In The News

Behind the B Corp 'badge of honor' with Mugshots, Workplace Dynamics

Entrepreneur Friday, June 22, 2012

Mugshots CoffeeHouse & Cafe and Workplace Dynamics in Exton are profiled as proud, eco-conscious members of the B Corp movement, reports Entrepreneur.

Mugshots owner Angela Vendetti says just making it through the extensive certification process is something to be proud of as an entrepreneur. "There are all kinds of questions about your waste policy and what you do for the environment," Vendetti says. "They ask about cleaning products and energy, everything from what you offer your employees to how you consider your neighbors in the decisions you make."

Original source: Entrepreneur

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American Revolution Center's "historical" design plans draw mixed reviews

Art Info Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Art Info weighs in on plans to overhaul the American Revolution Center's Museum of the American Revolution at Third and Chestnut.

Saffron is one of several critics and locals who see Stern's conservative Georgian reproduction to be a lost opportunity for Philadelphia. Her criticism comes up against the cheers of neo-traditionalist advocates, who argue that a "historical" style is appropriate for a building that will not only house historical artifacts but also abut landmarks dating back one, even two centuries. However, as Hidden City Philadelphia writer Nathaniel Popkin points out, the Revolution museum's surroundings are sprinkled with buildings from various time periods: the neighboring First Bank of the United States boasts a grand neoclassical façade, and the Merchant Exchange Building is likewise a tribute to white stone and Renaissance-era tectonics. Also nearby are twinned cast-iron high-rises and other buildings that visibly embrace the advent of glass-and-steel construction.

Original source: Art Info

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Penn School of Medicine research isolates important gut bacteria

New Scientist Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A David Artis-led team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds the immune system may be more sophisticated than originally thought in controlling important gut bacteria, reports New Scientist.

The discovery opens up new ways to treat diseases aggravated by bugs that escape from the gut, says Lora Hooper of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

"This work has uncovered some truly exciting new insights into the role of innate lymphoid cells in the gut, showing that they function like border collies that keep intestinal bacteria from escaping to other parts of the body," she says.

Original source: New Scientist

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Philly, a tech scene where you'd never think to look

Fast Company Friday, June 15, 2012

Fast Company cites Philadelphia among 15 tech scenes in places you'd never think to look (although it's really not that unlikely, is it?).

What's changing? Resources, such as coworking spaces, incubators, and investment dollars, are dripping into the area. And perhaps for the first time in recent memory, young people are moving to Philadelphia.

Original source: Fast Company

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Comcast renews investment in DreamIt Ventures minority-focused entrepreneur program

TechCrunch Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Comcast Ventures renewed its investment in startup accelerator DreamIt Ventures' minority-focused entrepreneur program in Philadelphia and New York, DreamIt Access, reports TechCrunch.

DreamIt and Comcast Ventures, the venture capital arm of Comcast Corporation, first partnered on DreamIt Access in May 2011, announcing at the time a $350,000 fund to give five startups in the Philly 2011 program an extra infusion of capital (These included ElectNext, Kwelia, MetaLayer, ThaTrunk and Qwite, whose founders are African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Indian.) Later, the investment was formalized into a year-long minority accelerator program called DreamIt Access.

Original source: Tech Crunch

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City's latest restaurant openings in South Philly, Center City

Zagat Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Zagat touches on the recent debut of three Philadelphia restaurants, including Miss Rachel's Pantry, The Industry and Honeygrow.

On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can reserve a spot at the dozen-seat farmhouse table in Miss Rachel’s Dining Room, where a $45 prix fixe tasting menu of homestyle veg-friendly fare will be served at 7 PM each weekend night (1732 W. Passyunk Ave.; 215-798-0053).

Original source: Zagat

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How Philly's efforts to eliminate food deserts could spread nationally

Washington Post Monday, June 11, 2012

The Washington Post digs into Philadelphia's effort to drive availability and consumption of healthy food, which "could steer the course of American food policy."

Philadelphia’s study, distinct in scope and scale, may deliver a breakthrough.

The city has, in many ways, been the epicenter of American efforts to improve food access. Of the country’s 10 largest cities, its population is the lowest-income, and it has higher obesity rates than New York City and Baltimore. It’s home to The Food Trust, a nonprofit that has risen to national prominence as an advocate for increasing food access for low-income Americans.

Original source: Washington Post

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Textizen is Philly's answer to narrowing digital divide

Government Technology Monday, June 11, 2012

Government Technology reports on Code For America's work on Textizen, a citizen feedback platform launched last week for Philadelphia.

