With so many entrepreneurial resources in Happy Valley, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. If you’re considering exploring the various services offered by the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, though, you’ve come to the right place.
We recently spoke with the organization for a brief resources roundup published in the latest issue of Catalyst, but here’s a more in-depth overview of how the team there helps area entrepreneurs every day — straight from the source.
How would you best sum up what HappyValley LaunchBox does?
Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is an entrepreneurial connecting point that provides all businesses, regardless of industry or stage, a place to network, learn, and find resources. Our accelerator programs focus on startups and early-stage ideas with the tools, resources, and support they need to launch and succeed. We offer a range of services, including coworking spaces, expert mentoring, no-cost legal services, prototyping and fabrication facilities, entrepreneurship education, and access to specialized programs designed to accelerate business growth. Our mission is to de-risk the startup journey and empower entrepreneurs along their path to success.
What is the primary service(s) that you offer to area entrepreneurs?
The primary services we offer include:
- Accelerator programs: Structured programs that guide startups from all industries through key stages of development, from ideation to market entry, using lean startup methodologies. These programs are open to the Happy Valley community and the university population. The benefits of accelerated learning allow us to de-risk new ideas quickly, create a cohort of like-minded individuals, and provide the connections and resources businesses need to launch at the right time when market demand is strong.
- No-cost coworking space: We offer a collaborative workspace where people from all fields can work and connect with others. We create an environment reminiscent of Google’s open workspace, providing tools to enhance productivity and private conference rooms when needed with technology for remote calls. Our favorite part about our coworking space is fostering community through group meals such as free breakfasts and lunches that allow all our coworkers to take a break and connect.
- 1-on-1 mentoring: Our team of entrepreneurs and our diverse network of industry experts allow us to help businesses navigate challenges and refine their strategies using real-world experience.
- Entrepreneurship Education: We specialize in teaching the basics of how to find an idea worth pursuing, how to test an idea for market readiness, what to build that a customer is willing to pay for, the basics of building a sustainable business model, and how to launch. Through our monthly E-ship CrashCourse, university-wide workshops for students, and community events, our staff stays current on the latest lean startup tools and techniques, which we share through expertly curated workshops, training sessions, and speaker series.
- No–Cost Legal Services: Our free legal services aid Pennsylvania startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses through two clinics: the Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic and the Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic. These clinics provide comprehensive legal support, from business formation and contractual work to intellectual property strategy, for clients who would not otherwise have access to legal counsel. The services are aimed at helping those who cannot afford to retain outside counsel, ensuring that high-quality legal advice is available to support early-stage businesses across the Commonwealth.
- Rapid Prototyping and Fabrication Space: OriginLabs encompasses 7,000 square feet across three floors in the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub and allows users to design, prototype and test potential solutions for their startups or ideas. The facilities give users access to a breadth of materials and methodologies for production, with dedicated lab spaces including benchworking, woodworking, metalworking, surfacing, welding, digital fabrication, and additive manufacturing.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to connect with you?
Entrepreneurs can connect with us at any stage of their journey. Whether they are in the ideation phase, developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), or looking to scale their business by adding a new service or product line, Happy Valley LaunchBox offers support to help entrepreneurs de-risk ideas and test the market before launching. Our programs are designed to help entrepreneurs validate their assumptions, iterate on their products or services, and take steps toward initial market entry. After that we help the businesses find resources, mentors, and tools, to continue to maintain and grow their business.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain from working with you?
Entrepreneurs working with Happy Valley LaunchBox can expect to gain:
- Strategic guidance: Access to experienced mentors who provide actionable insights and feedback.
- Resource access: Use of coworking spaces, prototyping facilities via OriginLabs, and legal professional clinics at no cost. Access to small amounts of funding to test the market and reduce some of the burden associated with building businesses. And perks, such as an entrepreneurship intern through the engineering entrepreneurship program, discounts or software, and connections to 100+ industry experts through our adviser program.
- Accelerated growth: Participation in programs that emphasize rapid iteration, customer discovery, market testing, marketing support, business model validation, and go-to-market strategy.
- Community and networking: Opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs, industry experts, and resource providers in Happy Valley. It is our focus to foster collaboration and growth.
Learn more at https://happyvalley.launchbox.psu.edu/.
