Success Stories

The Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program, a 13-week student startup accelerator, concluded with a Startup Showcase on Aug. 10, where each team presented their startup and answered questions from the audience comprised of members from the local entrepreneurial community. The Summer Founders Program provided selected teams a $15,000 grant…
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Penn State alumnus-founded startup Phospholutions, a leader in sustainable fertilizer technology, recently announced additional investment from leading global agricultural companies totaling $5.3M. This funding will support the commercialization of their RhizoSorb technology in the US row crop market. This new investment series includes investment from Ospraie Ag Sciences (OAS), Bunge…
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Last fall, Kelsey Lauer’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ENTI) class was challenged to make $500 in profit by the end of the semester. Lauer ended up surpassing that goal when she launched her unique candle business, Clove and Sprig. “All my friends and family members use candles, and I love candles…
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This fall, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank will offer two no-cost startup accelerator programs, which provide community and Penn State entrepreneurs with resources and guidance to help turn their business ideas into scalable businesses. FastTrack Accelerator is accepting applications now until Sept. 1. Idea TestLab applications will open…
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Control LTD won the $10,000 first-place prize in the Ben Franklin Technology Partners TechCelerator @ State College virtual pitch event, where eight entrepreneurial teams pitched their business concepts for more than $10,000 in prizes this past spring. Teams showcased products and services which spanned health care, agriculture, and creative markets…
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When Mel McDaniel began her career as an interior designer in 2006, she quickly realized how many homeowners are constantly trying to get rid of or donate their old furniture. She never wanted her clients’ lightly used furniture to go to waste, so McDaniel would haul things like couches, chairs,…
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People with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes often experience suppressed wound healing. This means that for 25% of diabetics who get a foot ulcer, an open sore that’s usually located on the bottom of the foot, the wound tends to worsen, making it exceedingly difficult to treat. Penn…
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Open to the community as well as Penn State faculty, staff and students, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is now accepting applications for its four-week Virtual Idea TestLab, which is designed to help teams evaluate the viability of their business ideas by coaching them through a proven method…
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WPSU-TV will televise “The Investment,” the final round of the Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition, at 9 p.m. on May 16 and again at 6 p.m. on May 21. During “The Investment,” six Penn State student startups compete for up to $30,000 in funding that will help advance their companies.…
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