A series that brings in local entrepreneurs, council leaders, young professionals, and students who are leaving their mark on Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners NEP w/ Ken Okrepkie
On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Ken Okrepkie, a Regional Manager of Ben Franklin Technology Partners Northeast Pennsylvania. We explore Ben Franklin Technology Partners' role in entrepreneurial, startup, and manufacturing investing in the region.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners has 4 locations across the state, Pittsburgh, Philly, Erie to Harrisburg, and here in the Northeast. They also support seven business incubators, making up a larger 15-incubator network across Northeast PA.
Ken discusses how the person coming in for investment and their commitment to their work are just as important as the IP or ideas themselves. They're looking to invest in companies that can create jobs and provide a return on investment to the community and the Commonwealth. Ken also reminds us, in a conversation about the American Paper Bag Company, that there are 96 million households within a day's truck drive of our region. Meaning if you're looking to reach people fast, Northeast Pennsylvania needs to be on your radar.
Ken Okrepkie, a graduate of the University of Scranton, oversees investments in a portfolio of 40+ companies. Each year, this group of companies generates $500 million in revenue, creating family-sustaining jobs in the region. For more than 17 years at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Ken has supported early-stage technology companies and connected manufacturing firms to college and university resources supporting process improvement and product development projects.
Tune in to learn more about Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the business resources available across the region. And share this with an entrepreneur in your circle!
You can find Ken and Ben Franklin Technology Partners online at www.nep.benfranklin.org or on LinkedIn at @bentechnepa.
14 Apr 2026
tecBRIDGE w/Don Webster
On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Don Webster, Executive Director of tecBRIDGE, to talk about entrepreneurship and the powerful questions of“Why not us? Why not here? Why not now?”
tecBRIDGE, best known for its long-running business plan competitions, also organizes innovation conferences, summer internships, and other initiatives to support high school students and early-stage entrepreneurs. The organization also administers the Keystone Innovation Zone Program, which has brought over $30 million to Northeast Pennsylvania for early-stage companies since 2004.
A former Wall Street executive and serial entrepreneur, Don Webster has a passion for helping others, and that passion is a key part of what fuels tecBRIDGE’s success. Don acknowledges that tecBRIDGE can’t serve every business, but if you want to go, they can help connect you. Their target customer is those who aspire.
With so many resources, connectors, and opportunities in NEPA, when tecBRIDGE asks “Why not us? Why not here? Why not now?”, they mean it.
Tune in to learn more, and share this episode with the aspirational people in our community.
You can find Don and tecBRIDGE online at https://www.tecbridgepa.org/ or on LinkedIn at @TECBRIDGEPA.
31 Mar 2026
Penn State Launchbox w/ Kristin McCollum and Bill Andahazy
Join us on this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast as host Dan Kimbrough sit with Kristin McCollum and Bill Andahazy of the Penn State Launchbox, part of the Invent Penn State program. While the Launchbox program can be found on many campuses, Bill and Kristin are primarily focused on the Hazleton Launchbox, where their focus is on lean start ups and customer discovery. They believe one of the first step to any venture is to get outside and talk to people. That's how you find where pain points are.
We discuss the importance of mentoring, networking and collaboration within your local economic development ecosystem. Both Kristin and Bill highlight the local and regional partnerships here in Northeast Pennsylvania and how it helps in all aspects of the entrepreneurial process.
Tune in to learn how your local Lauchbox is just down the street and ready to help!
To find out more about the Hazleton Launchbox, find that them online - https://hazleton.launchbox.psu.edu/
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