The Business Center for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise (TBC) and the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) have formed a joint venture to establish the Innovation and Manufacturing Center in the East Falls section of Northwest Philadelphia. The Center will offer entrepreneurs/innovators the ability to prototype their products, develop their business model, and have access to early stage capital and present learning opportunities. The center will enhance the manufacturing ecosystem in Philadelphia by creating an entryway for people of color and woman owned manufacturing firms, fostering innovation through its linkages to existing manufacturers and academic institutions, and providing a source of equity for start-up and second stage businesses.
Offerings
Textiles – Environmentally friendly fabric fiber, hi-tech fiber and active and outdoor wear and recreation products (aerospace – DuPont; durable fabrics, composite coatings, straws). Potential partners include Under Armor, Nike, 3M, Raytheon, (Company from PBAN).
Consumer Products – Environmentally friendly household products, skin products and hair products and car products.
Services
Prototypes
Commercialization
Product Development
Wet Lab
Jewelry Studio
Coding – classes and a computer lab with 15-20 computers
Small Batch Manufacturing (1,500 – 2,000 production)
Advanced Manufacturing – computer assisted design, laser manufacturing, BIM technology (using CAD designs); outsourced manufacturing (sending designs electronically); computer component manufacturing. Fits with small batch manufacturing.
