Want to be your own boss?

Lots of people are thinking about it. If you're one of them, we're here to help you turn your idea into a viable business.

Ready to turn your idea into a business?

Let us help

E-Ship Crash Course

Learn business basics.

The E-ship CrashCourse is a 1-hour interactive session that breaks down the steps you need to take to become your own boss and gives you access to resources to get you started on your journey.

Get help with your idea.

The 4-week Idea TestLab helps you figure out if you can turn your idea into a viable business. Work with coaches to better define the problem, a target market, and how you will provide value.

Launch your startup.

The 10-week FastTrack Accelerator helps you test the market quickly and build a solution to meet defined customer needs.

NEW Fall Speaker Series - Check it out!

This 3-part speaker series features experts and experienced entrepreneurs sharing tips, tools, and processes to provide actionable advice that helps entrepreneurs and student-athletes avoid common mistakes and overcome challenges. All speaker events are FREE and open to the public. Lunch is provided for as long as it lasts. This Fall Speaker Series is presented in partnership with Penn State Athletics.
Key Dates:
  • Foreplay Social: A Founder's chat on building a dating app
Feb 14th, 2023
LEARN MORE

Want $15,000 to grow your startup over the summer?

The Summer Founders Program gives startups with at least one Penn State student founder a $15,000 grant to work on their startup, social good, or nonprofit idea over the summer.
Key Dates:
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
February 15, 2023
March 1, 2023
  • Applications due
March 9, 2023
Learn More

Open Space to Work and Study

Whether you seek independent work, collaboration with your team, or connections with like-minded individuals, our three free convenient spaces are provided to support you. Open work stations, conference rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, and complimentary coffee (thanks to sheetz) are available.

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Get no-cost legal advice.

The Penn State Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic provides a variety of free legal services to startups looking to start a company in Pennsylvania.

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Get no-cost intellectual property advice.

The Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic provides entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania free assistance to determine if they have intellectual property and how to protect it.

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Visit us in the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub!

Where entrepreneurs hang out:

  • Coworking 8:00AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday
  • Business coaching
  • Events & Workshops

Open to the public. All services at no cost.

Find at 123 S. Burrowes Street, 2nd floor.

150
startups graduated from programs
$20M+
in funding/awards to founders completing our programs
29
new jobs created
8000+
cups of coffee consumed

news & events

Fall 2022: Speaker & Networking Series

October 13, 2022

Learn from experts (and we provide lunch).  The Happy Valley LaunchBox Fall Speaker Series has begun! Our Fall Speaker Series includes 3 great topics with experts who will provide you with actionable advice on various matters (see details below). Our...
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Workshop: Talking to customer to de-risk your business

November 1, 2021

Learn how to talk to customers to de-risk your idea or business. Customer discovery is a tool used in lean business planning to help businesses figure out the right products/services to offer. Ones that customers actually want, and will pay...
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Get tips, join workshops, hear from successful business owners at GEW in Nov

November 1, 2021

Want to learn more about starting and running a business? Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a worldwide celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. At Penn State, we have one of the largest celebrations provding tons of virtual presentations, workshops, and networking...
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Tools for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Industry

Our Navigators are built with you in mind. See what Penn State has to offer.

Resource Navigator

The Resource Navigator showcases entrepreneurship and innovation resources in Penn State University communities across Pennsylvania.

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IP Navigator

The Intellectual Property Navigator is a showcase of Penn State University’s intellectual property available for licensing.

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Startup Navigator

The Startup Navigator is a showcase of startups with Penn State DNA.

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