The Erie region is home to businesses of all sizes, and small companies often need guidance and funding to grow. That’s where Ben Franklin Technology Partners steps in. Brian Slawin, Regional Director, explains their mission: “We mentor, support, and ultimately invest in startup companies innovating in tech or small manufacturing.”

Ben Franklin helps businesses at every stage, from a simple idea to companies seeking growth capital. One success story is Otto QA, an AI-powered contact center company founded by Tom Laird. Otto QA uses AI to enhance quality assurance by scoring 100% of calls, providing feedback that humans can’t match.

Laird shared, “We received $135,000 from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, which we’ve used for programming and marketing.” This funding has helped Otto QA save clients significant money by eliminating after-call surveys and improving service efficiency.

Slawin encourages local entrepreneurs: “There are a lot of things that we’re looking for. Maybe you’re it. So just reach out.”

To find out more, watch this week's Giving You the Business Report above, to view Ben Franklin's services, visit here.