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 […]
How Penn State’s materials research discoveries are impacting society
By Cara Aungst Materials Day 2022, the annual marquee event for materials-related interdisciplinary science and engineering at Penn State, will be held Oct. 20-21, 2022, at Penn State’s HUB and Millennium Science Complex. The event will be held in-person this year after being held virtually for the past two years. This year’s theme is “Materials […]
How choosing a Happy Valley HQ over “centers of industry” made the difference for Shaner Corp
By Cara Aungst Shaner Corp CEO Lance Shaner credits the company’s core values of rewarding success and operating with integrity for its 400% growth over the past three years. Photo: Provided. Thirty years ago, Lance Shaner and his brother Fred were looking for a new home for their progressive hospitality business. They explored Atlanta, Durham, […]
Kish Bank and the human side of innovation
By Cara Aungst Kish Bank is one of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing community bank franchises. Photo: Provided. There are some banks that are very good at pioneering new technology and some that excel in high-touch personal service. But finding them both in one place — and from a bank launched and firmly planted right here in […]
Pennsylvania’s first-ever carbon capture project will have major local, statewide impacts
By Cara Aungst KeyState’s nearly $1 billion project will play a role in Pennsylvania becoming a ‘hydrogen superpower’ over the next 30 years, and Penn State is helping lead the way. KeyState is in the second phase of engineering Pennsylvania’s first carbon capture and storage project, to be built in Clinton County. The gas synthesis […]
A master class in collaboration
By Cara Aungst After success with the NASA 3D-printed Mars Habitat challenge, several researchers formed X-Hab 3D, an expeditionary 3D printing company. There’s an unassuming building on a through-street of CATO Park. It was once a North American Refractories Company (NARCO) building and, if you’ve ever driven past it — chances are that you […]
Videon pioneers monthly mental health day
By Cara Aungst Videon’s monthly mental health days give employees time to explore the outdoors, visit family and friends and take time for themselves. PHOTO: Centre Daily Times. Mental Health. Burnout. These are not just terms. These are real problems faced by many. Those were the opening lines of a recent LinkedIn post from Videon’s […]
“More like a natural ankle:” Happy Valley-born prosthetics poised to change future after limb loss
By Cara Aungst Impulse Technology’s biomimetic ankle closely mimics natural movement, making walking less painful and more accessible over rough terrain. PHOTO: Impulse Technology More than 50% of people with lower limb amputation have short and long-term pain associated with their prosthesis. Innovation Park-based company Impulse Technology aims to solve that — literal — pain […]
Badminton, the arts and the best alumni in the world
By Cara Aungst This feature is part of a series about what makes Happy Valley such a popular destination for retirees. We interviewed individuals and couples about what drew them to the area and about the ways they contribute time, experience, leadership and business knowledge to the community. Hear how today’s retirees are bringing resources […]
