Two area firms will receive funding from Ben Franklin Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania to enhance marketing efforts and bolster organizational processes.
Brian Jagger, founder and chief technology officer for TechA11y — based in the Scranton Enterprise Center on Lackawanna Avenue in the city — plans to use the $75,000 investment to boost marketing, sales and focus.
Founder and Chief Technology Officer for TechA11y Brian Jagger in his office inside of the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton on Friday, March 27, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Founder and Chief Technology Officer for TechA11y Brian Jagger in his office inside of the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton on Friday, March 27, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Founder and Chief Technology Officer for TechA11y Brian Jagger in his office inside of the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton on Friday, March 27, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Founder and Chief Technology Officer for TechA11y Brian Jagger in his office inside of the Scranton Enterprise Center in Scranton on Friday, March 27, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
TechA11y offers an AI-powered web accessibility compliance platform that combines audits, remediation and ongoing monitoring, Ben Franklin officials said.
“We have the technology in a really good place right now,” Jagger said. “The biggest challenge for us is getting the word out. It kind of evolved over the summer and then, thankfully, I was part of the TechCelerator program the chamber puts on. That really helped us define what we were doing and accelerate the concept.”
Jagger — who has nearly a decade of experience in AI and has served as an AI engineer since 2019 — moved to the area from Idaho in June and enjoys working in the region.
“The community has been really supportive and welcoming,” he said. “Prior to this, I was working on a project focused on educational tools for schools and AI in schools. As we were looking at what we would need to do to make sure all the items we were working on for accessibility … were compliant, we realized we were able to solve a problem for other people with the solutions we came up with.”
Ken Okrepkie, regional manager for Ben Franklin’s northeast division, praised Jagger’s commitment to his craft and entrepreneurial spirit.
“He’s identified a problem, they had initial customers that are utilizing the products, and now it’s (time) to elevate the market acceptance by rolling out the products on a national scale,” Okrepkie said.
Pittston Twp.-based Interstate Window & Door Co. will receive a $25,000 one-to-one cash match where they will engage a resource to do process improvement activity through Ben Franklin’s manufacturing program, Okrepkie said.
The company — founded in 1938 — has evolved over a number of generations for building products and building materials, Okrepkie added.
“This most recent generation is focused on making some of the best windows in the industry,” he said. “They’ve excelled recently in vinyl and composite wood windows from an energy efficiency perspective. They’re doing an assessment of their manufacturing processes, and how they can strengthen the organization as it positions itself for continued growth in the industry.”