It’s no secret that Happy Valley is overflowing with entrepreneurial resources. If you’re just starting out — or maybe a long-time business owner who needs a little help — how do you know which resources are best for you?
Here’s a quick guide to the area’s most influential and impactful business resources, including who does what, the services they offer, at what stage they get involved and how you can benefit when they do.
Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success. Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and university/community/industry collaborations to facilitate the challenging process of turning research discoveries into valuable products and services that can benefit Pennsylvanians and humankind.
Services offered
Invent Penn State programs support early-stage entrepreneurs to help de-risk and accelerate a startup idea. Whether that’s Penn State students, student-athletes, faculty, staff, researchers or Pennsylvania community members with no affiliation to Penn State; Invent Penn State has a program or event to support any entrepreneurs’ needs.
You can learn more about these programs, events and resources at invent.psu.edu.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Early-stage — Entrepreneurs at any stage, with or without a business, can reach out and participate in Invent Penn State programs. Even if you have an idea and aren’t sure if it’s viable, Invent Penn State’s programs, events and resources can help you build a pathway to success.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
Access to a large ecosystem of entrepreneurial support. The organization likes to say Invent Penn State owns, influences and amplifies all things entrepreneurship and innovation-related at Penn State and within Penn State’s campus communities.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (Ben Franklin CNP) is an organization dedicated to fostering innovation and economic growth in Pennsylvania by providing funding, business and technical expertise, and resources to startups and established companies. BFTP helps companies develop innovative products, improve their processes and bring new technologies to market, thereby creating high-paying jobs and stimulating the regional economy.
Services offered
Ben Franklin offers a comprehensive range of services to support area entrepreneurs, including essential funding opportunities for startups and established companies, expert business mentoring, and technical expertise to enhance products and processes. Networking opportunities connect entrepreneurs with valuable industry professionals and resources. Additionally, Ben Franklin hosts annual Big Idea Contests where entrepreneurs can showcase their innovative ideas and compete for funding.
The organization’s TechCelerator Startup Bootcamps provide intensive programs designed to accelerate early-stage companies through mentorship and training. Ben Franklin also offers free educational webinars through the Ben Franklin Learning Center, featuring industry experts who provide valuable insights and knowledge.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Entrepreneurs should connect at any stage of their journey. Whether they are just beginning with an idea, in the early stages of developing their business, or already operating and seeking to grow, Ben Franklin’s resources and support are designed to help them succeed. Additionally, Ben Franklin supports established manufacturing companies looking to innovate, expand and enhance their operations.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
Entrepreneurs can expect to gain critical funding, expert advice, and valuable connections that can propel their businesses forward. They will have access to tailored support that addresses their specific needs, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Additionally, they will become part of a community that fosters collaboration, innovation and shared success.
Centre Region Entrepreneur Network (CREN)
CREN: The Centre Region Entrepreneurial Network (CREN) is a vibrant support ecosystem for entrepreneurs, fostering meaningful connections, inspiring discussions and a social environment that prioritizes mutual support. CREN unites a diverse group of entrepreneurs and enthusiasts from various industries, facilitating learning and collaboration to improve businesses and make a positive community impact. Led by Todd Erdley, CREN emphasizes genuine connections and shared growth over sales networking, creating a nurturing environment for entrepreneurial success.
Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is an entrepreneurial connecting point that provides all businesses, regardless of industry or stage, a place to network, learn and find resources. Accelerator programs focus on startups and early-stage ideas with the tools, resources and support they need to launch and succeed. Happy Valley LaunchBox offers a range of services, including coworking spaces, expert mentoring, no-cost legal services, prototyping and fabrication facilities through OriginLabs, entrepreneurship education, and access to specialized programs designed to accelerate business growth. The organization’s mission is to de-risk the startup journey and empower entrepreneurs along their path to success.
Services offered
The primary services offered include accelerator programs, no-cost coworking space, 1-on-1 mentoring, entrepreneurship education, no-cost legal services and rapid prototyping and fabrication space.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Entrepreneurs can connect at any stage of their journey. Whether they are in the ideation phase, developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or looking to scale their business by adding a new service or product line, Happy Valley LaunchBox offers support to help entrepreneurs de-risk ideas and test the market before launching.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
Entrepreneurs working with Happy Valley LaunchBox can expect to gain strategic guidance, resource access, accelerated growth, community and networking opportunities.
WiNGs is an organization dedicated to creating a supportive network for women entrepreneurs and small business owners. The primary goal is to enhance the professional, personal, and marketing abilities of its members through workshops, collaborations, and resources. Wings is open to all women business owners regardless of industry and also offers a mentorship program for those aspiring to start their own businesses. The group fosters a sense of community, encourages personal growth, and facilitates business success through regular meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County (CBICC)
The Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County (CBICC) is unique in the fact that it is a traditional Chamber of Commerce, and the economic development organization for Centre County. For the chamber side, it provides business promotions, informational workshops and networking events and, on the economic development side, there’s a revolving loan fund that can provide loans to startups and small businesses. The CBICC can also help businesses navigate through any type of permitting processes with the local jurisdictions. It is the front door or guide for businesses navigating Centre County.
Services offered
The primary service is connecting businesses with the right resources so that they can grow. Services also include networking opportunities for businesses, and promoting new or hiring businesses. The CBICC also helps with hiring assistance, technical and business assistance, whether that be funding the workforce, navigating municipal or county government, business connections or site selection.
Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC)
The Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC) is in charge of helping advance the manufacturing community, working only with manufacturers to help them improve productivity, efficiencies and quality. They helped manufacturers make technological investments and people investments, and helped companies improve their operations.
