Latest news with #FranklinInstitute
Technical.ly
a day ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
Philly Tech Week 2025: A milestone year for innovation and collaboration
Philly Tech Week 2025 was a celebration to remember! This marked the 15th anniversary of our city's signature tech event, and it exemplified everything that we know and love about Philadelphia's innovation ecosystem. At 1Philadelphia, we were honored to support this long standing tradition and to contribute to the growing momentum that defines Philly's tech community. What stood out most for me wasn't just the scale of the week — it was the energy. New core memories were unlocked for me as I watched crowds from the stairs of the Franklin Institute, seeing connections being made and new ideas being shared. Whether you attended an event with a packed room listening to a founder pitch their startup or at a community-led event in a neighborhood space, I hope you also felt a renewed sense of momentum, of possibility. Now in its 15th year, Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast drew thousands of participants and featured over 50 events curated by more than 80 community partners. But it wasn't just about the number of sessions — it was about the new voices leading them. First-time founders, funders from outside the region, students, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from all backgrounds were not just attendees, but architects of the week. Their presence shifted the tone. Seeing so many individuals and organizations come together under the shared mission of innovation was extraordinarily powerful. And perhaps that's the point. What makes Philly Tech Week so powerful isn't just the focus on technology — it's that we use tech as a lens to talk about building the future we want. This year, we saw more founders take center stage, more conversations about access, ownership, and community-centered innovation. We saw a city that's ready to bet on its own talent. At 1Philadelphia, our commitment is to create the conditions for that talent to grow. We believe deeply in expanding access to tech across the city — especially those who haven't always been centered in these conversations. Philly Tech Week gave us a chance to celebrate that progress, but also to fuel what comes next. Looking ahead From November 13–15, we'll keep that momentum going by hosting our fourth annual Innovation Weekend — a national convening for founders, funders, and ecosystem builders who are serious about creating equitable opportunities in tech. It will build on the spirit of PTW and deepen the conversations that matter most. To everyone who brought their energy, ideas, and creativity to this year's Philly Tech Week — thank you. You reminded us what's possible when a city chooses to lead differently. Stay connected with us and remain part of the movement. Let's keep building.
Hypebeast
7 days ago
- General
- Hypebeast
Tourist Damages 2,000 Year Old Terracotta Warriors
Summary A man damaged two prized terracotta warriors after scaling a fence and jumping into a restricted area of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in Xi'an, China last Friday. The 30-year-old domestic tourist 'climbed over the guardrail and the protective net' before diving more than 17 feet into Pit No. 3, according to an official statement issued on Saturday. Once inside, he reportedly 'pushed and pulled' several warriors which were 'damaged to varying degrees.' Footagefrom the incident quickly circled around Weibo, showing the man lying on the ground, surrounded by the toppled statues. Security intervened shortly after, detaining the individual who they believe '[suffers] from mental illness.' The Terracotta Army, discovered in 1974 by local farmers, was created around 210 BCE to accompany China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. The elaborate necropolis includes over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each distinct in appearance, as well as hundreds of horses, chariots and real bronze weaponry. This isn't the first time the clay warriors have seen damage. In 2017, a man in Philadelphia drunkenly snapped a finger off of one of the statues on view at the Franklin Institute. After pleading guilty in a 2023 hearing, the culprit said he was willing tosell his prized sneaker collectionto cover the cost. While the investigation for the recent incident still underway, the museum remains open to visitors, a spokesperson confirmed toAFP.
