Altitude Marketing, an integrated marketing agency serving technology-focused companies, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Ben Franklin Venture Idol, presented by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP|NEP) on November 3, 2016.
This year marks the third consecutive year that Altitude is sponsoring the event, which will be held from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM the Innovation Institute at Ben Franklin TechVentures® on Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus in Bethlehem.
Now in its 13th year, Venture Idol is described as a cross between Shark Tank® and American Idol®.
Earlier in the day, a panel of judges will select three finalists from a pool of eight technology entrepreneur candidates. The judges will be looking for early-stage technology companies that demonstrate an aptitude for facilitating future growth through the development of a unique product or service, and can demonstrate how their company will contribute to the expansion of the northeastern Pennsylvania economy.
The three finalists will pitch their business concepts to investors and attendees in the evening competition starting at 7:00 PM. After short critiques from a panel of investors, each audience member will allocate $100 of “Ben Bucks” in whole or part among his or her favorite contestants. Ben Franklin will award $15,000 in real dollars to the companies based on the audience vote. The competitor to get the most audience “Ben Bucks” wins Venture Idol.
“Venture Idol is one of my favorite business events of the year, every year,” said Andrew Stanten, president, Altitude Marketing. “The networking, venue and keynote speaker are always top notch. But the stars of the show – the smart and determined entrepreneurs pitching VCs – and the audience – for investment capital – are both entertaining and educational. Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been an unwavering partner of ours since we opened our doors in 2004, and sponsoring Venture Idol is just one way we show our appreciation for all they do for the entrepreneurial community.”
Following the competition and voting, guests are invited to network and enjoy dessert as the winner of Venture Idol is announced. More than 250 guests are expected to attend this year’s Ben Franklin Venture Idol.
About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP|NEP)
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by linking early-stage technology-based firms and established manufacturers with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. It is part of an award-winning, four-center economic development initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners has returned $3.60 to the Pennsylvania treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program. Learn more at http://nep.benfranklin.org/.
About Altitude Marketing
Altitude Marketing, a full-service, integrated marketing firm, serves the unique needs of technology-oriented B2B companies. Altitude is headquartered in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, near Philadelphia, Princeton and New York, and within driving distance of Boston and Washington, D.C.
Learn more at https://altitudemarketing.com or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Google+.
