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, […]
Grow your ag idea with Ben Franklin’s Big Idea contest
By Staff Writer Do you have a startup concept revolving around agriculture, food or beverages? Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ BIG IDEA contests have awarded over $2 million in cash prizes to startups in central and northern Pennsylvania, and the newest BIG IDEA contest is focused on innovators who are developing new products or processes in […]
“A brilliant intersection of local and international”
By Beverly Molnar Photo provided by Pine Grove Hall Finding the right words to describe Pine Grove Hall can be a challenge. Even the proprietor, Liz Grove, pauses to gather her thoughts before forging ahead. “We’re a destination,” she said. “We’re a live music venue for the academic community, but not just students. We’re a […]
“Geeking out” on the lifestyle of entrepreneurship
By Beverly Molnar Photo Provided. Penn State recently appointed Elizabeth Hay the Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank. In this role, Hay will help student, community and faculty/staff startup founders to de-risk and grow their businesses. She’ll run accelerator programs, provide advice on turning ideas into businesses and teach […]
Big Idea Contest winners get $50,000
Two entrepreneurs split a $50,000 prize at the Ben Franklin BIG IDEA Contest that was held on June 9 at the North Central PA Launchbox in DuBois. Jeffrey Billett from Billett Electric LLC from Jefferson County, and Esperanzo Wilcox from PA Mushroom Company from Clarion County each received a $25,000 cash prize to help them […]
