Innovation & Job News

Think about your favorite bar or coffee shop. Sure, you enjoy the grub, the décor, even the snarky comments from the hipster behind the counter, but none of this would impress without decent music.

Sevenpop—an Israeli startup with U.S. headquarters in Center City—mines our timeless urge for good tunes, integrating mobile requests into a business' preexisting music player. According to cofounder John Vairo, when patrons influence the sound system, they’re more likely to stay—and spend—giving the business a competitive edge.

Recently, the company closed its first round of financing with a $400,000 investment from JanVest. They’re currently releasing the United States version of Sevenpop across the country.

Cofounders Nuke Goldstein and Eyal Bernstein created the product at a bar in Tel Aviv that later became their alpha test site. When the team asked for a computer to run the system, the bar explained their only apparatus was the music player. "We concluded [Sevenpop] should focus on the music and the product was shaped," says Vairo.

The resulting “Social Jukebox” provides a lean solution for three popular multimedia systems. (The company says they will adapt their software for other systems.) They've landed in bars, cafes and DJ booths, and expect to add grocery chains, gyms and sports arenas to their client base. The company sells added social features, but Vairo says the best way to approach a market segment of this size is to keep the basic software free. “Once [the client] is up and running, the system is theirs for as long as they want it," he says.

Source: John Vairo, Sevenpop
Writer: Dana Henry

Medical technology may have advanced to the 21st century, but the exhaustive documentation required by insurance providers to approve purchase of in-home equipment such as wheelchairs and braces is still stuck in the 1990s, relying largely on paper, ink and faxes.
 
Now Conduit Technology in Girard  has developed software that automates the onerous process. Founder Jim Noland says that while a typical office staffer could complete three orders a day using the old system, the software will boost productivity to 12 orders a day.
 
Conduit plans to launch a beta version of its software in March with a full rollout later in 2013, boosted by a new $150,000 investment from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA.  Earlier this year, BFTP/CNP invested $100,000 in the company to support development of its technology.
 
With a $1.5 billion medical services and equipment market, and individual devices ranging from $3,000 to $40,000 each, the potential is enormous, Noland notes.  The software employs a unique mapping tool that allows clinicians to electronically aggregate, format, fill out and sign potentially dozens of forms required for each purchase.
 
The software is an outgrowth of the billing software that Noland developed for use at his Presque Isle Medical Technologies, a supplier in Erie. 
 
With his extensive contacts in the industry, and the fast-changing landscape for medical insurers, Noland anticipates quick growth. Conduit just made its first fulltime hire and Noland expects to hire three more in the next year, for a fulltime staff of six – all high paying jobs, he adds – within 18 months.
 
Source: Jim Noland, Conduit Technology
Writer: Elise Vider
 
 
 
  

As a longtime engineering consultant to municipalities, Christian Birch was well aware of the challenges that local governments face in complying with complex regulations.
 
Spurred by the intricate data collection and reporting requirements necessary to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's "MS4" stormwater management mandate, Birch established Map Decisions in Bethlehem in May. The goal was to use technology to make compliance cheaper and more efficient. Now, after testing the company's software system in Pennsylvania municipalities, including Bethlehem, Buckingham Township, South Coventry and Lower Saucon, Map Decisions is on schedule for commercial release of its product next month.
 
The web-based information management system developed by Birch and his partner, Mike Hawkins, automates and streamlines the collecting, reporting and mapping of large amounts of data and images gathered by inspectors in the field using everyday smartphones and tablets. "Starting with the EPA's regulatory program, we can save municipalities costs and at the same time support an important water quality program," says Birch.
 
Even in its beta phase, Map Decisions' software is being considered for applications beyond stormwater management compliance. Bethlehem is exploring its use for additional operations such as building and fire hydrant inspections. Several large engineering firms and a large energy audit company have contacted the startup, says Birch, at the same time that Map Decisions is exploring additional new markets such as the insurance industry.
 
