news & events

Adapting is key. While our world is in semi-isolation, business owners and entrepreneurs are still coming up with ideas for new businesses or ideas for adapting their current businesses. Same with us here at the LaunchBox. In response to COVID-19 and the global pandemic, we’re taking our 4-week Idea TestLab virtual so you can keep testing out new ideas. Re-tooling to keep it personal. Meeting rooms, sharpies, and sticky notes are all being replaced by virtual whiteboards and Zoom breakout rooms. We’re working to provide an experience through Zoom that is very close to the in-person offering w traditionally offer. Participants will...

Get recommendations from experts in 25 minutes. No doubt if you’re a business owner, you’re having to figure out how to re-think your business. Whether it’s how best to adapt the sales process, stay connected to your customers, manage remote teams, or tap into new revenue streams, you’re likely pivoting in multiple ways, at mock speed. With that in mind, we’ve created the TOP 5 IN TWENTY-FIVE virtual Speaker Series. Each Wednesday in May, we’ll chat with experts who’ll share their top five recommendations for adapting to the current market conditions. Support local businesses too. To hep support local businesses,...

Help with managing liabilities. The Entrepreneurship Assistance Clinic (EAC) serves startups and early-stage businesses that cannot afford traditional legal representation. In these difficult economic times, as many are facing severe business pressures, the clinic will offer counseling, document drafting and negotiation assistance regarding: Managing liabilities, such as loans, leases and contractual obligations — many creditors, landlords, and other counterparties may be willing to enter into forbearance and other restructuring agreements. Evaluating performance obligations — many companies will need to assess their own contractual obligations and the obligations of the other parties to their contracts under such principles as “force majeure,” impossibility, and...

Having a product doesn’t mean you’re on track. A common mistake that startups make is building something before they really understand the problem, why it’s a problem, and who exactly is willing to pay to solve it. It can be very tempting to start building. After all, you will have something to show others. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that just because you have something you can show someone that you’re on the right track.   What if we found ourselves building something that nobody wanted? In that case, what did it matter if we did it on...

Innovation Hub startups show off their companies. President Barron invited 5 startups from around the Commonwealth to pitch their ideas as part of his tailgate for Saturday’s Penn State game. Each had 90 seconds to regale the crowd with what they do for whom and why. In attendance was: ATP Resources – Penn State Shenango KinderMinder – University Park Slanted Semicolon – Penn State York Traduki Technologies – Penn State Berks Unis Brands – Penn State Altoona (now attending UP) Frankly, they nailed it.