Lehigh Valley companies that support the military, develop food flavorings, and improve health and wellness are among 16 that will share nearly $1 million in funding from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. 
The companies were selected for the latest round of investment by Ben Franklin, in the first quarter of next year. The investment will foster innovative product development, workforce expansion, and operational growth.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is part of a statewide network that provides incubator space, funding, and other support to help businesses grow and succeed, creating jobs and bringing new products and technology to market.
Eight of the 16 companies are from the Lehigh Valley:
Specialized Biotic Research, Inc., Bethlehem, develops symbiotic products that pair bacterial strains with prebiotics to support gut health and other wellness goals.
Spoke Acquisition Corporation (Spoke Sciences, Inc.), Bethlehem, an ingredient technology firm creating proprietary platforms for better-formulated lipophilic ingredients in foods, beverages, and topicals.
UBMe, Inc., Bethlehem, a web and mobile application that provides end-to-end experience management for events including discovery, ticketing, food and merchandise sales, and a social media element to keep people engaged while at the event.
Vytala Inc., Bethlehem, has developed a structured lipid technology designed to improve the absorption of fats and nutrients in people with fat malabsorption.
Orbweaver Sourcing, LLC, Bethlehem, offers cloud-based data automation for electronics manufacturers, streamlining quoting, procurement, and legacy system integration in the supply chain.
Those companies all are located at Ben Franklin TechVentures, a business incubator located on the campus of Lehigh University, where Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is based. Several of those projects were partly financed from Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Ben Franklin is also investing nearly $151,000 in established manufacturers, incorporating student enrichment work with a college or university partner:
D. Gillette Industrial Services, Inc., Forks Township, specializes in the design, fabrication, and lifecycle sustainment of critical assets for the defense and commercial sectors. Their capabilities include 3D manufacturing for prototypes and a proprietary equipment management system that extends the operational life of legacy industrial machinery. Alvernia University will partner with D. Gillette.
Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc., Allentown, 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. Lehigh University will partner with Eastern Exterior Wall Systems.
MillPress Imports LLC, Bethlehem, a food manufacturing and distribution company specializing in the import, processing, custom blending, and bottling of premium extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars. and specialty flavored products. Lehigh University will partner with MillPress.
(Photo of D. Gillette Industrial Services by Donna Fisher Photography. Photo of Ben Franklin TechVentures courtesy of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania.)