First day of Startup Week to kick off a week of interactive events and activities

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Now in its seventh year, Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC will feature uniquely themed days with entrepreneurial speakers, interactive events and late-night activities throughout the week. The first day of Startup Week, Monday, March 20, will be themed as the Startup Week Overall Kickoff Day, with the following highlights:

Kickoff Day featured events 

Rolling Lion food truck on campus, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m.: The Rolling Lion food truck will be serving free loaded nachos and beverages courtesy of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC. The truck will be parked behind Carnegie Building across from Willard Building on the University Park campus.

Making a Product Is Hard: A Story in Frozen Food, 1–2 p.m.: Join entrepreneur-in-residence Ross Perkins as he shares his entrepreneurial journey of scaling Mason Dixie Foods from a one-biscuit-at-a-time pop-up to one of the quickest-growing consumer packaged goods companies in the nation.

Fourplay Social: Figuring out what you’re doing when you have no idea what you’re doing, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: Join Penn State alumnae and co-founders of Fourplay Social Julie Griggs, class of 2014, and Danielle Dietzek, class of 2013, as they share their unexpected journey from healthcare providers to dating-app co-founders. They will shed light on what the founder journey is like when having no connections or work experience within the industry, from navigating a co-founder relationship and raising first funds to building a social network.

Featured pitch competition

Happy Valley Venture Capital Pitch Competition, 6–8:30 p.m.: Watch startup teams pitch their ideas for a chance to win over $25,000 in non-equity prizes.

After-hours event

Pegula Ice Arena Free Ice Skating, 9:15 p.m.–12:15 a.m.: Join 2023 Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC for an after-hours networking and social event at Pegula Ice Arena! Ice skate rentals and skating are free for all registered participants of Startup Week.

In addition, the Brazilian Munchies food truck will be parked at the back of the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. each day of Startup Week.

Be sure to view the full Startup Week schedule and register ahead of time for events.

About Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC

An integral part of the broader Invent Penn State initiative, Startup Week powered by PNC is a University-wide event that connects students with innovative alumni and pioneers who are achieving success in a variety of industries and disciplines. Throughout the week, students discover, explore, experience and celebrate entrepreneurship.

For more information on Startup Week, including a full schedule of events, visit the Startup Week website. Participants can engage with and follow Startup Week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.