Services offered
They often work with the executive level in manufacturing companies to help with what their clients are most interested in: growth. They offer reasonable rates and have a vested interest in Central Pennsylvania’s manufacturing success. With their effective process management, they can help transform your manufacturing process.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
All stages. If people are looking for more resources, IMC helps individuals to connect to the ones that will supplement their growth. IMC’s goal is to offer assistance in three core areas: innovation, business growth and continuous improvement.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
Growth. IMC focuses on how to make its clients more profitable and produce more efficiently. Over 630 local manufacturers have worked with IMC on over 3,000 projects.
Bellefonte SpringBoard is a hub for business innovation and collaboration, dedicated to assisting local entrepreneurs and individuals eager to transform their passions and ideas into reality. SpringBoard’s mission is to connect individuals with the appropriate resources, regardless of their current stage in the entrepreneurial journey.
Services offered
Bellefonte SpringBoard offers coworking memberships and day passes for remote workers and entrepreneurs, a space to host meetings, workshops and trainings. The organization also works to connect entrepreneurs to the right resources and people to support them on their business journey, whether they are opening a brick-and-mortar or online business. It ranges from helping connect them to consultants who can help them write business or marketing plans, getting them face-to-face with attorneys, insurance agents, etc., or guiding them through application and permit processes.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
At any stage! The types of support entrepreneurs need varies depending on the type of business they are pursuing, and Bellefonte SpringBoard is able to support them and connect them to the right resources and people at any stage, from someone with an inkling of a business idea to someone ready to open a brick-and-mortar in downtown Bellefonte.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
When you collaborate with Bellefonte SpringBoard, you receive essential mentorship, customized guidance and access to a robust network of professionals, along with resources and support designed to expand with you as you grow.
College Township Industrial Development Authority (CTIDA)
The CTIDA fosters economic growth and development in Centre County by providing financial
support opportunities to businesses who seek to overcome obstacles that will lead to increased
and sustainable job retention and creation.
Services offered
The primary service at the CTIDA is providing financial support through loans, lines or credit, and guarantees, as well as assisting with acquisition of grant funding. These financial resources can help entrepreneurs with startup costs, expansion and other capital needs.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Entrepreneurs can certainly connect at any stage, though financial support programs are most beneficial to established businesses or those startups able to provide solid business documents such as a business plan and financial projections. In addition, CTIDA hopes to create an ecosystem for entrepreneurs that helps small businesses start here, grow here and stay here in Centre County, and to do so the organization strives to establish connections from inception through exit.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
While funding is the primary service, entrepreneurs gain the benefits of having a support system that includes years of collective business experience among the CTIDA board members and the collaborative network of economic development allies working with the CTIDA to create a vibrant, navigable and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
SEDA-Council of Government (SEDA-COG)
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.
Services offered
Four business services programs offer a wide range of resources that entrepreneurs in Centre County can utilize to accelerate their business growth. The SEDA-COG Economic Development program reinvigorates communities with grant partnerships and connects businesses with regional partners. Then, for export assistance, SEDA-COG staff can assist businesses with every aspect of exporting, including international market research, product compliance, export licensing, documentation, shipping and more. Thirdly, entrepreneurs and businesses in Centre County can start or expand with low-interest loans from the SEDA-COG Business Finance Department. Lastly, APEX Accelerator is a national program with 97 centers located throughout the United States that is funded by the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). SEDA-COG serves as the service provider in 18 counties, including Centre County. The program assists small and large businesses in obtaining federal, state, and local government contracts.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Entrepreneurs can connect at any stage in their journey to help propel their business forward by finding and connecting with the right resources at the right time.
1855 Capital is a seed and early-stage venture capital fund investing in companies with an affinity to Penn State University. 1855 Capital develops investment opportunities by actively engaging with current faculty/staff and students involved in world-class research efforts and the 600,000+ alumni network.
Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership (MVEDP)
The MVEDP is a private, non-profit economic development and chamber of commerce organization formed in 1988 in response to the collapse of the coal-driven economy.
Services offered
The MVEDP meets with entrepreneurs to find out what type of business they were hoping to establish, providing them with an Entrepreneur Resource Kit and pointing them in the right direction to receive additional assistance.
The MVEDP has the tools to assist entrepreneurs with land and building space. Since 1990, there have been 26 people from the Happy Valley region that have established their businesses in the Philipsburg/Moshannon Valley area. Why did they consider the area? Because it had the ready-to-go sites, building space and available workforce. Low-cost building space has been especially a key reason why folks in Happy Valley have established businesses there, in the Moshannon Valley Enterprise Center and Moshannon Valley Regional Business Center. The MVEC has been to home to over 75 businesses since 1988.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
The MVEDP always does its best to assist entrepreneurs and existing business owners and is committed to the improvement of the economy and overall quality of life in the area. The staff is dedicated to economic development work and the entrepreneur will receive undivided attention and will be pointed in the right direction. Entrepreneurs can meet with the MVEDP staff at any stage in their business development, but it is usually best if they meet with them during the early phase.
The Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free business consulting for Centre, Mifflin, Lycoming and Clinton Counties. Whether you already own a business or are planning to start one, its seminars and free, confidential 1-on-1 consultations can help entrepreneurs achieve their goals.
Services offered
The Penn State SBDC provides free, confidential consulting services to individuals looking to start or grow a small business. In addition, the SBDC offers a full roster of specialized educational programs covering many business topics.
At what stage in the startup or business process do entrepreneurs need to reach out?
Any stage! From helping aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses, to helping small firms grow, to providing the information that every businessperson needs to make critical decisions, the SBDC is the resource that entrepreneurs in all industry sectors at any stage can turn to for help — help that can make the difference between success and failure.
What can entrepreneurs expect to gain?
Education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses.
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