Six student startups, $15k each and 13 weeks of focus
By Cara Aungst Six Penn State student startups each received a $15,000 grant and participated in Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank programming this summer as part of the 2022 Summer Founders Program. Credit: Penn State. This summer, six Penn State student startups participated in a 13-week accelerator in a bid to jumpstart their […]
The finalists in Ben Franklin’s Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest have been announced
Ben Franklin Technology Partner’s BIG IDEA Contest recently offered agriculture and food & beverage entrepreneurs, innovators and companies in Ben Franklin’s 32-county footprint the chance to pitch to win up to $25,000 in seed funding. This cash prize is designed to support every aspect of turning a business idea into a business reality. “This is […]
The first step to bringing your new business vision to life
By Beverly Molnar Photo: Provided. Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is now accepting applications for its Idea TestLab, a four-week program beginning in October to help would-be entrepreneurs and business owners take the first step toward making their ideas a reality. “The first step is to determine whether you have identified a problem […]
Entrepreneurship in the arts: beloved local children’s theater program changing hands
By David Rockower Leah Mueller and Jared Yarnall-Schane bring a wealth of experience to the local musical theater training group, Singing Onstage (Credit: Phelipe Paraense) After moving from State College to Bloomington, Indiana, Leah Mueller and husband Jared Yarnall-Schane were just settling in when they received a call from Heidi and Rich Biever, owners of […]
TechKnowServ: The intersection of technology, knowledge and service
By Beverly Molnar Matthew Whiteman, one of the lead NDT instructors at TKS, teaches a training course for ultrasonic phased array inspection certification. State College-based TechKnowServ is a global leader in nondestructive testing that provides R&D for industries like railroad, petrochemical, defense and aerospace. It got its start when Tom Hay received his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from […]
Setting student entrepreneurs up for success
By Gatini Tinsley Students gather at one of the many Penn State entrepreneurship workshops to compete for a chance to make their business dreams a reality. (Credit: Penn State) In 2021, nearly 4 million undergraduates walked across the stage with their undergraduate degrees in hand in the United States. Some dreamed of becoming trailblazers, striving […]
Take a seat in Ben Franklin’s startup boot camp, and you could take home $10,000
By Staff Writer Registration is open for this fall’s TechCelerator@StateCollege — a virtual, 10-week business startup bootcamp that helps entrepreneurs expand their network, engage with other successful entrepreneurs, discuss their business model with experts and develop a pitch that could win up to $10,000. The weekly ZOOM sessions will be on Tuesdays, Sept. 13–Nov. 29, […]
Grow your ag idea with Ben Franklin’s Big Idea contest
By Staff Writer Do you have a startup concept revolving around agriculture, food or beverages? Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ BIG IDEA contests have awarded over $2 million in cash prizes to startups in central and northern Pennsylvania, and the newest BIG IDEA contest is focused on innovators who are developing new products or processes in […]
“A brilliant intersection of local and international”
By Beverly Molnar Photo provided by Pine Grove Hall Finding the right words to describe Pine Grove Hall can be a challenge. Even the proprietor, Liz Grove, pauses to gather her thoughts before forging ahead. “We’re a destination,” she said. “We’re a live music venue for the academic community, but not just students. We’re a […]
