The Delaware County KIZ is a state-designated area for encouragement of innovative thinking, creativity and technology transfer through strong local partnerships and resources. The Delaware County KIZ assists local entrepreneurs, start-up companies, and progressive businesses with implementing an innovative idea from start to finish. The Delaware County KIZ is your mentor and "idea partner."
The Delaware County KIZ facilitates partnerships between community players, economic development organizations and education institutions which provide clients with local resources and services for development, innovation, and growth that will enable emerging companies to move forward with developing and commercializing their products and processes. Equally as important, the Delaware County KIZ is a catalyst to partner emerging tech-based companies with Widener and Villanova Universities and ultimately the other Universities within the statewide KIZ program.
The Commonwealth ensures that state-supported companies and economic development organizations such as Small Business Development Centers, Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Industrial Resource Centers are active partners and prioritize their programs and enterprise support services to aid in the success of KIZ companies.
Eligible KIZ companies have priority consideration for investments from state-funded seed capital or early stage funds. These include the Health Venture Investment Account (Tobacco Settlement), the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and other proposed venture capital programs.
The Commonwealth assists in funding curricula development and related equipment to train workers needed for the new technology being developed and applied by KIZ companies or design centers. Eligible KIZ companies will have preferential status for Customized Job Training funds, online training offered through the Guaranteed Free Training program, or other forms of workforce development and assistance.