Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania have approved $1.9 million in funding for 11 early-stage regional companies, including five in Chester County.

The companies are AboutOne, Ajungo Holdings, Defend Your Head, Dynamic Energy Solutions and Vy Corporation.

AboutOne is a secure, private online subscription service with patent-pending technology to help parents and caregivers manage household data such as photos, videos, and health and education records.  The firm is led by Joanne Lang, Lorraine LoPresti and Nathan Bayles.

Ajungo (meaning “to connect”) helps companies engage in social lead capture and leverage data from social media.  Ajungo turns web traffic into foot traffic for brick and mortar establishments and e-commerce businesses.  Its principals are Steve Shea, Mike Wham and Jason Gagne.

Defend Your Head of Chester Springs developed and patented a soft-shell protective helmet called the “ProCap” to reduce head injuries.  Market tests show the helmet absorbs and dissipates energy, reduces impact and deflects blows.   Market launch is set for this summer.

DYH is led by John Roman, who spent 9 years in the NFL.  Roman was former president of Merrill Lynch Trust Co., and founded Valley Forge Capital Advisors.  The firms other principals are Frank Lytle and Greg Lewis.

Dynamic Energy provides comprehensive energy solutions and energy audits to help business maximize their energy investments.  Its principals are CEO Michael Perillo, Brett Thibodeau and Tony Parisi.

Vy Corporation is a software company specializing in shape detection services for the medical imaging market.  Its first product, CytoSavvy.com, is transforming digital pathology with a cloud-based service allowing medical personnel improve oncology drug outcomes with interactive diagnostic dashboards.  Its principal is John Freyhof.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.  During the past 30 years Ben Franklin has invested more than $170 million in capital to start-up regional tech companies.

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Top image of Dynamic Energy’s solar arrays totaling 505kW installed on Dansko Shoes‘ roof in West Grove.