News
April 25
2022
Tuft & Needle co-founder JT Marino featured on 'Dare to Disrupt' podcast
In the sixth episode of Invent Penn State’s “Dare to Disrupt” podcast, host Ryan Newman interviews JT Marino, who studied math and computer science at Penn State. Marino describes how he and his co-founder determined all the pain points of buying a mattress to create their customer-first, mattress-in-a-box solution called Tuft & Needle, which they grew to more than $250 million in sales.
April 22
2022
Venture & IP Conference to showcase Penn State research innovations
The Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference, one of the largest tech startup conferences in the Mid-Atlantic, will take place April 28-29 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. The conference will highlight innovations from high-growth and emerging markets, showcase disruptive technologies and early-stage companies born from Penn State research, and feature two special keynote events.
April 22
2022
Students explored innovation, entrepreneurship during Startup Week
Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC, which took place from April 4-8, inspired students across the commonwealth with a wide array of events showcasing and celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship, from expert panels and keynote speakers to workshops and networking opportunities.
April 21
2022
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox creates $145,000 endowment for long-term sustainability
Eight Advisory Board members from Lehigh Valley LaunchBox powered by Penn State have created a $145,000 endowment to sustain the business accelerator’s long-term efforts. The board members contributed $72,500 to the fund, which was matched by Penn State.
April 21
2022
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox creates $135,000 endowment for long-term sustainability
Seven Advisory Board members from Lehigh Valley LaunchBox powered by Penn State have created a $135,000 endowment to sustain the business accelerator’s long-term efforts. The board members contributed $67,500 to the fund, which was matched by Penn State.
April 15
2022
Winners honored at Startup Week powered by PNC student competition
Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC culminated with a celebration of student innovation and entrepreneurship at the Student Recognition and Networking Reception, which took place on April 7 at the Penn State Innovation Hub.
April 15
2022
Two Penn State student startups win $15,000 each in Inc.U Competition
CarToCamp and MarRosa’s Old World Cuisine each won $15,000 in funding, splitting the $30,000 overall prize, in the 2022 Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition. Both Penn State student startups were among six finalist student teams that competed in “The Investment,” a “Shark Tank”-like WPSU production and culminating event of the competition that livestreamed on April 9 as part of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC.
April 15
2022
Elizabeth Hay appointed Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox
Elizabeth Hay, a former business consultant at the Penn State Small Business Development Center, was recently appointed the Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, effective March 28.
April 14
2022
Penn State Berks student wins first prize at 2022 Mont Alto LaunchBox LION Tank
Penn State Berks student Nathan Bonslaver won first-place during the 2022 LION Tank pitch competition for his startup CarToCamp, which manufactures custom sleeping platforms for vehicles to enhance the car-camping experience.
Sign up for the monthly Invent Penn State newsletter