news & events

Student startup teams from all Penn State campuses, including World Campus, are invited to apply to the 2024 Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program to receive a $15,000 grant to work on their startup, social good venture, or nonprofit over the summer. Applications are open from now until March 8. The 13-week program, hosted by Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, accelerates student startups by providing funding, mentorship and one-on-one coaching. Founders commit to work full-time, 40 hours per week, on their ventures for the program's duration. Key program dates: Feb. 5 - Applications Open Feb. 21 - Virtual Info Session Mar....

Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank has accepted nine early-stage business startups into its spring 2024 FastTrack Accelerator program. The startups range from a clothing swapping app and an electric vehicle (EV) charging solution, to a custom button business, a nanny agency and an artificial intelligence driven career guidance platform. The accelerator program received applications from Penn State students, faculty and staff, and the local community. “This semester, we are happy to welcome a diverse group of exceptionally talented and driven entrepreneurs. The range of teams in this cohort is particularly exciting, encompassing physical products and service-based businesses, as well as advanced...

Entrepreneurial teams with at least one Penn State student can apply to receive a $15,000 grant to work on their startup, social good or nonprofit over the summer through Invent Penn State’s Summer Founders Program. The 13-week program, hosted by Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, accelerates student startups by providing funding, mentorship and 1-on-1 coaching. Founders commit to work full-time, 40 hours per week, on their ventures for the duration of the program. Two virtual information sessions will be held for individuals considering participation to learn more about the program, the application process, and summer life in Happy Valley. Session...

A believer in education for all – in any format or platform accessible – Adelina Hristova obtained her Ph.D. in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education in 2016 from the Penn State College of Education. She defended her dissertation on informal mobile learning among Romani women in Bulgaria. Originally from Bulgaria, Hristova said education takes on many forms among different cultures. As part of her dissertation, she studied this group of Romani women’s mobile phone usage in their everyday learning. The experience showed her firsthand how technology can bridge gaps in learning opportunities when the complexity of technology usage is better understood....

Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank has accepted eight early-stage business startups into its fall 2023 FastTrack Accelerator program. The startups selected range from glowing soap and a modern color vision test to a Latin American gaming media group, an arts education company, and an adventure STEAM summer camp. The no-cost business accelerator program received 32 applications. The program is open to Penn State students, faculty and staff, as well as the local community. “What sets the participants chosen for this fall’s FastTrack apart is their unique blend of innovation, determination, and coachability,” said Elizabeth Hay, Jack White Family Director of Happy...