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 […]
Strong Happy Valley roots set the stage for Big Spring Spirits expansion
By Caryn Anderson Big Spring Spirits location offers stunning views of Talleyrand Park and nearby access to the Big Spring. Photo Courtesy: Big Spring Spirits Happy Valley’s Big Spring Spirits just started construction on an exciting new endeavor: a 55,000-square-foot project at the former Joseph C. Finch Distillery in Pittsburgh that’s projected to open in […]
Join Ben Franklin’s virtual pitch event on June 14 to pick the People’s Choice Winner
Eight entrepreneurial startups are graduating from Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator @State College, and will be competing in a pitch contest for seed money to help launch their companies. On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM, the teams will pitch their business concepts to a panel of independent judges for a cash prize of up to […]
Help choose the Big Idea winner on June 9
By Chara Fitch Credit: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Six companies are competing in the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Big Idea contest, and the winner will walk away with $50,000 in vital startup capital. Get a front row seat to the June 9 event and you can help choose the People’s Choice winner. Ben Franklin Technology […]
“I want to help people”: Tech Tournament winner pioneers groundbreaking cancer treatment
By Cara Aungst Illuminate Therapeutics won $75,000 in the Penn State’s Tech Tournament for its disruptive technology to battle head and neck tumors. (Pictured, Nick Alden, graduate student in biomedical engineering, accepting the award from James Pietropaolo, associate director of the Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization.) Credit: Invent Penn State / Rick Brandt On April 29, […]