"We can help any organization collect data in the field and make them much more efficient in gathering, aggregating and reporting their data," says Birch.
 
"If things continue to go well, we could bring on two to five fulltime employees next year," he adds.
 
Source: Christian Birch, Map Decisions
Writer: Elise Vider
 
 
 

Prior to the first Lehigh Valley Startup Weekend in November, Rita Chuhran and Mike Hanssen, both public school educators, had no more than a great idea for a way for teachers and students to use mobile devices.
 
Fifty-four hours later, the pair emerged as first-place winner with a formal company, a software developer who has joined them as a third partner, dedicated work space at Hive 4 A in Allentown, legal, accounting, marketing and consulting support and the determination "to create a company that makes great educational apps," says Chuhran.
 
Skaffl  (the name comes from "scaffolding," a popular teaching strategy) is currently developing Rung, a mobile app in which teachers and students can exchange materials, assignments, completed homework, assessments and grades.
 
Chuhran says that use of I Pads in exploding in K-12 schools with many districts supplying tablets and others operating on a "BYOD" (bring-your-own-device) model. But, surprisingly, "there really is no easy way" for teachers to make best use of the technology.
 
Rung is now in development with a beta version expected to launch in the spring for testing before the end of the school year. The company plans to launch a commercial version of Rung for the 2013-14 school year.
 
Thanks to extensive distribution of a video via social media – encouraged at Startup Weekend – Skaffl now communicates with thought leaders in technical education worldwide and has had expressions of interest to test its app from educators around the country and even in the U.K. Once the K-12 version is launched, Skaffl hopes to expand its product to higher ed, as it develops new apps.
 
Source: Rita Chuhran and Mike Hanssen, Skaffl
Writer: Elise Vider
 
 
 
 

The shale energy industry, which has created nearly 103,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, is "helping to knock the rust off of part of the 'Rust Belt' industries that have historically been prominent in the state's economy," according to a new study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 
 
The study found that shale will support nearly 221,000 jobs by 2020 and 387,000 by 2035 – 5.6% of the state's labor force. The value-added economic activity is equally impressive: $14.1 billion in 2012, $26.7 billion by 2020 and $49 billion by 2035.
 
But who is getting all these jobs? Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, says that more than 70% go to Pennsylvania residents but concedes, "We don't always have people with the required skills." With improving workforce training, he anticipates that the percentage will rise.
 
Hefty wages are a big incentive. The Chamber reports that gas jobs average $97,000, compared to $58,400, the state average. Barr notes that the industry supports a vast range of direct and indirect jobs, everything from drillers and machinists to engineers, lawyers and hospitality workers. The environmental concerns raised by shale extraction offer growth potential, too, he adds, for "innovative design to make the industry more environmentally friendly."
 
Barr illustrates the economic impact of shale with examples like the old-line Williamsport manufacturer that retooled or the Lancaster engineering firm that bought 75 pickups from a local dealer and expanded its headquarters, creating construction jobs.
 
Natural-gas-powered vehicles have further potential, Barr says. "If the auto industry can grow [its production of LNG and CNG vehicles], it makes the prospects for Pennsylvania as an energy supplier much, much greater."
 
Source: Gene Barr, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce
Writer: Elise Vider

Not long ago, when a Pennsylvania rental agent googled the name of a prospective tenant as part of a standard background check, what should pop up but the Adams County sheriff's portal, revealing that the woman had an outstanding warrant. The agent submitted a tip with her alias, cellphone number and other information from the rental application. Case closed.
 
That portal is the product of CrimeWatch US, a Mechanicsburg startup that has developed a software platform for law enforcement agencies that incorporates websites, social media and email alerts.
 
CrimeWatch "provides the means for local law enforcement agencies to disseminate information to the public quickly and efficiently," says the company's Andrew Santiago. "And it enables law enforcers to gain intelligence back from the community."
 
