Philly weekly roundup: Penn data center; Wistar’s new training cohort; What 2026 means for the city

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This week in Philly, a new interim commerce director for the city, FSH Technologies pitches a $2 million contract with Pittsburgh Public Schools and more.

Read on for Technical.ly’s weekly roundup of top news in the region.

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

• There’s a new entrepreneur support org in town. United Effects Ventures is a venture studio and incubator seeking to help early-stage founders and boost the Philly startup ecosystem. [Technical.ly]

• Philly Startup Leaders recently announced its rebrand to Startup Leaders, with a shifted focus to virtual and national programming. This move comes after years of declining revenue. [Technical.ly]

• The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Advanced Research Computing Center is partnering with data center company Flexential to create infrastructure to support the university’s AI-based research. [PR Newswire]

• Fore Biotherapeutics raised $38 million, an extension of its $75 million Series D in 2023. Since being founded in 2011, the company has raised over $200 million in venture capital. [Philly Biz Journal/Technical.ly]

•  The Wistar Institute selected six biotechnology students from Montgomery County Community College to attend its biomedical technician training program this summer. [MCCC]

• Stakeholders discussed the impact that events in 2026 will have on Philadelphia’s economy and business ecosystem at the Global Trade Summit at Temple University last week. [Technical.ly Slack]

• BioAnalysis, Integrated Reality Labs, Ghost Robotics, NeuroFlow, Spirovant Sciences and Boomi all took home awards at PACT’s annual Enterprise Awards last week. FS Investments’ Michael Forman was also recognized with the Legend Enterprise Award for Lifetime Achievement. [PACT]

• Despite the recent setbacks at gene therapy company Spark Therapeutics, the Philly life sciences ecosystem will push forward, Rebecca Grant said on Technical.ly’s WURD Radio segment. [Technical.ly]

• Two candidates for New Jersey governor are using AI in their campaign ads. [The Inquirer]

• Meet two Philly companies using software to address challenges in education and healthcare. Edtech startup Yellowdig has developed a social media-like platform for students and instructors to enhance virtual learning. Atalan is working to reduce workforce turnover in healthcare through its machine learning platform.  [Technical.ly]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Partner event: Find out firsthand from local elected officials what their plans are to navigate the scientific landscape in the current political climate. The free town hall hosted by the Philadelphia Science Action takes place on May 29. [Get tickets]

• Partner event: Big companies like Comcast reveal how they approach innovation — and what startups should know about working with them. At a free event on June 5, experts will discuss the structured programs, dedicated teams and clear processes that go into building new ideas. [Register]

• Make guitar-playing robots at Iffy Books’ Thrash Bot Workshop on May 28. [More details]

• Code and Coffee Philly is hosting a startup coworking circle on May 30. [More details]

• See health technology companies pitch at Penn Health-Tech Accelerator’s demo day on June 5. [Get tickets]

• Watch startups compete for a $20,000 grand prize at the Future Forward Garden Party Pitch Competition on Jun 7. [Buy tickets]