Apeliotus Vision Science Wins Ben Franklin Venture Idol
At the 2009 Ben Franklin Venture Idol, John Edwards, CEO of Apeliotus Vision Science, accepted the grand prize of a $5,000 cash investment in his company.
RantNetwork, Inc. and Chaperone Technologies, Inc. also competed and received cash investments. All three companies are Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ clients.
Apeliotus Vision Science has developed a simple diagnostic for the early detection of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of adult blindness in developed countries, affecting more than 30 million people worldwide, including one in six over age 65 and one in three over age 75. There are currently no good means for early detection before significant vision loss has occurred. Apeliotus’ simple, noninvasive test can detect and track AMD from its earliest stages, allowing early intervention.
About Venture Idol
On November 5, 2009 in Scranton, approximately 250 guests attended Ben Franklin Venture Idol, an event similar to “American Idol” but with entrepreneurs substituting for singers. A “speed dating” session, during which companies rapidly presented to investors, started the day, and Jack Tighe of TMG Health, Scranton, presented the lunch keynote. The Venture Idol afternoon program featured three early-stage entrepreneurs seeking funding presenting pitches to a panel of investors, with the audience voting for the winner.
Led by emcee Rob McCord, Pennsylvania state treasurer, the 2009 Venture Idol concluded with a networking reception. The event was hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Pennsylvania Angel Network and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Venture Partnership.
The idea to bring Ben Franklin Venture Idol to Scranton was initiated by Austin Burke, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce/SLIBCO, with the full support of John Sider, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
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