$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 […]
Tolstoy, tech and why Happy Valley is the #1 place for startups today
Five questions with Ben Franklin’s John Sider For the last 8 years, John Sider has been an innovation matchmaker, pairing growing companies with capital to get them to the next level (he also led Ben Franklin’s effort in creating the $11 million venture capital fund 1855 Capital based in State College). This spring, he’s […]
5 questions with a Happy Valley CEO: Juan Mario Gomez with Xact Metal
Sometimes in business, it’s all about how the stars align. Xact Metal’s CEO Juan Mario Gomez spent decades working as an executive with GE before leaving to pursue a more entrepreneurial environment. A seemingly kismet meeting started what’s now a fast-growing company. After leaving GE, Gomez connected with Invent Penn State and the Happy Valley […]
Not just a number: Navengage helps every student find their voice
In 2021, total enrollment in Penn State University was more than 88,000. Imagine being one voice in that large crowd and trying to find your way. At institutions large and small, it’s all too easy for students to feel as though they’re just another number, despite the college or university’s best efforts. But what if […]
Nittany Laser’s Tech Solves Defense and Energy’s Biggest (and Tiniest) Problems
What makes Nittany Laser Technologies stand out from its competitors? The fact that there are no competitors — not on this continent, anyway. Drew Nissly’s Philipsburg-based laser welding and cladding company is one of just a handful like it anywhere, and they are solving problems in industries around the world. The company flies under the […]
Zoom Training on Building Your Brand to Attract Penn State Talent
Building Your Brand and Recruiting Penn State TalentJanuary 12, 202211:00 am – 12:00 pmRegister HEREThere is a fierce competition for talent!Learn how to win the war for talent? Attend this one hour Zoom training to learn some valuable information to help your company effectively recruit Penn State talent. At this session you will: • Understand […]
Ben Franklin Giving Happy Valley Innovators a Boost with $50k Grand Prize
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. “If you are developing or crafting a product, process or innovation related to the maker economy, outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing or technology, you need to apply for […]
From “Right Place, Right Time” to 2,000+ Customers Worldwide
Happy Valley innovation and ingenuity is a driving force in this Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ success story, but timing played an equally important role in the rise of SoftGenetics. “It was kind of kismet,” chuckles co-founder John Fosnacht. “My partner Dr. Jonathan Liu and myself had just sold a weld sequencer to a leading cancer […]
