Try Customer Discovery 101
Interested in starting your own business? Get started with our free, online Customer Discovery 101 program today and unlock the potential of your business idea! LEARN MORE
Get Started with Invent Penn State
Undergraduates
Explore entrepreneurship, launch a startup, or grow your leadership skills. Whether you’re just getting started or already building something, we’ll help you take the next step.
Penn State Innovators
Translate your research into real-world impact. Whether you’re filing your first disclosure or ready to launch a startup, we’ll help you protect, fund, and scale your innovation.
Local Startups
Connect with a statewide network of innovation spaces, expert support, and other local founders. From workshops to workspace, we’re here to help your business grow.
Industry Partners
Tap into Penn State’s talent, research, and technology to solve problems, spark innovation, and build strong communities—together.
Investors
Discover what’s next. Engage with promising startups, emerging technologies, and research-backed ventures shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s innovation economy.
Serial Entrepreneurs
Bring your experience to the table—and let us help you launch your next venture. Whether mentoring, investing, or starting again, there’s a place for you in our ecosystem.
Programs
The Brand AcademySupporting student-athletes to leverage their personal brand for entrepreneurial success and endorsement opportunities
Inc.U Competition
Finalist Pitch Event & How You’ll Be Judged Undergraduate pitch competition where student startups compete for $30,000 in investment dollars for their companies
LaunchBox & Innovation Network
No-cost coworking space, accelerator programs, and business and legal advice for entrepreneurs
NSF I-Corps
I-Corps provides real-world, hands-on training on how to successfully incorporate innovations into successful products.
Penn State Alumni Entrepreneurs Network
Empowering the entrepreneurial spirit among Penn State alumni.
Startup Leadership Network
Matching Penn State tech startups with seasoned executives who can accelerate their market entry
Summer Founders Program
Penn State teams can win $15,000 to work on their startup, social good, or nonprofit idea for the summer
Supporting economic development at every level.
Events
Global Entrepreneurship WeekCultivates town and gown relationships by celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit across Commonwealth campus communities.
Startup Week
Bringing together Penn State student and alumni entrepreneurs for a celebration of inspiration and ingenuity
Venture & IP Conference
A two-day curated showcase of capital seeking startups and emerging Penn State technologies
Events Calendar
Latest events from Invent Penn State
Tools
Resource NavigatorA searchable inventory of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem resources around our 23 innovation spaces across Pennsylvania
Intellectual Property Navigator
A searchable showcase of Penn State’s top emerging technologies available for licensing
Startup Navigator
A searchable showcase of Penn State legacy companies and ecosystem startups
Online resources for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and industry.
View the Invent Penn State Economic Development Playbook
Latest News from Invent Penn State
April 06
2026
Join the ‘Dare to Disrupt’ podcast for its 50th Episode live with Asia Grant
https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/4_3_2000w/public/2026/04/50th-ep-live-ps-cms-size-1200x900-correct.png?h=6eb229a4&itok=qvyz1m9n
Invent Penn State’s Dare to Disrupt podcast will celebrate its 50th episode with a live episode recording featuring Penn State alumna, creative entrepreneur, content creator and professional perfumer Asia Grant on Thursday, April 9, at Struthers Auditorium in the Smeal Business Building.
March 30
2026
AI workshop highlights real-world tools for small businesses
https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/4_3_2000w/public/2026/03/brad_zdenek_psulv_ai_for_business_1.jpg?h=f8ad93bb&itok=mS0Q-AO2
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, students and community members gathered at Penn State Lehigh Valley on March 27 for a hands-on workshop exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen business strategy, improve decision-making and expand capacity for small teams.
March 30
2026
Student startups win funding in Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition
More News
https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/4_3_2000w/public/2026/03/incu-ps-cms-size-1200x900-correct.png?h=e591232c&itok=C0oJvvTL
As a kickoff to Penn State Startup Week, six student teams pitched their startups to a panel of judges, competing for prizes totaling $35,500 in funding in the 2026 Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition. SlammedU, a startup founded by Smeal College of Business student Niklas Restrepo, won first place and $15,000.
Events
Events Calendar
View All
NOV
18
November 18-24, 2024
GEW Penn State, managed by the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), celebrates relationships between members of the University and local entrepreneurial communities. Attend virtual presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities geared specifically to entrepreneurs, local startups, innovators, and anyone interested in thinking outside the box.
Learn More
Additional Success Stories
Innovation Spaces Across the Commonwealth
Sign up for the monthly Invent Penn State newsletter