From left: (top) Jordan Turner; John Stettler, Mississippi State; Nick King, Adonis Fleming, Massachusetts; Max Horn, MBA. Logan Minford (bottom) Michelle Conway, MBA. Michael Peffer. Dr. Rodney S. Ridley, Sr., RTTP. Dr. Caitlin Long.MSPAS, Pennsylvania; Jack Short
Ridley receives Frederick J. Beste III Award at 2024 Venture Idol
Alvernia Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation Dr. Rodney S. Ridley Sr., RTTP receive Frederick J. Beste III Partnership Award Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP/NEP) Venture Idol 2024 Innovation Award Winner in Northeast Pennsylvania. Ridley received this award in recognition of her efforts to strengthen the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem through her university. Opake Institute of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.
“We are honored to be recognized by BFTP as one of its long-term partners and to receive the Frederick J. Best Partnership Award,” said Ridley. “BFTP/NEP is an important partner and plays a key role in inspiring our operating model. We see ourselves as similar to the minor leagues of BFTP/NEP, and they We believe that through our partnership, we can help create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in greater Berks County inspired by Bethlehem's internationally award-winning business incubator. Masu.”
according to release The Frederick J. Best Partnership Award from BFTP/NEP is presented annually to an individual or organization whose strong vision, dedication, and commitment have contributed to the development of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem, consistent with Ben Franklin Technology Partners' mission. Recipients are portfolio companies, members of incubator networks, or other economic development partners. Alvernia and his BFTP/NEP partnership Announced in 2020. O'Pake Insitute has worked with the organization to support innovative projects developed by local entrepreneurs and industry partners through the SPARK Business Incubator.
“As the recipient of the Frederick J. Beste Partnership Award, Rodney Ridley’s strong vision, dedication and commitment to Eastern Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem aligns with BFTP/NEP’s mission.” -Reading/Berks BFTP/Regional Manager said. Kimberly Varuntas, NEP “Rodney is a visionary leader who brings together industry, community, and higher education for the greater good, and continues to advance BFTP/NEP and find ways to collaborate and collaborate. He promotes economic development and entrepreneurship and is respected throughout Pennsylvania. When Rodney says something will happen. , you can be sure it will happen.”
O'Pake Institute has served over 300 small businesses in and around Berks County since the inception of the SPARK Business Incubator in 2020, and is close to reaching its goal of having 50 students participate in providing business incubator services. Twice as much. SPARK business incubator too Expanded to Pottsville Collegetown Campus Established in October 2023 in partnership with Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) and IGNITE Schuylkill of the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald, President of Alvernia University, said: “Dr. Ridley's leadership in designing a unique student-led entrepreneurial model has been critical to the Leading College Town initiative and the Alvernia student experience.”
Ridley has also recently eavesdropped by AUTM, an organization of more than 3,100 technology transfer professionals, was a panelist on the “Rethinking TTO: From Technology Transfer to Knowledge Transfer” panel at the 2023 AUTM Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. Ridley is Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Proactive Colleges This model was awarded to (ACEEU) at the Triple E Awards Ceremony to be held in Barcelona, Spain in June 2023. He was recognized in the Male Entrepreneur of the Year award category for his exceptional entrepreneurial acumen, leadership, and significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Americas.
Alvernia purchased a 260,000-square-foot building in downtown Redding for $1 million and renovated it for $40 million. the John R. Post Center in Reading Collegetown; The facility, which currently houses the Opake Institute, is driving more than 1.5 million square feet of transformational projects along the downtown corridor. This also resulted in Alvernia University purchasing the former American House facility across from the Post Center as part of Phase 2 of the Reading College Town Plan, which is expected to be completed in June 2022. The building will expand Opake Institute's incubator space and retail space for local businesses. It is estimated that more than 300 new jobs will be created through the student-led business incubator.
