Happy Valley startup presents ag breakthrough and wins BIG time
Ben Franklin Technology Partners recently announced the winners of its 2022 BIG IDEA contest. The 2022 contest focused specifically on agriculture, food and beverage industries. Eight finalists from across Pennsylvania had the opportunity to present their pitches to a panel of judges and one of those BIG IDEAs is based right here in Happy Valley. […]
“Striving to be a lightning rod” in region underserved by capital resources
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger Matt and Edan Rhodes. Photo: Provided. Matt Rhodes, managing director of Happy Valley’s 1855 Capital, has been deeply involved in the tech world over the years. The businessman graduated from Penn State in 1979 with a degree in physics, before earning a master’s in electrical engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA […]
Happy Valley’s secret weapon for small business startups spurs another opening in Titan Park
By Holly Riddle It’s no secret that Titan Park is bringing new vibrance to Bellefonte. The reclaimed industrial site has become — just over the last several years — home to a brewery, multiple restaurants, cidery, farmers market and even a crypto mine. The latest business to join the fold? Fez Records, which opened in October […]
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 […]
