Innovation and Investment Shine at PACT’s 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference
Philadelphia, PA — November 3, 2025
By Jen Devor
The Philadelphia Alliance for Capital & Technologies (PACT) once again united the region’s most visionary founders and investors for the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference (MACC) — also known as Cap Con. Hosted by Blank Rome LLP on October 29–30, 2025, this year’s event spotlighted innovation, connection, and the future of growth in the Mid-Atlantic startup and investment ecosystem.
More than 750 attendees came together for two days of dealmaking, discovery, and dynamic conversation at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, featuring 65+ presenting companies and a powerhouse lineup of investors, executives, and entrepreneurs.
📸 View event photos by Greg Wright of Wright Eye Visuals →
Philadelphia Innovation on Full Display
The celebration began with PACT Fest at Reading Terminal Market, setting the tone for connection and collaboration in true Philadelphia style. The following day delivered a full schedule of company presentations, one-on-one investor meetings, and networking across technology, healthcare, and life sciences sectors.
Two keynote sessions headlined the conference in recognition of Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary of the Armed Forces:
- Jeff Eggers, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Rsquared Ventures and retired U.S. Navy SEAL, shared lessons on leadership and resilience—from the battlefield to the boardroom.
- Bernard (Bernie) Banks, Director of Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, offered insights on building transformative leaders and organizational growth.
The day concluded with the conference’s signature finale — the Lion’s Den — where select startups pitched live to top investors for real investment commitments.
The Lion’s Den: Live Investment and Big Wins
The 11th annual Lion’s Den brought another round of excitement and tangible outcomes, with all three pitching companies — Kognition AI, Layermor, and SynchLabs — receiving on-stage investment commitments (subject to due diligence).
2025 Lions included:
- Kathleen Brunner (Acumen Analytics; Broad Street Angels)
- Patrick Cozzi (Cesium; Bentley Systems)
- Dan Goldsmith (Tendo; Proof Point Capital)
- Jon Gosier (Audigent; Film Hedge)
- Brenda Kurnik (Robinhood Ventures)
On-Stage Investments:
- SynchLabs, led by CEO Melanie Herbert, secured $175,000 from Cozzi, Goldsmith, and Kurnik.
- Layermor, led by CEO Ella Whalestedt, secured $150,000 from Brunner and Cozzi.
- Kognition AI, led by CEO Matias Klein, secured $50,000 from Gosier.
Special thanks to RSM and Cozen O’Connor, sponsors of the Lion’s Den, for providing both financial support and in-kind due-diligence services.
Voices of Leadership
“The Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference continues to be the ultimate platform for connecting entrepreneurs with the capital, community, and confidence they need to scale,” said Dean Miller, President of PACT. “This year’s energy and collaboration prove that Philadelphia’s and the Mid-Atlantic’s innovation ecosystems are thriving.”
“The success of this year’s conference reflects the strength of our region’s network,” added Jen Devor, Vice President of Business Development & Operations at PACT. “These connections go beyond investment—they fuel lasting partnerships that drive growth.”
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
PACT extends heartfelt appreciation to the partners and organizations that make this event possible:
Activate Venture Partners • Aquiline Partners • Baker Tilly • Ballard Spahr • Bank of America • Ben Franklin Technology Partners • BioAdvance • Blank Rome LLP • Broad Street Angels • BullPen Capital • CBIZ • Centri Business Consulting • CFGI • Comcast • Cozen O’Connor • Darco Capital • Deloitte • DLA Piper • Duane Morris LLP • EisnerAmper • Entrepreneurial Operating Systems (EOS) • Exelon PECO • EY • Fairmount Partners • FirsTrust Bank • Fox Rothschild LLP • Fulton Bank • Gabriel Investments • G-Squared Partners • Hamilton Lane • Independence Blue Cross • Innovation Space • Innovation Works • JP Morgan • Juno Capital Partners • Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg • KPMG LLP • Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP • MVP Capital • Nouveau Capital • NewSpring Capital • Osage Partners • Penn Center for Innovation • Penn Engineering • Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center • PlainSight Capital • Royer Cooper Cohen & Braunfeld • RSM • SEI • Seminal Capital Partners • Silicon Valley Bank • SRI Capital • Stephano Slack LLC • Stout Risius Ross • Susquehanna Growth Equity • Temple University • TriNet • Troutman Pepper Locke • University City Science Center • Vanguard • Zer0 to 5ive
About PACT
The Philadelphia Alliance for Capital & Technologies (PACT) is the region’s leading resource for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. PACT connects members to capital, coaching, and customers, accelerating business growth and strengthening Philadelphia’s position as a hub for technology, healthcare, and life sciences innovation.
Learn more at philadelphiapact.com.
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