The Philly region is closing out 2025 with multiple investments in tech education.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education received $1 million from Google’s philanthropic arm to expand its AI education program. Also, the Wistar Institute secured funding to continue its decades-old lab technician training program.
Plus, a new angel investor group affiliated with the entrepreneur support org popped up in Chester County, and more money moves.
Penn AI program expands thanks to $1M from Google
The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) plans to increase the reach of its Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program after receiving $1 million from Google.
The PASS program teaches educators and administrators about the impact and applications of AI. With the new funding, the program will expand to five additional school districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
“By equipping educators with the tools, knowledge and ethical frameworks they need, we are helping to shape a future where AI enhances learning and promotes equity in every classroom,” said L. Michael Golden, vice dean of innovative programs and partnerships at Penn GSE.
Earlier this year, Penn GSE partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to run a pilot of the course, which received positive feedback from participants.
Wistar secures $600k for apprenticeship program
Research institution the Wistar Institute will use a $600,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation to continue offering its Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Pre-apprenticeship Program.
This 25-year-old program prepares community college students and qualified adults for jobs in biomedical, pharmaceutical and biotech labs. Throughout multiple iterations of the program, its goal has always been to help non-traditional students access sustainable jobs in the life sciences industry.
“The BTT program offers an accelerated pathway to careers that are of critical importance to life science organizations throughout the region,” said Kristy Shuda McGuire, dean of biomedical studies. “This funding from the William Penn Foundation enables us to continue offering the program and building a skilled workforce to strengthen the life science industry in our region.”
Ideas x Innovation Network launches angel investment group
Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n), an entrepreneurship resource organization run by the Chester County Economic Development Corporation, started an angel investment group focused on early-stage tech companies in southeastern Pennsylvania.
“The formation and implementation of i2n Angels is a natural extension of the services that i2n has provided to entrepreneurs for more than a decade,” Matt Cabrey, director of i2n’s angel investment group, said. “We are excited to introduce this new capital resource that further advances our regional innovation ecosystem.”
The group plans to give checks between $50,000 and $500,000 to companies, as well as provide mentorship to founders. It’s also currently seeking accredited investors to join.
More money moves:
- BACH, a bachelor and bachelorette party planning app, raised $5 million, according to an SEC filing.
- The William Penn Foundation and its partners awarded over $8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the Philly region to support a variety of workforce training programs.
- New Jersey’s Office of Innovation won a grant from the Center for Civic Futures’ Public Benefit Innovation Fund to expand the state’s generative AI platform.
- Healthcare technology company LifeLens Technologies raised $15 million, according to an SEC filing.
- Forte3D, which makes string instruments with 3D-printed frames and carbon fiber, secured $250,000 in exchange for 16% equity from investor Lori Greiner on the TV show Shark Tank.
- Scout Robotics, formerly known as Sahay AI, announced that it raised a $1.8 million pre-seed round back in May. This funding will support the continued development of its rail inspection system.
- Campus Philly selected 13 local universities, colleges and nonprofits to give the first round of its Campus250 grants. The allocated $60,000 will support programming for the semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026.
- The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage announced $8.6 million in grants to support art exhibitions and cultural programming for America’s 250th birthday, including two tech-related projects. Escape->Control->Play at Drexel University’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery will be an interactive exhibit about video games and community building. The Museum of Music Technology will open an exhibit about music engineer Don Buchla and his work with digital music creation.
- Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry selected orgs across the state to distribute $4.2 million in grants for advanced manufacturing workforce training programs. In the Philadelphia area, the Philadelphia Academies Inc., Community College of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Works received funding to start new programs. Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters’ Technical Centers and CCP will also expand existing programs.
