October 21, 2022

Shintaro Kaido, Drexel University's vice provost for Innovation and executive director of Drexel Applied Innovation, was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to serve as a board member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) is recognized as one of the most widely known and emulated state innovation and economic development programs in the nation and is responsible for funding Pennsylvania’s four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the BFTDA Venture Investment Program. 

Kaido will join the Authority’s 21-member board consisting of Pennsylvania leaders including elected officials and thought leaders in innovation, technology, higher education, and nonprofit economic development organizations. Drexel University President John Fry served as a board member from 2012 to 2015.

“Drexel University is pleased to see one of our leaders taking on a highly visible role in the Commonwealth to stimulate innovation and economic development. Since 2019, Shintaro has led pan-university initiatives to elevate Drexel’s innovation ecosystem including tech transfer,” said Aleister Saunders, PhD, executive vice provost for Research and Innovation.

Kaido is recognized nationally and internationally for his work in venture capital and academic technology transfer. He is a member of the Leadership Council for Activate, a 501(c)3 nonprofit which supports promising scientists whose research has the potential to transform the world move their innovation from lab to market through funded fellowships. Kaido is also a member of the internationally acclaimed Kauffman Fellows, a highly selective fellowship of 765 venture capital professionals originally founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 1994. Today, Kauffman Fellows represent over $290 billion in assets under management.

"The programs and funds provided by the BFTDA across the Commonwealth are critical components to our innovation ecosystem. Here at Drexel our student and tech-transfer startups have greatly benefited from the programs and funds that Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania provides to our community. Shintaro’s unique background and vision for academic tech transfer will undoubtedly help the BFTDA fulfill its mission to promote an entrepreneurial business environment, advance technology innovation and help to create a technology ready workforce," said Aleister Saunders.