Metro
7 days ago
- General
- Metro
Tourist smashes two Terracotta Army warriors during bizarre museum rampage
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Two of the world famous Terracotta Army clay warriors have been damaged after a tourist jumped into a pit and pushed them over. The 30-year-old man launched himself into the pit at the museum housing the antiques in Xi'an, China, on May 30, while eyewitnesses looked on in shock. Once inside the 18ft deep pit, the man, only identified by his surname, Sun, pushed and pulled over the statues. Video footage then shows him lying on the ground covering his face as eyewitnesses yell at him. One, Xiao Lin, said he was visiting the site with a tour guide when he suddenly saw the man jump in. He shouted, 'What are you doing?' before the man touched the figures and pushed them over. He said: 'Later, the museum was closed, and we were evacuated by staff. I didn't see how the man was removed from the pit.' A tour guide at the scene, named Tete, confirmed the man jumped in and toppled over the terracotta warriors. Afterwards museum security restrained the man while authorities confirmed he is suffering with his mental health. The exhibit is still open to the public while officials work to repair the damage. The Terracotta Army is regarded as one of China's greatest archaeological treasures and features a collection of more than 8,000 life-sized soldiers. The figures date from around the late 200s BCE and were discovered on March 29, 1974, by local farmers just outside Xi'an. In 2017, a man admitted to stealing a thumb from one of the Terracotta statues that was on display in Pennsylvania. Footage showed him taking selfies with the statues before appearing to break something off. The missing thumb was only noticed a month later and the FBI was called. More Trending Michael Rohana, snapped it off at the the Franklin Institute museum from the statue which was estimated to be worth $4.5million. By that figure, the damage to the statues in Xi'an could possible be $9million. Rohana later admitted that he had kept the thumb in a drawer. He was acquitted after his lawyer argued he was wrongly charged under laws that usually apply to major museum thefts. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: British man arrested in the US is accused of spying for China MORE: Leader who killed 6,000,000 of his own honoured in new statue MORE: I live in a 'murder house' – this is what it's really like
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment tourist jumps railing and plunges 18ft into Terracotta Army pit before smashing two priceless statues
THIS is the shocking moment a tourist jumps a railing around the famous Terracotta Army and smashes up two of the priceless statues. The 30-year-old visitor leapt over the guard rail surrounding the clay warrior figures at a museum in the city of Xi'An on Friday. 5 The tourist leapt down into the 18ft-deep pit, landing amongst Terracotta Army warriors Credit: News Flare 5 Two statues can be seen knocked over and damaged Credit: News Flare 5 The man, identified as 30-year-old Sun, is said to suffer from mental health problems Credit: News Flare Footage shows the aftermath of his jump and senseless destruction of the 2000-year-old artefacts. He can be seen lying on his back and rolling around - apparently in pain - at the bottom of an 18ft-deep pit. The alleged vandal is leaning against one of the ancient statues as alarmed onlookers peer down into the pit. Another angle shows the devastating extent of the damage to the statues. read more in world news WEB OF DESTRUCTION Inside Ukraine's SAS-style 'Spiderweb' blitz step by incredible step Two have been knocked over and lie in pieces on the floor after the man "pushed and pulled" the clay figures. They can clearly be seen to have crumbled in part - with officials reporting they were damaged to "varying degrees". Security guards for the museum quickly stepped in to grab the intruder before he inflicted more damage. Authorities said the man, identified only by his surname Sun, suffers from mental health problems. They also confirmed an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Concerns have been raised about how Sun managed to breach the security measures - consisting of a railing protective net - to plunge into the deep pit. Dramatic moment gang blow up museum door & steal 2,500-year-old Golden Helmet in Ocean's 11-style heist before vanishing Despite the intrusion, museum staff confirmed that the Xi'An exhibition remains open to the public. In 2017, an American man admitted to stealing a thumb from one of the terracotta warriors while it was on exhibition in Pennsylvania. Michael Rohana, in his early 20s, snapped it off when it was on display at the Franklin Institute museum. In that case, the statue was estimated to be worth $4.5million. 5 The clay figures were discovered buried underground 50 years ago Credit: �2024 Netflix, Inc. 5 The sculptures are based on the army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Credit: Getty By that figure, the damage inflicted by the rogue tourist in Xi'An could amount to a whopping $9million, if the statues are ruined. Rohana was acquitted after his prosecution ended in a mistrial. His lawyer successfully argued that he was wrongly charged under laws that usually apply to major museum thefts. Surveillance footage had captured him "clowning around" with the statues and taking selfies, before appearing to break something from one before leaving. Museum staff noticed the missing thumb the following month and contacted the FBI. They later traced the thumb to Rohana, who admitted he had kept the thumb in a desk drawer.
