna College, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Pleasant Mount Welding, Inc., Ridge Policy Group, Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Signallamp Health, Wilkes University, PowerRail

Local Vendors:

• Catering by Zekraft
• Grazing Table by The Aging Moon
• Mobile Bar Services by Sol & Spirits Mobile Bar Co. 
• Wine by Binah Winery and Franklin Hill Vineyards
• Printing by Working Dog Press and Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations
• Photography by Marco Calderon Photography 
• Photobooth by The Honeybooth Lehigh Valley
• Videography by Structure Advertising & Creative Agency
• Graphic Design by Caitlin Schultheis and Sarott Design