1. A Week in Philly: Transforming a CEO’s Plans
2. Philly’s Venture Capital Quarter: A New Norm?
3. News Incubator: Updates and Insights
4. On the Calendar: Upcoming Events in Philly
5. Join the Conversation on Technical.ly’s Community Slack

CEO Considers Moving Company HQ to Philly After a Week in the City

Marvin Barron, a Queen Village resident and CEO of Pearl Antigenics, is considering relocating his medtech company’s headquarters to Philadelphia after spending a week in the city. Pearl Antigenics, currently based out of Washington State University, is looking for a new city to call home.

Barron participated in the Science Center’s Capital Readiness Program, which gave him an up-close look at the region’s life sciences ecosystem. The experience has left him seriously considering Philadelphia as the new HQ for Pearl Antigenics.

The Science Center is actively marketing the region to startups across the country, showcasing the opportunities and resources available in Philadelphia for companies like Pearl Antigenics.

Philadelphia Sees $819M in Venture Capital Deals in Q1 2024

The Philadelphia region kicked off the year with a strong start in venture capital deals, with companies raising a total of $819 million across 92 deals in the first quarter of 2024. This marks a significant improvement from the previous quarter’s $463 million raised in nearly as many deals.

While the current quarter’s total raise is down from a recent spike, it is higher than pre-pandemic levels and may indicate a new norm for venture capital activity in the region. The data, released quarterly by PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association, suggests that Philadelphia is becoming a more attractive destination for investment.

Other News and Events in Philadelphia

In other news, Comcast and Chester-based Power Home Remodeling were ranked among Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work for 2024. Tax day is approaching, and Philadelphia residents should be aware of the school income tax for certain types of unearned income.

Leasing in Philadelphia is off to a strong start in 2024, with last quarter’s numbers nearly double those of Q1 2023, according to a report from real estate services company JLL. Additionally, nominations are open for the 2024 RealLIST Connectors honoree, recognizing local tech leaders who excel at bringing people together.

Upcoming Events in Philadelphia

Looking ahead, Coffee&Code@Philly is hosting a code session on April 13 at Chapterhouse Cafe and Gallery. PHILLY GRAPHIX is hosting a meetup for graphic and UX designers on the same day at White Dog Cafe. Iffy Books is hosting an event on IP addressing basics on April 13 at 3:30 p.m.

Overall, Philadelphia’s tech and startup ecosystem continues to thrive, attracting attention from CEOs like Marvin Barron and investors alike.