Technical.ly
03-05-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Philly Tech Week and beyond: 29 mid-Atlantic tech community events in May
Every May, technologists, entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders come from all over the country to celebrate Philly Tech Week — but that's not all the month holds. There's a full slate of virtual and in-person gatherings across the mid-Atlantic to keep you busy through Memorial Day. Whether you're a founder seeking resources for your startup, a tech professional trying to learn new skills or a curious connector looking to build your network, you'll find what you need in this roundup. Check out the links below and browse the company directory for more info on the host orgs, and for more local tech community events (or to promote your own), visit Events board. Monday, May 5 Brunch and Business: AANHPI Leadership and Their Unyielding Resilience — 'Join Arlington Economic Development's BizLaunch team for an inspiring event — Brunch and Business: AANHPI Leadership and Their Unyielding Resilience — that honors the grit, passion and resilience of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) small business owners who turned dreams into reality — right here in our community. The event takes place on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Crystal City, located at 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA.' Hosted by Arlington Economic Development. 1PHL Spring 2025 Exchange — 'The Spring 2025 Exchange is a gathering of leaders focused on shaping the future of digital access, education and entrepreneurship in Philadelphia. Hosted at the historic Franklin Institute, this event will showcase current research, highlight impactful policies, and explore the latest developments in Philly's innovation ecosystem. The day will culminate in a vibrant reception to officially kick off Philly Tech Week, providing an ideal space to connect, celebrate, and envision what's next for Philadelphia's tech community.' Hosted by 1Philadelphia. PTW25 Kickoff Party — 'Get ready to kick off the 15th annual Philly Tech Week presented by Comcast! Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection and collaboration in the iconic Franklin Institute rotunda. This free happy hour is the perfect opportunity to meet local innovators, exchange ideas, and build meaningful professional relationships. Whether you're a startup founder, tech enthusiast, or industry veteran, you'll find this vibrant gathering to be an inspiring start to an incredible week. Don't miss out on the chance to engage with Philadelphia's dynamic tech ecosystem in one of the city's most stunning venues! DJ Diamond Kuts will back to help us bring the energy to this year's Kickoff Party.' Hosted by 1Philadelphia. Health Sciences Sprint Final Showcase — 'Join us to view the final project presentations of the first ever high school group to complete the Health Sciences Sprint! After working with mentors from a variety of healthcare fields such as physicians, physician assistances, nurses, nutrition experts, physical therapists, mental health counselors, and more, students have developed their very own health action plans for the community.' Hosted by University City Science Center. Tuesday, May 6 Philly Tech Week: Innovate & Inspire: Research Panel & Pitch Competition — 'Join PCI, PACT and Pennovation Works at our annual Philly Tech Week program on May 6, where groundbreaking research meets entrepreneurial vision. This dynamic event will feature a distinguished research panel showcasing cutting-edge discoveries from Penn's brightest minds, followed by an exciting pitch competition, where innovators present their ideas to a panel of experts and investors.' Hosted by Penn Center for Innovation. Pulse Check: Health Tech Trends Shaping the Next Decade — 'This session brings together founders, funders, and practitioners to explore the most significant trends driving innovation in health tech. From AI and personalized care to equitable access and new funding models, we'll examine what's emerging, what's sticking, and what it means for the future of healthcare. Get insights from every corner of the ecosystem as we chart the course for the next decade of impact.' Hosted by University City Science Center. Wednesday, May 7 AI at the Crossroads: Ethics, Innovation and Impact — 'As part of Philly Tech Week and AI Month, this panel explores the balance between cutting-edge AI advancements and responsible development, with a focus on the broader societal impact of artificial intelligence.' Hosted by Penn Center for Innovation. — 'Join GrantExec LLC and Arlington Consulting Group on May 7, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM for an insightful webinar designed for government contractors and grantseekers. This event will provide a deep dive into the current federal market landscape, examining major economic disruptions, budget cuts, and the emerging opportunities that can help your organization thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.' Hosted by Arlington Economic Development. PCI Ventures Office