Plus, Atalan is working with a major healthcare system to develop a tool focused on patient experience and staff retention.

January 5, 2026

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technically-philly-newsletter

Happy New Year! 2026 is supposed to be Philly's big year thanks to events like America's 250th birthday and the World Cup.

 

We'll be following the news as it develops, and in the meantime, I'm working on a story about the possible economic impacts of these celebrations. How will this year's celebrations fuel growth in Philly — and are there any negative consequences of so much attention? Hit reply and let me know. 

 

We're easing into 2026 with a few stories spotlighting local startups. Digital health company Atalan secured a partnership with an Ohio-based health system to create a tool focused on patient experience. 

 

Plus, check out my colleague Holly Quinn's latest post that explains how local startups are actually using AI beyond the hype. 

 

— Sarah Huffman, lead reporter in Philadelphia

PHLGaming2025

Image of the Day: Councilmember Isaiah Thomas hosted the second annual PHL Gaming conference at Localhost Philly at the end of December  (Courtesy Office of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas)
Have a photo or chart we should feature here? Hit reply and send in your submission.

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As the country’s longest running and most established ecosystem storyteller, Technical.ly is read by an engaged community no one else has. Whether you're looking for in-market awareness or to reach innovation stakeholders outside your region, we are your secret weapon. Work with us to share your message directly with your target audience.

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Atalan to launch patient experience tool

 

Philly-based digital health startup Atalan secured a partnership with Accrete Health Partners, the venture arm of Bon Secours Mercy Health in Ohio, to build a tool using both clinician and patient experience data. 

 

The new product will build on Atalan's existing platform, which uses information from electronic health records and HR systems to suggest workplace improvements for healthcare providers. The overall goal is to keep clinicians from quitting their jobs, CEO and founder Tiffany Chan told Technical.ly. Continue reading ... 

Bon Secours Mercy Health

How Philly startups are using AI beyond the hype

 

Companies across the Philly region are opting to focus on steady growth, rather than flashy AI trends, even as they work to create real-world impact with their products.

 

Conversations with companies throughout 2025 revealed that local startups are more likely to scale slowly and prioritize purposeful growth. 

 

That trend is taking shape thanks to moves like using AI to ease operations, working with institutional partners and taking advantage of increased regulation and compliance. Continue reading ... 

r2d2-philly-1536x1024

Technical.ly Partner Updates

A group of people wearing green football jerseys sit and stand in a restaurant, watching something together, with drinks and food on the tables.

Grow Philly: 14 food and beverage small businesses in Philadelphia

Learn more about these companies serving up gourmet hot dogs, homemade pies, Texas-style BBQ and more.

For startup leaders:

Accenture helps companies change and grow quickly using technology, data, AI and new ways of working.

For entrepreneurs and innovators:

Connect with 1Philadelphia and help build a tech community where everyone can thrive.

For jobseekers:

Explore careers at Certara: "This is one of those rare moments when science and software can reshape how we discover and develop medicine."

💵 Funding check-in

 Relevant SEC filings from the past week

  • Ritten, $24M, [Digital Health]

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

Stories from our newsroom and around the web  

  • 'AI' will not take all the jobs, Wharton engineer says [Technical.ly]

  • Meet the woman who's tracking data centers in Pennsylvania [Technical.ly]

  • See the US regions getting the most angel funding — and where it fuels local growth  [Technical.ly]

  • Why this is Greater Philadelphia's precision medicine moment  [Technical.ly] 

  • How Pennsylvanians really feel about AI data centers, according to a new survey [The Inquirer 🔒]

  • South Jersey's Impulse Dynamics raises $158M in largest local life sciences deal of 2025 [Philly Biz Journal 🔒]

  • Philadelphia's Carisma Therapeutics winds down operations [Philly Biz Journal 🔒]

On the Calendar

Want to see your event here? Reply and let me know 

 

🎤 Partner event: Philly Founder Pitch Competition, Jan. 16, 3:00 p.m., FREE

 

🏠 Partner event: Jumpstart Kensington Real Estate Meetup, Jan. 21, 6:00 p.m., FREE

 

🌃 Project Coworking Night: Civic Tech Edition, Jan. 7, 6:00 p.m., FREE

 

💻 Off-Grid Comms: Exploring Meshtastic and LoRa networks, Jan., 7, 6:00 p.m., FREE

 

☕ The OG Code&Coffee meetup, Jan. 10, 1:00 p.m., FREE

💼 Job market: Find your place

Technical.ly reporter in Louisiana at Technical.ly

About us Technical.ly, the country’s largest and longest-running news organization focused on state and local technology and startup ecosystems, is hiring a full-time reporter based in Louisiana. Our...Find out more »

Data QA Engineer, Analytics at Clerri

At Clerri, we’re a team of builders, believers, and bold thinkers driven by one mission: to remove the barriers between patients and providers through memberships that improve access to care and help...Find out more »

Senior Data Scientist at Perpay

About the Role: As a Senior Data Scientist at Perpay, you will be a critical player in the day-to-day success of the business, supporting new and existing product initiatives through strong...Find out more »

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