Part of Pennsylvania’s economic development arm, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, wants to make it easier for early stage companies to get product prototypes made by working with manufacturers in the region. FabNet is intended to hook up startups with specialized manufacturers, according to an article in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Among the pool of six manufacturers FabNet has collected are NextFab, which do 3D printing and offer consulting services, among other things, and mechanical injection molded product producer Creative Mechanisms. At least one caters exclusively to medical technology and life science companies — Inteprod. Boston Device looks after a broader customer base but it includes medical device companies. It plans to add more manufacturers soon.
Ben Franklin is funding prototyping and fabrication grants for the entrepreneurs in Southeast Pennsylvania who need it, according to the article. It is awarding grants of up to $5,000, but they have to be matched by the startup. The manufacturer working with the startup receives the funding. Entrepreneurs interested in applying for a grant need to contact either Ben Franklin SEP or the FabNet manufacturer to get involved.
The FabNet initiative to encourage more collaboration in the state is being promoted at Pennsylvania Bio’s annual conference Life Sciences Future this week.
