Helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger The HVVC Team. Photo: Provided. Happy Valley Venture Capital (HVVC) describes Penn State’s entrepreneurial landscape as a “crowded forest, with tall educational programs and flourishing support initiatives.” The organization finds its purpose in paving the paths through that forest. Since its inception in 2017, HVVC has been bringing students together to foster […]
Who will earn the next $10,000 TechCelerator prize?
Many local startups have gotten a jumpstart in Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator program. Currently, eight local entrepreneurial teams are in the process of completing the 10-week, business startup boot camp and preparing to pitch for a $10,000 prize. The group represents an exciting mix of emerging products and services including: industrial robotics, smart home platforms, data […]
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 […]
The finalists in Ben Franklin’s Agriculture, Food & Beverage BIG IDEA Contest have been announced
Ben Franklin Technology Partner’s BIG IDEA Contest recently offered agriculture and food & beverage entrepreneurs, innovators and companies in Ben Franklin’s 32-county footprint the chance to pitch to win up to $25,000 in seed funding. This cash prize is designed to support every aspect of turning a business idea into a business reality. “This is […]
The first step to bringing your new business vision to life
By Beverly Molnar Photo: Provided. Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is now accepting applications for its Idea TestLab, a four-week program beginning in October to help would-be entrepreneurs and business owners take the first step toward making their ideas a reality. “The first step is to determine whether you have identified a problem […]
Entrepreneurship in the arts: beloved local children’s theater program changing hands
By David Rockower Leah Mueller and Jared Yarnall-Schane bring a wealth of experience to the local musical theater training group, Singing Onstage (Credit: Phelipe Paraense) After moving from State College to Bloomington, Indiana, Leah Mueller and husband Jared Yarnall-Schane were just settling in when they received a call from Heidi and Rich Biever, owners of […]
TechKnowServ: The intersection of technology, knowledge and service
By Beverly Molnar Matthew Whiteman, one of the lead NDT instructors at TKS, teaches a training course for ultrasonic phased array inspection certification. State College-based TechKnowServ is a global leader in nondestructive testing that provides R&D for industries like railroad, petrochemical, defense and aerospace. It got its start when Tom Hay received his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from […]
Setting student entrepreneurs up for success
By Gatini Tinsley Students gather at one of the many Penn State entrepreneurship workshops to compete for a chance to make their business dreams a reality. (Credit: Penn State) In 2021, nearly 4 million undergraduates walked across the stage with their undergraduate degrees in hand in the United States. Some dreamed of becoming trailblazers, striving […]
Take a seat in Ben Franklin’s startup boot camp, and you could take home $10,000
By Staff Writer Registration is open for this fall’s TechCelerator@StateCollege — a virtual, 10-week business startup bootcamp that helps entrepreneurs expand their network, engage with other successful entrepreneurs, discuss their business model with experts and develop a pitch that could win up to $10,000. The weekly ZOOM sessions will be on Tuesdays, Sept. 13–Nov. 29, […]
