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In the News
FastTrack Accelerator helps community entrepreneur build collaboration app
State College community member John Stogin went to Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank in search of connections to people who could help advance a virtual collaboration app he created called Scratchwork. Through his participation in the Happy Valley LaunchBox FastTrack Accelerator, Stogin was able to focus on the business development side of his venture.
Five startups graduate from 2019-20 FastTrack Accelerator
Five new startups launched by community and student entrepreneurs graduated from Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank’s FastTrack Accelerator. The startup ideas spanned concepts including a battery-charging laptop case, a better way to prevent tick bites, and an application called Scratchwork that allows users to turn paper drawings into digital workspaces.
Summer Founders program showcases record number of teams
Invent Penn State’s 2020 Summer Founders program, a 13-week student startup accelerator, wrapped up Aug. 12 in a virtual showcase after funding seven student-startup teams with $15,000 each to work on their startup, nonprofit, or social good full time over the summer. The program also matched teams with resources and entrepreneurial experts who provided mentorship.
LoanCrunch app helps students manage loan debt
Students in the United States owe upwards of $1.6 trillion in student debt and that number is growing every day. Trying to navigate post-college life is challenging enough. Toss in the increasing costs of living with the skyrocketing debt and trying to achieve the American dream can seem daunting. That’s why Penn State students Michael Miller and Jack Quinn are developing LoanCrunch, an app helping students through the loan repayment process.
Entrepreneurial vision leads Jon Westlake Down intrapreneurial path
For Jonathan Westlake entrepreneurship is in his DNA – his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all entrepreneurs. Naturally, Westlake expected to take the same path, and was looking for the right inspiration and problem to solve in order to continue the family tradition.
2020 Summer Founders Program draws record number of teams & increases amount
A record number of student startups from across Penn State campuses are getting ready for the 2020 Summer Founders program, a 13-week entrepreneurial bootcamp offering mentoring, networking, resources and $15,000 in funding to teams of Penn State student entrepreneurs from all campus locations and the World Campus.
Student startup taps Invent Penn State resources, pivots to find new product
CastPak was one of eight student startups invited to present their concept in the Student Startup Showcase at the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference last October. AThe student companies were selected for their winning participation in Inc.U and/or the Summer Founders program.
Invent Penn State Innovation Hub Network pivots to offer digital resources
Across Pennsylvania, the Invent Penn State innovation hub network has pivoted to deliver needed programming and services online, by providing online mentoring, webinars, virtual speaker series, and a Virtual Idea TestLab.
Webinar: Leveraging resources to support small business resiliency
The Penn State Small Business Development Center will host a free, 90-minute webinar on April 22 for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking recommendations on the path forward in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Events
Info session for FastTrack Accelerator
Sep. 09, 2020
What actually happens during the FastTrack program? Great question. We work with you weekly on a key set of startup milestones to help you de-risk and accelerate your venture. We open up our ...
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Test your idea at the virtual Idea TestLab
Sep. 01, 2020
Adapting is key. While our world is in semi-isolation, business owners and entrepreneurs are still coming up with ideas for new businesses or ideas for adapting their current businesses. Same with ...
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May is for pivots (and actionable advice).
May. 01, 2020
Get recommendations from experts in 25 minutes. No doubt if you’re a business owner, you’re having to figure out how to re-think your business. Whether it’s how best to adapt the ...
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