SpotLESS Materials experiences growth selling super slippery coating technology

Penn State-affiliated startup spotLESS Materials, which sells its super slippery coating technology as an assistive cleaning product, has raised more than $1.3 million of total venture capital funding to date, including $900,000 in a seed round that closed on Dec. 23, 2021. The company got its start with the help of Penn State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Paint Ninjas make their mark on the Innovation Hub building

When a business starts growing rapidly, sometimes the biggest need is just a space to conduct business from. For Penn State alumni-founded Paint Ninjas Inc., Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank was that space.

Students can receive $15,000 to work on their startup this summer

Applications are now open for the Invent Penn State Summer Founders program, which provides a $15,000 grant to entrepreneurial teams with at least one Penn State student to work full time on their startup, social good or nonprofit over the summer. Applications are due Feb. 13.

Students can win up to $30,000 to fund their businesses

Students can apply to win up to $30,000 in funding for their company in the Inc.U Competition. Open to Penn State undergraduates, the Inc.U Competition will culminate in “The Investment,” a WPSU Shark Tank-like television production that will be livestreamed during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC.

Prospective entrepreneurs invited to apply for Brandywine Idea TestLab

MEDIA, Pa. — Have a great idea for a business but aren’t sure how to get started? The Brandywine LaunchBox, powered by Penn State, is offering a program that will help answer your questions and develop your ideas.

The Idea TestLab is a six-week business accelerator program for early-stage entrepreneurs who want to explore their scalable idea or address a customer problem for a potential business. The Idea TestLab is a “customer discovery” deep-dive designed to help you better understand the customer problem you are trying to solve and how to provide value in a differentiated way.

The program will be held via Zoom on Tuesday evenings, 6-8 p.m., from Feb. 15 through March 29 (no session on March 8). A private funder is offering full scholarships for all selected participants. Aspiring entrepreneurs are required to attend all class sessions in order to participate in the final pitch session event.

“We are excited to offer this valuable program to entrepreneurs in our region,” said Margaret Bacheler, senior director of statewide continuing education and workforce development for Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses. “The Idea TestLab program is designed to help teams evaluate the viability of their business ideas by coaching them through a proven method of customer discovery and problem analysis. The program will help participants learn how to test the assumptions behind their business ideas.”

Application open for Penn State Shenango's annual idea pitch challenge

Penn State Shenango’s VenturePointe business incubator, the eCenter @ LindenPointe, and Penn Northwest Development Corporation are now accepting applications for the annual “Shark Tank”-style “What’s Your Big Idea?” Challenge on April 7, in conjunction with Penn State Startup Week.

Accelerator Rap Challenge to creatively address diversity in entrepreneurship

The Accelerator Rap Challenge, hosted by The Cape at Penn State, is challenging university students around the United States to create short, educational, animated music videos. A total of $3,500 in prizes is available, and winning entries also will be featured in a film festival hosted by the Penn State Arts and Design Research Incubator in spring 2022.

$50,000 BIG Idea Contest accepting applications for business ideas in PA Wilds

The North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois has once again joined with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, and other economic development leaders to bring the BIG Idea Contest to the region. The winning contestant could take home $50,000 to use in further developing a business idea.

TechCelerator at State College awards over $10K in prizes to entrepreneurs

A first-place prize of $7,500 was awarded to local startup Marqo in the Ben Franklin Technology Partners TechCelerator @ State College virtual pitch event, where six entrepreneurial teams pitched their business concepts for more than $10,000 in prizes at the end of 2021.