News

Latest News from Invent Penn State

August 24 2023

Student founders grow their startups through Summer Founders Program

Invent Penn State’s Summer Founders Program, which provides each student team with a $15,000 grant to work on their startup, social good or nonprofit idea over the summer at Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, concluded with a final startup showcase on Aug. 9.

August 15 2023

No-cost, virtual short course helps researchers test startup ideas

Penn State’s NSF I-Corps Short Course is now accepting applications for its Sept. 29–Oct. 13 cohort. The no-cost virtual program helps researchers test a startup idea through customer discovery and lean startup methodology. Apply by Sept. 15. 

August 14 2023

Businesses grow through Penn State Wilkes-Barre LaunchBox program

Idea TestLab, a program sponsored by the Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton and Lehigh Valley LaunchBoxes, has contributed to the success of two growing small businesses. An opportunity for members of the community to explore the viability of their business ideas, the program is starting a new, virtual session in the fall at no cost.

August 10 2023

Berks LaunchBox announces Summer 2023 Pitch Competition winners

The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State recently announced the pitch winners of its Summer 2023 Pitch Competition: Bapanada took first place, 4G Nutrition took second, and Aquamate and Mindful Roots tied for third place. Total prizes awarded totaled $1,200 in seed funding.

August 08 2023

Penn State York student entrepreneur creates all-inclusive dating app

Penn State York business major Mary Richardson did not plan on creating a dating app, she said. However, she was determined to create something that would be “label-free” and provide a service to all audiences — especially those who might not feel represented on other dating apps — and moved ahead with the help of York Launchbox powered by Penn State and other resources.

August 08 2023

Fintech entrepreneur Doug Wilber on new episode of Dare to Disrupt podcast

In the latest episode of Invent Penn State’s “Dare to Disrupt” podcast, host Ryan Newman interviews Denim Social CEO Doug Wilber.

August 04 2023

NCPA LaunchBox celebrates a year full of activities, education and progress

Over the past year, the NCPA LaunchBox and its Idea Lab, which offers students, faculty, staff and the community the opportunity to utilize 3D printers, virtual and augmented reality, commercial vinyl printing and more, have seen many changes and have been part of numerous events to help educate the community that they serve.

July 31 2023

Graduate researchers aim to focus battery research with help of short course

Domenic Contrino and Gabrielle Giampietro have only just begun their graduate research at Penn State as environmental engineering master’s students — but they have already jumped right in to finding real-world problems their research could solve by connecting with members of industry through the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps Short Course program.

July 31 2023

Happy Valley LaunchBox offers no-cost program to help startups de-risk

Applications for the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank Fall 2023 FastTrack Accelerator program are open with a deadline set for midnight, Sept. 4.

Sign up for the monthly Invent Penn State newsletter