Innovation Center

The Business Center for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise (TBC) and the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) are forming a joint venture to establish an innovation center in Northwest Philadelphia.  The manufacturing innovation center will offer entrepreneurs/innovators the ability to prototype their products, develop their business model, and have access to early stage capital. 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

Woodshop

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.