Success Story

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    Jim Hoehn, Regional President of PNC Bank, with Penn State President Eric Barron, unveiled the new ‘Happy Valley Launchbox-Powered by PNC Bank’ logo during an event held at the Happy Valley Launchbox headquarters in downtown State College on Jan. 22. The event celebrated PNC Bank’s commitment of a $1 million dollar grant to support the Invent Penn State initiative.
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    Penn State graduate Elizabeth McCulloch, creator of Project Vive, spoke at an event celebrating a $1 million dollar grant from PNC Bank to support entrepreneurship at the Happy Valley Lanchbox on the afternoon of Jan. 22. McCulloch discussed the importance of funding for start-up companies and the strong mentorship that the Invent Penn State project provided her and her business plan .
  • Jim Hoehn, Regional President of PNC Bank of Central Pennsylvania, discussed the $1 million dollar grant from PNC to support Happy Valley Launchbox. To recognize PNC’s support, the downtown State College center will be renamed “Happy Valley Launchbox, Powered by PNC Bank”.

“PNC Bank is engaging with the Invent Penn State initiative to drive economic development in Happy Valley. We have already begun working with startups at Happy Valley LaunchBox, and look forward to seeing the impact our relationship will have in the future.”

Jim Hoehn
PNC Regional President of Central Pennsylvania

PNC Bank commits $1 million to power Happy Valley LaunchBox

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —Happy Valley LaunchBox has received a $1 million grant from PNC bank enabling the innovation hub to continue providing early-stage startups with support and resources to build  sustainable, scalable businesses and develop viable plans for growth.

To recognize PNC’s support, the downtown State College innovation hub will be renamed “Happy Valley LaunchBox, Powered by PNC Bank.”

“Penn State is deeply grateful for PNC’s leadership in supporting Happy Valley LaunchBox. We believe that our innovation hubs are key to driving economic development in Pennsylvania and contributions from alumni, friends and corporate partners like PNC will ensure that our innovation hubs can serve Pennsylvania’s communities for years to come,” said Penn State President Eric Barron.

The grant forges a unique relationship between PNC and Happy Valley LaunchBox. PNC executives will participate in entrepreneurial programming such as the hub’s speaker series and mentorship program.

“PNC Bank is engaging with the Invent Penn State initiative to drive economic development in Happy Valley,” said Jim Hoehn, PNC regional president of Central Pennsylvania. “We have already begun working with startups at Happy Valley LaunchBox, and look forward to seeing the impact our relationship will have in the future.”

PNC’s commitment to Penn State’s mission spans more than a half-century. Penn State Children’s Hospital, the Schreyer Honors College, the Smeal College of Business, and the College of Information Sciences and Technology are just a few of the areas that have received leadership-level support from PNC. The University recognized PNC as its Corporate Partner of the Year in 2007. With PNC’s recent commitment to Happy Valley LaunchBox the company’s total philanthropic support for the University now exceeds $9.4 million.