Steller Floors: The curious case of the growing company that didn’t want to sell
By Cara Aungst Photo credit: Steller Floors What happens when an idea turns into an actual product and that product goes super-viral on YouTube? And then — in the middle of COVID — that product defies all odds and hits $1M in sales after only 24 months in existence? It depends. In many instances, this […]
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 […]
Penn Stater’s clean energy vision has raised $14 million for startup Xeal
After finding his north star through a class assignment, Nikhil Bharadwaj found his focus and turned his idea into a clean energy giant Xeal. Photo: Xeal. The ENGR 310 class on Entrepreneurial Leadership is filled with engineering students, people who by nature are prone to ask WHERE, WHAT and HOW. So Professor Greg Woodman takes […]
Startup Week’s pitch competition showcases Penn State solution to pain points
Table Rock Markets won first place in the competition. Photo: Rick Brandt. In a recent interview with HappyValleyIndustry, Tuft & Needle founder (and Penn State alumnus) JT Marino said that when searching for an idea for a startup, start with what has been a pain in your own life. “You are your first customer. If […]
From ‘major flop’ to market breakthrough
Technical gear company SLCKR is creating solutions for the barbershop culture When he was growing up, Tyler Tracy’s mom always cut his hair. But when he was 17, he stepped into a barbershop for the first time. “I was enamored,” he said. It wasn’t just the cut — the high fade and clean lines — […]
Dial in to Penn State Startup Week
This week, Penn State Startup Week will be inviting students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship and connect with industry leaders. It’s also an opportunity for businesses to connect with talent, discover emerging innovation and network with other changemakers. Here’s how you can tap into the events going on from April 4-8. Yes, Startup Week is […]
Unique career fair matches talent with Happy Valley’s thriving startups
Do you want to find qualified candidates, connect with Happy Valley’s strong entrepreneurial network or build your brand with talent-seeking, like-minded companies? Then you don’t want to miss the Small Business and Startup Career Fair happening during Penn State’s Startup Week. You can register your company to find talent. The cost is only $50 per booth. The event […]
$50,000 prize could turn the next Big Idea into reality
This spring, Ben Franklin Technology Partners is looking for innovators with big ideas in Happy Valley, Clarion, Clearfield, and Jefferson Counties — and the winner takes home $50,000. “The Big Idea contest is a great way for entrepreneurs to get involved with Happy Valley’s entrepreneur ecosystem,” says Annie Hughes, who is the project’s organizer as […]
Spring events flex Happy Valley’s networking and innovation muscle
Venture & IP Conference — April 28-29 What it is: The Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference is one of the largest tech startup conferences in the Mid-Atlantic. The conference highlights innovations from high growth and emerging markets including IT, energy, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, health care, B2B and B2C among others. With more than […]
