By John George – Senior Reporter, Philadelphia Business Journal
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania has formed an investment group to support the development of early-stage companies focused on health care technologies and outcomes.
The four-person health care investment team will led by Jennifer Hartt, who will serve as its managing director. Since 2006, Hartt has closed more than 150 investments totaling about $45 million in more than 80 companies while in the role of director of investments at Ben Franklin. She received bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Hartt said the group's focus will be on "guiding innovation’s role in developing better equitable access to care by developing better ventures which advance it." She said their ultimate client is the person whose health and wellness is positively impacted by that innovation.
Other members of the group are Sri Sriadibhatla, who will serve as investment director; and Kevon Gray and Roze McDevitt, both of whom will serve venture capital analysts.
The team, combined, has more than 70 years of experience in health care, technology, research, clinical fieldwork and investments.
In a statement, Ben Franklin CEO Scott Nissenbaum said Philadelphia's role as a leader in developing health care solutions "can only continue when burgeoning innovation has the right resources at its earliest levels."
"Ben Franklin’s charge has always been connecting innovators to the capital, counsel and connections which give that early support," he said. "We’re excited by the new resources and possibilities of the [health care investment group] team."
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