Undergraduates
Five student startups win funding in Inc.U Competition
“The funding will help us complete product development and cover some patent and legal fees. Even though it was a competition, everyone was very welcoming, supportive, and eager to share advice – it truly felt like a community.”
Erin Godfrey
Founder
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.
Coursework & Training
Choose from entrepreneurship majors, minors, and electives available across colleges. Join student groups, attend workshops, pitch competitions, and real-world events that sharpen entrepreneurial thinking.
Mentorship & Teams
Connect with faculty mentors, peer teams, or join innovation-focused student cohorts. Programs such as LaunchBox cohorts offer structured guidance and collaboration opportunities.
Grants, Fellowships & Competitions
Access equity-free funding through programs like Summer Founders—offering $15,000 to Penn State student teams—and customer‑discovery grants via NSF I-Corps.
Spaces to Create
Use state‑wide innovation spaces like LaunchBox and the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, offering coworking space, rapid prototyping facilities, and supportive communities
Real-World Opportunities
Gain hands-on experience through startups, internships, student ventures, pitch events (e.g. Inc.U, Venture & IP Conference), and network‑building chances across the Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Coursework & Training
Choose from entrepreneurship majors, minors, and electives available across colleges. Join student groups, attend workshops, pitch competitions, and real-world events that sharpen entrepreneurial thinking.
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Mentorship & Teams
Connect with faculty mentors, peer teams, or join innovation-focused student cohorts. Programs such as LaunchBox cohorts offer structured guidance and collaboration opportunities.
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Grants, Fellowships & Competitions
Access equity-free funding through programs like Summer Founders—offering $15,000 to Penn State student teams—and customer‑discovery grants via NSF I-Corps.
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Spaces to Create
Use state‑wide innovation spaces like LaunchBox and the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, offering coworking space, rapid prototyping facilities, and supportive communities
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Real-World Opportunities
Gain hands-on experience through startups, internships, student ventures, pitch events (e.g. Inc.U, Venture & IP Conference), and network‑building chances across the Penn State entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Featured Resources
There are many classes, events, programs and departments that help undergraduates discover the entrepreneurial career path. Visit the full catalog of resources below.
Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank
State CollegeAn innovation space for community entrepreneurs with free "hot desk" space and free legal, IP and business advice. Offers a business accelerator program with coworking space for Happy Valley entrepreneur teams with a scalable business concept
An innovation space for community entrepreneurs with free "hot desk" space and free legal, IP…
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Summer Founders Program
University ParkAn Invent Penn State program that offers a $15,000 equity-free grant to startups with at least one Penn State student founder, enabling them to work on their startup, social good, or nonprofit idea over the summer
An Invent Penn State program that offers a $15,000 equity-free grant to startups with at…
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Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ENTI) Minor
State CollegeENTI enables Penn State students with almost any major to get a minor in entrepreneurship
ENTI enables Penn State students with almost any major to get a minor in entrepreneurship
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Why Invent Penn State?
Our initiative is a statewide force driving economic growth, innovation, and career success—integrating classroom learning with labs, programs, mentorship, and launch programs across 23 innovation spaces in the Commonwealth. We empower students to turn ideas into impact.
Contact Invent Penn State