1855 Capital: Attracting Investor Funding and Creating Transformation in Happy Valley
As Bruce Springsteen sings in his 1984 hit Dancing in the Dark, “you can’t start a fire without a spark.” And for HappyValley entrepreneurs and startups, State College-based 1855 Capital has been that spark to attract investors and raise much-needed capital in the competitive venture landscape. The 1855 Capital Fund is a $12 million seed and early-stage venture capital […]
Centre Region Entrepreneur Network (CREN): Fostering a spirit of community, innovation and collaboration
“Silicon Valley is more of a spirit than a place,” says Todd Erdley, the founder, chairman and president of Videon. “And that spirit is based on entrepreneurs coming together, sharing best practices, enabling great outcomes, spurring one another on and fostering a sense of community.” Erdley started the Centre Region Entrepreneur Network (CREN) about 10 years ago […]
Strong Ecosystem Contributes to Innovation for Thriving Tech Companies and Startups
The Penn State SBDC, part of the federally-funded nationwide network of SBDCs, has provided resources and services to businesses for almost 25 years, says director Tim Keohane — and many of those businesses have gone on to make big impacts on their industries. As of September 2020, SBDC is serving 650 clients and assisting with […]
Happy Valley LaunchBox offers no-cost resources to entrepreneurs
Almost two years ago, Krista Schneider had an idea for a new business: up-cycling spent grain from the beer brewing process into pre-seeded, biodegradable “garden squares” ready for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. To test the viability of her business model, she took advantage of programs offered by the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC […]
Calling Happy Valley Entrepreneurs: You Could Win Up to $50,000 for Your Startup
Have a great idea? It could be worth BIG bucks. Ben Franklin Technology Partners is currently accepting applications for its BIG IDEA competition, an event that’s awarded nearly $2 million to entrepreneurs and small businesses to date. The contest is open to aspiring tech innovators, small manufacturers and budding entrepreneurs interested in developing their products, […]
New Leaf Initiative: Collaboration, Community, Connection and Co-Working
When you walk in, you feel as though you’ve just been transported. The space is open, colorful and filled with light from tall windows, recycled barn wood and green leafy plants. Desks — some with monitors and computers — tables and seating areas are scattered throughout the space. In 2008, childhood friends Spud Marshall and Eric Sauder graduated together […]
Out of Retirement, Into the Incubator: How TechCelerator Director Bob Dornich is Shaping the Entrepreneurs of the Future
Image: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Having a strong support system is necessary for the success of any entrepreneur, particularly when they’re just starting out. Here in Happy Valley, one of the strongest supporters of budding entrepreneurs is Ben Franklin Technology Partners, one of the longest-running technology-based economic development programs in the country. Since 1983, Ben […]
Providing a Little Extra Push to Happy Valley Businesses
Every good business has a story about their beginnings – and what helped them get over that proverbial hump. Bellefonte SpringBoard has been exactly that – the little extra push, the additional resources and technical assistance for entrepreneurs throughout Happy Valley. The Bellefonte SpringBoard Initiative was created in 2016 as a coworking space and business […]
Disrupting Health Care to Improve & Save Lives
Image: Penn State, Barry Fell and Dr. Randy Haluck, Department of Surgery Penn State doesn’t just nurture entrepreneurs; it provides concrete opportunities for those with promising, disruptive, early-stage technologies and innovations to compete as the best and brightest in their fields. In 2021, Invent Penn State’s annual Tech Tournament went virtual to showcase eight different […]
