“Geeking out” on the lifestyle of entrepreneurship
By Beverly Molnar Photo Provided. Penn State recently appointed Elizabeth Hay the Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank. In this role, Hay will help student, community and faculty/staff startup founders to de-risk and grow their businesses. She’ll run accelerator programs, provide advice on turning ideas into businesses and teach […]
Big Idea Contest winners get $50,000
Two entrepreneurs split a $50,000 prize at the Ben Franklin BIG IDEA Contest that was held on June 9 at the North Central PA Launchbox in DuBois. Jeffrey Billett from Billett Electric LLC from Jefferson County, and Esperanzo Wilcox from PA Mushroom Company from Clarion County each received a $25,000 cash prize to help them […]
Strong Happy Valley roots set the stage for Big Spring Spirits expansion
By Caryn Anderson Big Spring Spirits location offers stunning views of Talleyrand Park and nearby access to the Big Spring. Photo Courtesy: Big Spring Spirits Happy Valley’s Big Spring Spirits just started construction on an exciting new endeavor: a 55,000-square-foot project at the former Joseph C. Finch Distillery in Pittsburgh that’s projected to open in […]
Join Ben Franklin’s virtual pitch event on June 14 to pick the People’s Choice Winner
Eight entrepreneurial startups are graduating from Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator @State College, and will be competing in a pitch contest for seed money to help launch their companies. On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM, the teams will pitch their business concepts to a panel of independent judges for a cash prize of up to […]
Help choose the Big Idea winner on June 9
By Chara Fitch Credit: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Six companies are competing in the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Big Idea contest, and the winner will walk away with $50,000 in vital startup capital. Get a front row seat to the June 9 event and you can help choose the People’s Choice winner. Ben Franklin Technology […]
“I want to help people”: Tech Tournament winner pioneers groundbreaking cancer treatment
By Cara Aungst Illuminate Therapeutics won $75,000 in the Penn State’s Tech Tournament for its disruptive technology to battle head and neck tumors. (Pictured, Nick Alden, graduate student in biomedical engineering, accepting the award from James Pietropaolo, associate director of the Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization.) Credit: Invent Penn State / Rick Brandt On April 29, […]
More Entrepreneurs Betting Big on Bellefonte
In this week’s episode of “Everybody Loves Bellefonte,” more big things are happening. Last week, an ownership group led by Duane Reese, former President of AgIntegrated, purchased the former PA National Guard Armory for $950,000 with plans to develop a brewery, distillery, restaurant and bar at the location on Zion Road. Plans also include an […]
“Penn State took a shot on me” Venture & IP Conference spotlights success stories and disruptive tech
By Cara Aungst Venture & IP Conference moderator Ryan Newman (right) talks with Penn State alumni Ash Ashutosh, Global Director of Solution Sales at Google (left) and Mo Bhende, CEO and cofounder of karat (center, via Zoom), during the Penn State Unicorn Panel on Friday. PHOTO: Invent Penn State / Rick Brandt On April 28-29, the 2022 Venture & […]
What’s a pain in your a**? JT Marino’s answer was worth $250M
Invent Penn State’s James Delattre (left) speaks with Tuft & Needle founder JT Marino (right) at 2022 Penn State Startup Week. PHOTO: Invent Penn State/Rick Brandt In 2012, JT Marino was part of a startup that was floundering and pivoting. He was only three years out of Penn State, but that was enough time to […]