CrimeWatch began in 2009 as a print publication; in 2011 it moved into digital delivery. Besides Adams County, another early client is Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.
 
The software platform also can establish a standardized record management system that gives law enforcers a more efficient way to share information internally or with other agencies.
 
"We're working in an environment where there hasn’t been a lot of technological innovation in the last five or 10 years," says Santiago.
 
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA invested in CrimeWatch this fall and the company continues to raise seed capital, Santiago says. Its plans for 2013 include the launch of a new software version with increased features and functionality and a new portal for Dauphin County, both in February. The company currently has six employees and hopes to add six to 10 in the New Year.
 
Source: Andrew Santiago, CrimeWatch PA
Writer: Elise Vider
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA  is playing Santa to four tech-based companies, with $473,569 in new investments. And BFTP/CNP will give startups year-round stocking stuffers with its approval of a new Pre-Seed Fund that will be used to pay for outside due diligence, market acceptance/research and product testing for prospective applicants and their projects.
 
The four companies are:
 
Conduit Technology in Girard has developed patent-pending software that effectively automates the current paper-based process used to collect documentation submitted to insurance carriers for medical equipment used in the home.  The software, which is a comprehensive, clinical documentation tool, collects all needed documents, reduces operating costs, manages critical workflow and enables job-costing to determine profitability prior to accepting an order. 
 
Anderal Technologies  in Hermitage received funding to further develop and commercialize a revolutionary patented technology used in the forming and shaping of metals.  Electrically Assisted Manufacturing was invented and patented by Penn State University’s Dr. John Roth.  The company is partnering with Penn State in this technology-transfer initiative. 
 
Located in State College, Chromatan is a biotechnology company established in 2008 that is commercializing a new and innovative technology called Countercurrent Tangential Chromatography or CTC.  The company’s innovation will transform the current protein purification process, while providing significant cost savings, disposability and scalability. 
 
Surge Business Development in State College, addresses the concerns of college town retailers, first-time college parents and university student affairs. Its social commerce site (Rattle the Box) links consumers and retailers in socially relevant ways. It provides value to their university partners, students and parents of students, and then leverages those relationships to facilitate additional financial transactions. Rattle the Box provides student affairs professionals with a focused means to expose new students to experiential opportunities, in an effort to engage students in non-drinking activities.

For 30 years, Ben Franklin has been making investments in central and northern Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurs, tech-based start-ups and small manufacturers with the goal of assisting them in developing new technologies, hiring additional employees and increasing sales.
 
Source: BFTP/CNP
Writer: Elise Vider

If recent history has demonstrated anything, it is that companies need to be better prepared for calamity. Notes Rick Bailey, founder of SuccessTSM in East Stroudsburg, "most companies become very interested in our product once they've had a disaster."
 
Small wonder, then, that in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, several New York firms have become strong prospects for SuccessTSM's disaster management software.
 
SuccessTSM sells and services its proprietary Maggie Bare Server Restore (MBSR), which Bailey says "can restore back up infrastructure within minutes" after a man-made or natural disaster, power loss or other catastrophe.   The current industry standard is at least four hours.
 
The software is designed to restore data and get company computers back up and running by restoring so-called "B" failover sites that take over when "A" production sites' primary servers are down. Bailey established the company in 2010 after retiring from IBM and his niche market is companies that use Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM), a widely used IBM product.
 
This fall, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA loaned SuccessTSM $85,000 to implement a repeatable sales process for its MBSR software. The company also has several new products in development. One, to be launched in late 2013 or early 2014, will dramatically reduce recovery time for "A" servers; another launch anticipated for 2015 will be a version that opens up overseas markets, Bailey says.
 
The company currently employs five; by the end of 2013, Bailey hopes to be up to 15 or 20.
 
 
Source: Rick Bailey, SuccessTSM
Writer: Elise Vider
 

Northeastern Pennsylvania' biosciences industry – direct patient care, medical equipment, research and testing, pharmaceutical and more – got a massive shot-in-the-arm this month with $492,000 in grants intended to grow the sector and its economic impact.
 
