Penn State’s Farrell Center helps students on the path to business success
By Eric Erickson Farrell Center participants discuss entrepreneurship with director Dr. Shawn Clark. Photo: Provided. When students enter business school, they often find the experience entails mostly classroom-based theory and little hands-on experience. Penn State University’s Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship has made it a mission to change this dynamic. The Farrell Center […]
Win up to $30,000 for your food or beverage innovation
Ben Franklin’s Food & Beverage TechCelerator is offering a 10-week virtual Business Boot Camp for entrepreneurs and startup companies developing scalable, innovative and technology-focused products and services in the food and beverage industry. The deadline to apply is Dec. 12. It’s big news for two reasons. “Ben Franklin Technology Partners, CNP has been providing the […]
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 […]
