news & events

As a soil science graduate student teaching at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Zoelie Rivera-Ocasio found herself searching for ways to make studying soil more interesting in outreach activities for undergraduate students. In one of these outreach activities, she made soil-based paints for the students. The activity went so well, and she enjoyed the process so much, Rivera-Ocasio decided to pick up the activity as a hobby, she said. When she moved to the United States in 2021, the hobby turned into a serious business pursuit. Now a soil sciences and biogeochemistry doctoral candidate in the College of Agricultural Sciences at...

Applications are now open for the 2023 Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program, which provides a $15,000 grant to entrepreneurial teams with at least one Penn State student to work full-time on their startup, social good or nonprofit over the summer. Applications are due March 9. The 13-week program, run in partnership with 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. Apply to the Summer Founders Program by March 9. There will be two information sessions prior...

Penn State College of Engineering alumnus Tyler Tracy developed a passion for cutting hair his senior year of high school and continued to cut hair throughout college. However, he consistently struggled with keeping his tools organized. “With men’s haircuts, especially, you are going back and forth with a lot of tools, so I would have a lot of clutter start to build,” Tracy said. “I started thinking that if I had a system where every tool had a place to live, that would really help me out with organization.” Around the same time, Tracy also started to get more in tune...

Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank has accepted 11 early-stage business startups into its spring 2023 FastTrack Accelerator program. The business concepts range from gym equipment attachments and kayaking accessories to a swipe-right based app for fashion, to a support system network for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Through a competitive entry application process, FastTrack received 27 submissions for the no-cost business accelerator program, which is open to Penn State students, faculty and staff, as well as the community. The spring 2023 accelerator program, which runs from January through March, consists of nine weekly group meetings, plus 1-on-1 mentoring from advisers and...

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 goal is to inspire you to turn your idea into a viable business with the support of LaunchBox. Whether you are a community member, alumni, student, or none of the above, all are welcome!   How it works.  All talks are held downtown at the Happy Valley LaunchBox and include:  35-40-minute actionable advice and best practices  10-minute open Q&A  1-on-1 time to ask questions  ...