Hours with Yi-Yen Chen (Virtual) — 'Meet virtually with a member of the PCI Ventures team to discuss your business questions on topics ranging from company formation and legal agreements to benefits and insurance.' Hosted by Penn Center for Innovation. Healthcare M&A: Current Market Trends and Transaction Considerations — 'Healthcare M&A activity is expected to heat up in 2025, with deal volumes and values showing potential signs of acceleration. However, this optimism could be tempered by uncertainties stemming from tariffs and the broader macroeconomic environment. The imposition of new tariffs has introduced significant unpredictability, which could lead to more cautious deal-making in the short term. Join Withum's Healthcare and Valuation Services Teams, Michael Ritchie, Taylor Burns, and Chris Marrs for an insightful discussion on the latest market trends and key considerations for those exploring transactions in the healthcare space. This webinar is tailored for healthcare professionals, business operators, and investors seeking the knowledge and strategies to confidently navigate the evolving market landscape.' Hosted by Withum. Thursday, May 8 Builders Conference 2025 — 'The Builders Conference is an annual two-day conference focused on local ecosystem building and the storytelling that supports it. Hosted by the country's leading ecosystem storytelling news organization, Builders brings together entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and those that support local entrepreneurial and tech-led economic and workforce development strategies.' Hosted by Innovation to Impact: Collaborating with Health Systems in Greater Philadelphia — 'Healthcare systems are complex organizations with unique operational needs, regulatory requirements, and adoption challenges. Bringing healthcare innovations to market – and into the hands of clinicians and patients – requires more than just a great product. It demands strategic alignment with the needs and operations of health systems, a clear understanding of the regulatory and reimbursement landscapes, and access to resources and opportunities. The discussion will highlight accelerator programs in the ecosystem like Science Center's U.S. Market Access and Capital Readiness programs help international and early-stage startup companies scale successfully in the U.S. healthcare market.' Hosted by University City Science Center. — 'Every year, the threat actors that attack companies get more creative. Our team will discuss global trends that are defining the incident response landscape in 2025 and how to deal with these difficult crisis situations.' Hosted by Morgan Lewis. Tuesday, May 13 TEDCO's DefTech Monthly Office Hours — 'Come to the office hours to discuss how DefTech can support your business by leveraging cutting-edge technology, facilities, equipment, and expertise found in the Maryland Department of Defense Labs.' Hosted by TEDCO. Wednesday, May 14 PitchMasters — 'At this virtual, workshop-style event, companies seeking to become 'pitch-perfect' will present their investor decks to the group and receive feedback to help refine their pitch before they go in front of investors. This is a great opportunity for companies to get ready for that 'ask.' Founders receive 6 minutes to pitch and 5 minutes of feedback.' Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers. Hot Privacy and Data Security Issues on the Hill — 'This webinar will cover recent privacy and data security developments on Capitol Hill and at the US Federal Communications Commission and US Federal Trade Commission.' Hosted by Morgan Lewis. Beyond the Hype: Building a Practical Path to AI Success — 'AI has the potential to transform businesses but not without a solid foundation. Too often, organizations chase the latest AI tools or use cases without first addressing the basics: securing buy-in and getting their data in order. This 'shiny object syndrome' leads to stalled projects, compliance headaches and missed opportunities. In this webinar, we'll break down why AI initiatives falter and how to avoid common pitfalls. We'll share a clear, step-by-step approach that begins with small, high-impact quick wins to build momentum before tackling AI at a larger scale within your organization.' Hosted by Withum. Thursday, May 15 Regulatory Considerations for AI in MedTech — 'As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize the medical technology industry, navigating the evolving regulatory landscape is crucial for success. This webinar will provide insights into key regulatory considerations for AI-driven medical devices, including FDA requirements, risk assessment, validation strategies, and emerging global regulatory trends. Join Jennifer Palinchik and Fehmida Kapadia as they discuss best practices for bringing AI-powered MedTech innovations to market while ensuring safety, efficacy, and compliance. Whether you're a startup, an established MedTech company, or a regulatory professional, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate regulatory challenges effectively.' Hosted by Ampilfy MedTech and sponsored