A Crumbl franchise opens May 2, drawing fans from around Erie region
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- Ben Franklin Technology Partners, a statewide investment program, awarded $390,000 to two Pennsylvania startups.
- Sphere Brake Defense received $200,000 to further develop its innovative military vehicle braking system and hire new employees.
- Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails received $190,000 to expand its non-alcoholic beverage brand and grow its e-commerce presence.
The Ben Franklin Technology partners of Central and Northern PA presented $390,000 worth of investments to two local startup companies, Sphere Brakes Defense and Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails, on May 6.
“Ben Franklin Technology Partners is a Pennsylvania exclusive commonwealth-wide investment program that helps people with an idea on a napkin or (if) they are already a company and need to scale,” said Brian Slawin, director and portfolio manager. “We provide not only capital, but also all of the resources to help entrepreneurial companies grow and hire people, … and make sure that they are a sustainable company into forever.”
What made Ben Franklin Technology Partners choose these two companies?
With all of the start up companies in Erie, Ben Franklin Technology Partners in Central and Northern PA chose Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails and Sphere Brake Defense because of the progress both companies have made and what the future holds for the businesses.
“It’s the progress that they’ve shown and the progress that their making,” Slawin said. “Ben Franklin’s number one mission is jobs creation and both companies have done that and are continuing to do that as they scale.”
Sphere Brake Defense presented $200,000
The big investment day for Ben Franklin Technology Partners began at 11:30 a.m. at Penn State Behrend’s Meehl Innovation Commons where they presented $200,000 in funding to Sphere Brake Defense.
Sphere Brake Defense, which is located at 2012 E. 33rd St. and was founded by Aaron Lewis in 2017, revolutionizes military vehicle braking systems according to their website.
Their bolt-on, in-wheel braking technology compresses hemispherical pads around a spherical surface, which delivers an increased breaking force in a compact design.
With this funding, Sphere plans to hire three new employees and extend the current contract with the military to their next contract.
Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails receives $190,000 investment
Ben Franklin Technology Program also provided a $190,000 investment to Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails, stationed at Room 33 at 1033 State St. Approximately $100,000 was received as a new investment and $90,000 went toward an old debt converted into equity.
“By the end of 2025, we should see investments into … companies that hopefully one day will be like Blind Tiger and what Rebecca Styn is doing,” Slawin said.
Led by Styn, who founded the company in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blind Tiger created spirit-free cocktails with both a no and low alcohol level.
In 2025, Blind Tiger had five flavors including “Bees Knees,” “Lavender French 75,” “Sidecar Mimosa,” “Southside Mojito” and “Ward 8.”
Today, Blind Tiger’s products can be found in more than 1,300 stores across the globe, in baseball stadiums and, most recently, Royal Caribbean cruises.
“I’d love for us to move into the hospitality space whether it’s an airline or a cruise ship,” Styn said. “I want to also continue to build and grow the brand and redefine the way people are drinking. It’s creating a different mindset that creates more inclusive options for people out there — for if folks want to drink or not — you are always part of the occasion.”
Styn told the Times-News that this funding is going to help her hire a new employee.
“The role we’re hiring is in growth marketing,” Styn said. “We don’t really focus (on the) direct-to-consumer side. Our business has been mainly retail and distribution. It’s 75% retail and distribution and 25% ecommerce and I really want to grow that ecommerce fund. That role will not only help us do that, but help us build our social media and our brand.”
The future of startup businesses in Pennsylvania
Both Styn and Slawin said that they hope inspire local entrepreneurs to start their dreams and know there is help out there.
“We call it ‘no wrong door.’ If an entrepreneur is brave enough to share their idea with someone outside of their immediate circle, they should try to tap into our network. We make sure they get the right resources and access to the right people at the right time,” Slawin said. “The easiest way to do that is to go to Benfranklin.org, select the county that your business is in and send some information along. …We will reach out to make sure that we are a yes for a conversation.”
Styn acknowledged that starting a business is not easy, but takes grit and dedication.
“It’s a hard road. … you’re going to fall down a lot,” Styn said, adding that business owners have to “… keep your eyes on the prize and continue to work for it.”
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
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