BFTP CNP TechCelerator

BFTP CNP TechCelerator is Ben Franklin CNP's free eight-week accelerator in Central and Northern Pennsylvania. The Erie County cohort documented for 2026 ran from April 7 to June 2 and ended with a live virtual pitch finale on June 9. The program awards up to $15,000 to roughly six to eight finalists, and it takes no equity or repayment. Sessions cover sales, marketing, finance, financial modeling, and pitch coaching, with mentorship delivered through Zoom, Canvas LMS, and weekly expert sessions. Eligible participants include local entrepreneurs, graduate students, professors, and university researchers in Erie County, with service, retail, small manufacturing, and technology among the accepted sectors. The best fit is a founder who wants a short, structured pitch process and can turn coaching into a cleaner customer or investor story. Because TechCelerator runs across multiple counties and prize structures can vary by cohort, the Erie page should be read as one county's current template rather than the whole network.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.