"We have a unique opportunity here in northeastern Pennsylvania to capitalize on our many intellectual resources and our geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas in developing an effective and productive bioscience region," said John Wiercinski, an executive with Geisinger Health System, in a statement. "The success of this initiative can pay dividends for decades to come."
 
The funds -- $305,000 from a state "Discovered in PA, Developed in PA" grant and $187,000 from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority  – will be used by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Regional Bioscience Initiative (NEPA RBI) to support a web-enabled database; expand bioscience career awareness, education and training; enhance the region's research capacity and retain and attract bioscience workers, businesses and entrepreneurs.
 
NEPA RBI was established in 2010 to grow the biosciences in a region comprised of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.  Its focus is on linking college and university research and development programs, supporting biosciences career development, workforce attraction and retention, entrepreneurial support systems, real estate availability and business outreach.
 
Source: The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Writer: Elise Vider

Establishing a quality reputation in the age of social media is a challenge. It takes just one irate customer to drag down a Yelp profile and leave a permanent stain on a virtual record.  

For businesses trapped in twitter-roulette, Yorn (Your Opinion Right Now) circumvents the online commotion with real time customer feedback. The two-year-old company is doubling business every quarter, recently reaching 2,000 accounts including Deutsche Bank, Intuit, UPS, Cisco and Stanley Black and Decker. The good news is they’ve also moved to Philly.

Unofficially, the company left Conshohocken for 24th and Chestnut Streets in October, but they plan to open the doors of the new office before the end of 2012. Yorn recently added seven employees (rounding out a core team of twelve) and seeks additional leadership in software development, marketing and product management.
 
Rick Rasansky, founder and CEO, refers to the company's product as "the anti-social network to a certain degree," but it could also be considered an antidote: When experiencing a problem, today’s constomer consults their computer in lieu of confronting the manager. Yorn mends the broken channel by setting businesses up with a unique URL or QR-code. Customers access the displayed code and receive a temporary app to send comments and ratings directly to the owner.
 
Rasansky says he scouted a location near two prime clients: Drexel and Penn. Of course, the spot also provides access to another resource—"The base of talent that we’re going after is absolutely centered in here in Center City," he says. "Not to put down Conshohocken, but the action is here in Philly."

Source: Rick Rasansky, Yorn
Writer: Dana Henry

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Looking for a job for the New Year? Each week Pop City reports on the latest hiring news in the region.
 
Monroeville-based companies Compunetix, Compunetics and Sonexis Technology are hiring more than 20 people in a range of positions.
 
The trio of firms are all in manufacturing. Compunetics makes precision printed circuit boards; Compunetix is a purveyor of digital electronics for the communication industry and Sonexis Technology handles their flagship auto conferencing bridge product ConferenceManager. (All but one job is on the Compunetix site.)
 
Positions include account manager, application developer, software engineers, technical writer and software developers. Company internships are also available.
 
Pittsburgh-based Bayer is hiring 16 including senior business analysts, manufacturing system specialists, product safety reps and research development specialists.
 
Humanity TV, a Web series that takes armchair travelers to destinations through the eyes of a native, is looking for experienced Web developers and filmmakers in Pittsburgh. One of the film’s creators is a CMU graduate. Two full-time videographers will be hired in the near future as well.
 
Fast-growing Pittsburgh IT consulting company Newton Consulting is hiring seven people and has job postings for several of its clients. Newton, which offers a unique pay-for-performance pay model, recently expanded from its carriage house office to a larger space in downtown Claysville.
 
Jobs posted include Human Resources and IT Consulting, although more may be posted soon.

Southside-based LunaMetrics is hiring a Director of Internet Consulting, a Search Analyst and an Internet Sales Director.
 
The Children’s Institute in Shadyside is hiring a Marketing and Communications Director.
 
Writer: Deb Smit

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