Lehigh Valley manufacturers and startup businesses are among those that received a share of more than $2 million in investment recently from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. 
“These investments will support 17 companies — 11 early-stage companies and six established manufacturers — fostering innovative product development, workforce expansion, and operational growth across the region,” Ben Franklin said in a news release.
Manufacturing is a leading driver of Lehigh Valley’s $55.7 billion diversified economy. More than 700 manufacturers produce everything from medical devices and tests to semiconductors and technology to food and beverages to Mack Trucks and Crayola crayons.
Entrepreneurs and early-stage companies play a key role in the regional economy, bringing new products and technologies to market, creating jobs, and strengthening communities. The region boasts a strong network of support organizations, which assist with everything from free advice to financing to networking opportunities to incubator space. Several of the emerging companies that received Ben Franklin investment funding are located at the Ben Franklin TechVentures business incubator in Bethlehem.
Increasing the manufacturing sector and supporting entrepreneurs are among the priorities of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) in the organization’s recently adopted strategic plan for 2025-2027.
The 11 manufacturers and startups in the Lehigh Valley that were among the 17 in northeastern Pennsylvania that received investment from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the second quarter of this year are:
NovaData Solutions, Inc., of Bethlehem, an insurtech firm with an AI-based platform that audits and flags anomalies in property restoration invoices for insurers and adjusters.
Oral Biolife Inc., of Bethlehem, a biotech company developing Ambrilux Dental Gel, a piezo‑material‑based treatment shown to regenerate bone lost to periodontal disease.
Orbweaver Sourcing, LCC, of Bethlehem, which offers cloud‑based data automation for electronics manufacturers, streamlining quoting, procurement, and legacy system integration in the supply chain.
Reviews UP, LLC, of Lower Macungie Township, a feedback platform enabling businesses to gather and promote reviews across customers, employees, and vendors for reputation management.
SARAS-3D Inc., of Upper Macungie Township, which develops immersive 3D/VR STEM learning tools (Saras 360) that allow students to explore concepts interactively in a cost‑free virtual environment.
Spacecraft Automation, of Bethlehem, which develops patented automated drive-thru and walk-up kiosks for QSRs, pharmacies, dispensaries, convenience stores, and more. Their products are designed to streamline item pickup and improve throughput, security, and customer satisfaction.
Spoke Acquisition Corporation (Spoke Sciences), of Bethlehem, an ingredient technology firm creating proprietary platforms for better-formulated lipophilic functional ingredients in foods, beverages, and topicals.
With Meraki Co., of Bethlehem, a female-founded, science-backed wellness brand offering vegan, non-GMO women’s probiotics and supplements formulated by a biomedical engineer to support vaginal, urinary, and overall health.
ABEC, Inc., of Hanover Township, Northampton County, a provider of stainless steel bioprocess equipment, single-use systems, and hybrid solutions for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, enabling vaccine, antibody, and gene therapy production. They are backed by more than 50 years of experience and recent innovations like their Advanced Therapy Bioreactor platform.
Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc., of Allentown, which specializes in prefabricated exterior wall panels including rainscreen, EIFS, brick, stone, and metal systems that are engineered via 3D BIM and manufactured in climate-controlled facilities to improve quality, logistics, and waste efficiency.
Polymer Contours, of Allentown, a custom injection molding company specializing in full mold design/build and value-added services, such as insert molding, heat staking, pad printing, and assembly, for industries like medical devices, electronics, marine, and consumer goods.
Several of the awards were financed in part with Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
(Top photo courtesy of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bottom photo courtesy of Polymer Contours.)