Student startups: Attend upcoming virtual info session on Inc.U Pitch Competition

Penn State undergraduate student startup teams from across Pennsylvania are invited to attend a virtual info session on December 9 at 7 pm to learn more about participating in the Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition. 

The Inc.U Competition awards cash prizes to winning student startups: $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third. 

The virtual info session will cover the application and selection process as well as eligibility criteria. Students interested in attending should register here. 

Inc.U finalist teams will receive support designed to help their startups gain traction, including access to business mentors, professionally produced marketing videos, and showcase opportunities. Winners will be announced during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC in March. 

In the spring 2024 Inc.U Competition, student startup Shamba Share was one of the winning startups. Shamba Share founders Sam Marshall, Jaiden Asch, and Veer Gowda aim to increase access to agricultural equipment for Kenyan smallholder farmers, helping them avoid downtime and improve returns. 

“Winning the Inc.U funding allowed us to accomplish so much more than we imagined. It gave us the means to visit more farmers, travel to different regions, and learn how we could best support their needs,” said Marshall. “Being able to try starting a company in college with minimal risk and see if your idea works is so worthwhile. And there’s no place better to do it than with Inc.U, with the resources, the judges, and the chance to win.” 

Applications for the 2025 Inc.U Competition will open on January 8 and close on January 19, 2025. The pitch competition will be held on Saturday, March 22. 

About the Inc.U Competition  

Inc.U is a signature program of Invent Penn State and an annual showcase of student innovation across the commonwealth. Every spring, the Inc.U Competition awards up to $30,000 in funding to the top six student startup teams at the culminating pitch event that takes place during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC. This funding, coupled with ongoing pitch training and startup support services, enables student entrepreneurs to take the next step in turning their daydream into a reality.  

This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development.