Success Stories
Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank accepted eight new early-stage startup businesses into its FastTrack Accelerator program this fall. The business ideas range from a biodegradable seed solution for preventing weeds, to a job search management platform, to a rehabilitation consultation service. The FastTrack call for applications drew 32…
Read More
Five entrepreneurial State College teams just completed a ten-week virtual startup boot camp as part of Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator @ State College. On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, starting at 2 pm, the teams will pitch their tech-based business concepts to a panel of independent judges for a cash prize of…
Read More
There are over 200,000 influenza infection-related hospitalizations, and as many as 49,000 deaths, in the U.S. annually. Those hospitalizations and deaths are often a result of the immune system’s overreactive response to the respiratory virus, known as a cytokine storm. To solve this problem, Penn State startup Respana Therapeutics is…
Read More
What began in 2013 as a simple golf course conversation about watch preferences between two Penn State students, R.T. Custer and Tyler Wolfe, has grown into the nationally recognized high-end wristwatch engineering and manufacturing company, Vortic Watch Company. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Vortic pairs classic watchmaking techniques and traditions…
Read More
In its 12th year, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Penn State featured 58 total virtual events for startups and small businesses. “This is the first time GEW Penn State was hosted in a completely virtual capacity, and the format allowed for a greater number of event partnerships and made events accessible…
Read More
Construction and a capital campaign are underway for Invent Penn State’s newest Innovation Hub in downtown State College. Located on South Burrowes Street on the former site of the James Building, the six-story, state-of-the-art, multi-use center will serve as the cornerstone of Penn State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Key to fulfilling Invent…
Read More
Vitable Health recently announced $1.6 million in funding that will help them achieve their vision of bridging the gaps in today's healthcare. CEO Joseph Kitonga is a Happy Valley LaunchBox FastTrack Accelerator grad and received funding both from the Ben Franklin TechCelerator and the Inc.U Competition at Penn State as an undergraduate…
Read More
According to its most recent survey of activity and outcomes, Invent Penn State’s LaunchBox and Innovation Hub Network is having a significant impact on entrepreneurial communities across Pennsylvania. The 21-hub network provides Penn State communities no-cost coworking space, makerspace, accelerator programs, pitch competitions, speaker series, access to experts and mentors, and legal and IP advice through Penn State Law…
Read More
Community entrepreneurs and Penn State student innovators are invited to explore their potential by virtually connecting with collaborators, mentors and leaders during Global Entrepreneurship Week Penn State, presented by the Penn State Small Business Development Center, Nov. 16-20, with additional events throughout the month. Global Entrepreneurship Week is a weeklong international initiative…
Read More