Governor Corbett Awards Grant to Help Launch an Entrepreneurial Support Network in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Press Release

Continuing to advance his JOBS1st PA initiative, Governor Tom Corbett today announced the award of a Discovered in PA -- Developed in PA grant to help Great Valley Technology Institute (TecBridge) pull together economic development, educational, and business resources to strengthen the entrepreneurial network in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"My administration is pleased to support this collaborative effort that TecBridge is spearheading to strengthen entrepreneurship in the region," Gov. Corbett said. "Their efforts will pool regional resources to ensure Northeastern Pennsylvania is at the forefront of technology and innovation, and talent development."

Great Valley Technology Institute, doing business as TecBridge, will receive a $292,500 grant from the Discovered in PA -- Developed in PA (D2PA) program to support the facilitation of programs that connect the region's entrepreneurs with college students and alumni networks for seasoned talent, networking opportunities and promotion of the region's technology companies.

TecBridge will bring together 14 higher education institutions, seven economic development organizations and 83 technology companies to align efforts that collaboratively strive to create and embrace entrepreneurial opportunities with the purpose of growing technology wealth within Northeastern Pennsylvania.

"TecBridge understands the importance of collaboration on a regional level," said Tiffany Cross Luciani, Managing Director. "Being awarded a D2PA Grant by Gov. Corbett allows us to continue our initiatives which promote tech companies, its infrastructure and fostering talent connections. We appreciate the endorsement of Gov. Corbett as TecBridge continues to foster our entrepreneurial eco-system within the NEPA region."

The grant will facilitate workshops, seminars, intern and externships, and start-up support that will be available to entrepreneurs, Keystone Innovation Zone companies, private industry and secondary school and post-secondary school students.

"Entrepreneurs have great ideas but they don't always have the resources to bring that inspiration to life," State Senator John Blake (D-22) said. "Investing today in TecBridge means more entrepreneurs in Northeast Pennsylvania will have the means to develop their ideas and transfer them into the marketplace and our local schools will have new opportunities for the transfer of knowledge into the workplace."

Administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), D2PA was established by Gov. Corbett in 2011 to build capacity to support Pennsylvania businesses and to spur creativity and innovation in the provision of economic development services. Last fiscal year, the D2PA program supported initiatives tied to growing the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, business incubators, and education, workforce and economic opportunity collaborations.

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