Neighborhood-specific questions are posed via colorful posters in public places like bus shelters, along with instructions as to how citizens can make their voices heard.

The PCPC is currently seeking input to revise two of the 18 district plans within the city. In the densely populated central district, people can text in views about the city’s recreation sites. Two separate questions are being asked in an effort to gather input that will help direct continued investment in the area, a haven for young families.

Original source: Government Technology

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After Philly launch, on-demand car service Uber eyes San Diego

TechCrunch Monday, June 11, 2012

After launching its on-demand car service in Philadelphia last month, Uber continues its expansion spree by launching in San Diego on Friday, reports TechCrunch.

With 1.3 million people in the city and 3.1 million in San Diego County, there’s a pretty big population for Uber to go after. And the population there is pretty well off, with about 30 percent of households having an annual income of $30,000 or more. That means plenty of potential riders with cash to spend on a premium car service.

Original source: TechCrunch

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Philly VC funds investing heavily in water technologies

Environmental Leader Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Philadelphia-based Meidlinger Partners and Conshohocken's Enertech Capital are among those who have invested heavily in water management products, which have raised more than $400 million in equity and debt over the past five years, reports Environmental Leader.

Altela, a US company that uses a highly efficient thermal distillation technology to desalinate and decontaminate wastewater, has raised $10 million to date. Enertech has invested in the company, and it is backed by Yates Petroleum and Merrion Oil and Gas. Altela is focused on fracking operations and has projects underway in the Marcellus Shale. Its technology meets new regulations for clean water discharge and has been validated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the US Department of Energy.

Original source: Environmental Leader

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Why a Philadelphia cleaning equipment company is on Pinterest

The New York Times Tuesday, June 05, 2012

The New York Times writes about Philadelphia-based Equipment Trade Service Company's interest in Pinterest.

Mr. Schuster, who happens to be the Web manager of a cleaning-equipment business called Equipment Trade Service Company, played around with Pinterest a bit. The next morning he told his boss, David Hart, the company’s owner, that they needed to be there. Mr. Hart got it right away and soon the company, which is based in Philadelphia and has 23 employees, had its own Pinterest presence. “Our customers want to see good product pictures before they pull out that credit card,” he said. “Pinterest is great for that.”

Original source: The New York Times

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iPads await Lower Merion kindergarteners this fall

Tablet Times Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Five year-olds in 14 of Lower Merion School District's kindergarten classes will have access to iPads for reading and math instruction, reports Tablet Times.

After a pilot project in one kindergarten class at Belmont Hills Elementary School last semester, George Frazier, director of information systems, and Jenn Goldberg, education technology specialist, were encouraged enough to recommend that the district expand the program.

Original source: Tablet Times

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'With art Philadelphia,' campaign ponders the most artistic mile in the country

The New York Times Friday, May 25, 2012

Five city institutions have combined to launch the "With art Philadelphia," advertising that makes the city hard to ignore as a visual arts destination, reports The New York Times.

The campaign, with a budget estimated at $2 million over the next two years, is being sponsored by the tourism marketing organization and more than a dozen other organizations, associations, foundations and institutions.

They include the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the State of Pennsylvania, the Barnes, three other museums and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Original source: The New York Times

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SnipSnap clipping away: 123,000 downloads and $555,000 seed round

Friday, May 25, 2012

Gigaom reports on Philadelphia-based Snip-Snap's continued rise, including a recent seed round of $550,000.

The app, which launched last month, allows people to scan coupons they find in a mailer or newspaper. It reformats the information in the app and makes it easy for people to present the barcode at the point of sale for redemption. Users can get set alerts to warn them before a coupon is about to expire or remind them when they enter a store where they’ve saved a coupon. The app also offers the ability to share coupons online through Facebook, Twitter and email.

Original source: Gigaom

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WSJ gushes over Philly's food, culture and design

Wall Street Journal Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Wall Street Journal's insider's guide to Philadelphia touts "miles of green space," among other assets.

All this art wouldn't do much good if it couldn't be accompanied by an excellent meal. Fortunately, Philadelphia is awash with tasty picks, from Mark Vetri's fine-Italian Vetri to the quirky Talula's Garden, which opened just last year and has already earned national acclaim. But don't worry -- the cheesesteaks will always be dripping with juice. Some things never quite get old.

Original source: Wall Street Journal

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