by TEDCO. Baltimore Region Investment Summit — 'The Baltimore Region is making bold, game-changing investments shaping the future of business, innovation, and economic development. With over $4.4 billion in economic activity in 2024, the region is growing into a premier hub for cutting-edge technology, advanced manufacturing and supply chain, and infrastructure investment. As one of 31 federally designated Tech Hubs, the Baltimore Region is also actively unlocking new biotechnology and artificial intelligence frontiers. The region is witnessing significant real estate and corporate investment activity, transforming its skyline, workforce, and global competitiveness. If you are expanding or relocating your business, or are an investor, the Baltimore Region Investment Summit is exactly where you need to be.' Hosted by Greater Baltimore Committee and sponsored by TEDCO. Tuesday, May 20 Launch Your Dream Business: Life After Government — 'You've dedicated your career to government service. Your commitment and expertise go beyond job titles — past, present and future. Whether you're exploring new career paths, considering entrepreneurship, or thinking about consulting, your expertise has value in more ways than one. Join SCORE, Arlington County's BizLaunch, Arlington Employment Center, and Arlington Public Library to learn the key elements you need to have and the many low-cost services available to you.' Hosted by Arlington Economic Development. Tech Ecosystem Conference — 'The About That Life Tech Ecosystem Conference, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, is exclusively for young adults ages 18-24 who live in Wilmington, Delaware and are under/unemployed (earning less than $40k annually), not enrolled in college or a tech training program, not enlisted in the military, and are looking to build a better future for themselves. The goal of the conference is to develop a motivated group of Aspiring Tech Professionals and ensure they have the tools and access to training to succeed in Delaware's tech ecosystem. This free-of-cost one-day event features inspiring guest speakers, panel discussions and tech industry conversations, life skills workshops, resource booths, networking opportunities, refreshments, and much more!' Hosted by Tech Council of Delaware. Wednesday, May 21 PCI Ventures Office Hours with Bhavana Mohanraj (Virtual) — 'Meet virtually with a member of the PCI Ventures team to discuss your business questions on topics ranging from company formation and legal agreements to benefits and insurance.' Hosted by Penn Center for Innovation. Wednesday, May 28 TEDCO's Investment Open Forum — 'Come to the Open Forum to discuss topics related to venture capital investing and learn more about the TEDCO Investment Funds.' Hosted by TEDCO. PCI Ventures Office Hours with Melisa Lopez-Anton (Virtual) — 'Meet virtually with a member of the PCI Ventures team to discuss your business questions on topics ranging from company formation and legal agreements to benefits and insurance.' Hosted by Penn Center for Innovation. Thursday, May 29 Virtual Rocket Pitch + Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur — 'CONNECTpreneur Virtual Rocket Pitch events are the World's Largest investor pitch events, with the greatest number of accredited investors, VCs, private investors and angels. This will be our 131st event (65th Virtual) over the last 14 years. CONNECTpreneur is a bi-monthly networking mashup that has been attended by 30,000+ business leaders over the past 14 years. Our events are cited as 'The Best Networking Events in the MidAtlantic' by independent media as well as over 70% of surveyed past attendees.' Hosted by CONNECTpreneur with partnership from NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers. Online Digital Safety and Content Moderation: Developing Frameworks in the EU, UK, and US — 'We will discuss the continuing focus of governments and regulatory agencies globally on the new era of 'active' online digital safety and content moderation, including analysis of changes in law and regulation that will impact technology industry stakeholders around the world.' Hosted by Morgan Lewis. Maximizing IP in Challenging Times — 'As we navigate the complexities of 2025, staying ahead in intellectual property law means understanding both the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving regulations and technological advancements. Join us for a panel discussion featuring Ballard Spahr's very own Brian LaCorte, Andrea Stone, and Drew Hensley. Andrea and Drew, both seasoned patent lawyers, will delve into strategies for protecting and monetizing your IP assets and offer invaluable insights into the latest government changes impacting IP.' Hosted by Ballard Spahr. Friday, May 30 Founders Q&A with Anthony Millin — 'An open session for founders to ask serial entrepreneur, venture capital partner, startup attorney, and Founder of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers Anthony Millin questions about launching and growing a company.' Hosted by NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers.
