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GPF, Science Center Team Up to Help Entrepreneurs

August 23, 2002
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Greater Philadelphia First (GPF) and the Science Center, a consortium of 34 regional academic and scientific institutions, have established a major new joint initiative designed to make it easier for science and technology entrepreneurs to start, grow and expand their businesses. Modeled on UCSD CONNECT in San Diego, CONNECT Greater Philadelphia will assist entrepreneurs by linking them with needed business, academic and other resources.

GPF, the region's business and civic leadership organization, is an association of chief executives of Philadelphia-area companies and nonprofit organizations. The new initiative will be housed within the Science Center.

"We see this as key to growing the Greater Philadelphia region's knowledge-based economy," Sam Katz, CEO of GPF, said in a press statement. "Finding ways to leverage science and technology discoveries as engines of regional economic growth is one of GPF's highest priorities."

Science Center President Jill Felix said CONNECT was a natural extension of the Science Center's mission and will serve as an invaluable one-stop shop for science and technology entrepreneurs and start-up companies. She added that the Greater Philadelphia region has a wealth of university and private laboratories where researchers may develop new and innovative technologies.

The idea for CONNECT began with GPF and its mission to transform the region into one of the nation's leading centers of knowledge. GPF's "Six for Success" agenda, launched in February 2002, is a series of initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.

Pennsylvania