November 20 - Transportation and Innovation
Join the School of Business Administration featuring Dr. Peter Swan (PSU Assoc. Prof. of SCM Emeritus and Committee member). Dr. Swan will discuss his research on train and railroad system operations and present his recommendations in the three areas of safety, grade crossing blockages, and delays to Amtrak passengers. The study uses empirical analysis to link longer trains to increased derailments and explains how current railroad operations create externalities resulting in economic market failure.
Research Insights from Dr. Peter Swan

December 5 - Fireside Chat with the Goshows

Join us for a fireside chat with Nancy Aber Goshow and F. Eric Goshow, the founding partners of Goshow Architects. Established in 1978, it is one of the largest woman-owned architectural firms in New York City dedicated to “public design for the public good”.
  • Learn how to turn your startup dreams into reality
  • Hear the Goshow journey to build and expand
  • Learn tips about entrepreneurship
Key Dates:
  • Join us!
Dec 5 @ 6pm.

November 20 - Veteran's Pitch Event!

Join the Harrisburg LaunchBox and Rotary Veterans Initiative (RVI) for our fall 2024 Veteran's Business Bootcamp Pitch Event! Come and hear 6 veteran entrepreneurs compete for $10,000 plus hear from our keynote speaker, Sharina Johnson, founder of Arcana Recovery.
  • Up to $10,000 to be awarded!

It’s a good time to start up.

From startup accelerators, to legal advice, to 1:1 coaching, we’re here to help.
For Entrepreneurs
Harrisburg LaunchBox is an entrepreneur's space, connecting Pennsylvania entrepreneurs to resources to build scalable and sustainable business models with viable strategies for growth.
WE OFFER:
  • Startup accelerator bootcamps
  • 1:1 coaching and mentoring
  • Elevator pitch competitions
  • Legal and intellectual property services

Register for the Truist Empowered Entrepreneurs Series!

Join us for a dynamic event series to help strengthen small businesses in the Harrisburg region! Together with the Truist Foundation and Penn State Harrisburg team, we’ll convene diverse leaders in the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem around topics including: access to capital, technical support programs, mentorship for success, research and development of new technologies and best practices and policies on inclusion.  Register here!

Idea TestLab Virtual Accelerator

Have a business idea? Figure out how to turn it into a viable business. Idea TestLab is a "customer discovery" investigation designed to help you better understand the customer, the problem you're trying to solve, and how to provide value in a differentiated way.
  • 4 week startup accelerator
  • 1:1 coaching
  • No affiliation with Penn State required for application
Key Dates:
  • Stay tuned for future dates.

Accelerators

Whether you have a business idea to develop or are just starting out, we have an accelerator program that’s right for you. Programs are low- or no-cost and offer chances to win prizes to help get your business idea going. Accelerator programs are by application only.

Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic

Provides a variety of free legal services related to startups.

Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic

Provides entrepreneurs free assistance to determine if they have intellectual property and how to protect it.

Ready to get started?

Advance Innovation in Our Region!

Support the Harrisburg LaunchBox Innovation & Entrepreneurship Fund! Learn more about how to get involved.

Support Our Work!

Support Innovation in South Central PA!

news & events

2024 – 2nd Annual Small Business Summit – June 14
Join us on June 14 for an incredible power packed day and it's all about SCALING your idea! We'll discuss marketing tips and trends, explore small business resources to grow locally and internationally, plus hear the stories of incredible entrepreneurs...
Join us for April Events on Campus!
Join us in April at Penn State Harrisburg for one of the following events: April 10 - 2nd Research and Discovery Day.  Join our full day program featuring research, workforce and innovation initiatives in Central PA.  Register here.   April...
New Tech Meetup of Central PA – April 15
The Harrisburg Launchbox is excited to host the New Tech Meetup on April 15! The New Technology Meetup of Central PA is focused on Medical Technology for April 2024. Click here to register! Our Presentations: Michael Zarreii - Axon Medical...
Small Business Summit – 2023!
  REGISTER TODAY! June 15, 2023 8am - 3pm Location: Penn State Harrisburg 777 W. Harrisburg Pike Middletown, PA.  Register Now! Join us for the Harrisburg LaunchBox Small Business Summit! We've planned a full day experience for innovators and entrepreneurs...
Winners of Winter 2022 Idea TestLab Announced
MARCH 10, 2022 - The Penn State Mont Alto, Harrisburg and York LaunchBoxes recently announced the winners of their regional Idea TestLab final pitch competition. The competition concluded a five-week-long virtual business idea accelerator during which eight selected startups received...
2021 Veterans Business Bootcamp Winners Announced
Harrisburg LaunchBox is pleased to announce the winners of the Veterans Business Bootcamp final pitch competition on November 17, 2021 at Penn State Harrisburg.  The final pitch competition concluded the eight-week long virtual program, in which a select group of...
Fall 2020 Startup Challenge Idea Accelerator Winners Announced
Harrisburg LaunchBox is pleased to announce the winners of the Startup Challenge virtual accelerator final pitch competition on November 14, 2020.  The final pitch competition concluded the week-long virtual business idea accelerator, in which a select group of 8 participants...
Watch Design Thinking for Business
Couldn't make the webinar?  Watch Design Thinking for Business Now What is design thinking and how can it help your business? In this 90-minute, hands-on virtual workshop you will learn the design thinking process and how to apply it to...
Watch the Design Thinking Virtual Workshop
See what you missed from our May 14th virtual workshop -- watch the workshop video here. Design thinking. You've heard of it. But what *is* it and how can it help you? In this fun, interactive workshop, we'll learn the...

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.

IP Navigator

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

Startup Navigator

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