RoseAnn Rosenthal

Mrs. Rosenthal serves as the Managing Director for the First Fund at the Innovation Space. She gained national, regional, and local recognition for her years of work in economic development and particularly in technology-based economic development. These include the 2008 Founders Award from Delaware’s Early-Stage East fund for her work in support of investment and entrepreneurship across state lines. She recently transitioned, after 25 years, from her role as President, CEO, and Board member of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeast PA where she remains a Senior Advisor and Board Emeritus.

At Ben Franklin, Mrs. Rosenthal introduced the investment approach now used by the BFTPs statewide, enabling the state support to evergreen and build over time. At Ben Franklin, she oversaw the design and implementation of the first round of SSBCI funds for early- stage investment as well as other federal investment and technical assistance programs. She has provided input to the US Treasury on the current SSBCI program via her participation with SSTI and NVCA.

Mrs. Rosenthal has served on many advisory committees at the national level, through multiple administrations, has testified before Congress on issues of regional economic development, and was one of the initial members of the National Advisory Committee for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She has been recognized for her work to advance women and minorities in areas of entrepreneurship. She was key to the recent launch of the JVS Philadelphia Fund for Women and has advised the minority-led Plain Sight Ventures. She has served on both public and non-profit boards and remains active with several non-profit organizations advancing issues including the impact economy and global trade.

She is also active in the angel investment community. In 2017, Mrs. Rosenthal co-founded and remains Chair of Broad Street Angels, a 120+ member angel group based at the Union League of Philadelphia.