News & Events
Upcoming Events
Explore upcoming workshops, networking opportunities, and programs designed to support innovation and growth.
Student Startup Showcase
Penn State Harrisburg Students📣
Apply to be a part of the Student Showcase - a 90-second quick pitch competition as part of the Truist Empowering Executive Seminar Series on April 23.
Only 8 students will be selected to pitch and we will have a live vote for the TOP 3 FINALISTS.
Applications due April 11!
11:30am -1:30pm at Penn State Harrisburg, Capital Union Building- Room 210
- 1st Place: $1200
- 2nd Place: $750
- 3rd Place: $500
News
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, success stories, and highlights from our community.
March 28, 2025
Undergraduate student at Penn State? Interested in Global Innovation? Apply now for the Global Entrepreneurship Scholar Program! Selected applicants will spend the summer at Penn State Harrisburg expanding their knowledge of startup resources, develop entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills, and gain...
February 17, 2025
Join us for our Startup Challenge Weekend! Join us for an exciting 2-day experience to inspire student entrepreneurs at Penn State Harrisburg! The event features: Opening Night featuring local entrepreneurs Scott and Stephanie Shirley Two student pitch competitions on March 22...
February 1, 2025
The Harrisburg Launchbox in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Sales Education Center hosted the inaugural AI in Sales Symposium on February 12, 2025 featuring keynote Dr. Michael Rodriguez from East Carolina University. View the news story here: https://harrisburg.psu.edu/story/49456/2025/01/29/harrisburg-host-ai-sales-symposium-feb-12
Invent Penn State News
April 21
2026
Berks LaunchBox strengthens the startup ecosystem, continuing 2025 acceleration
Throughout 2025, Berks LaunchBox continued accelerating startup growth in the Berks County community. In the last year, Berks LaunchBox assisted 277 entrepreneurs, taught new skills to 713 community members in its Makerspace, offered entrepreneurship classes to 540 community members, supported entrepreneurs and organizations in building 31 prototypes, and impacted 364 students.
April 6
2026
Join the 'Dare to Disrupt' podcast for its 50th Episode live with Asia Grant
Invent Penn State’s Dare to Disrupt podcast will celebrate its 50th episode with a live episode recording featuring Penn State alumna, creative entrepreneur, content creator and professional perfumer Asia Grant on Thursday, April 9, at Struthers Auditorium in the Smeal Business Building.
March 30
2026
AI workshop highlights real-world tools for small businesses
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, students and community members gathered at Penn State Lehigh Valley on March 27 for a hands-on workshop exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen business strategy, improve decision-making and expand capacity for small teams.
March 30
2026
Student startups win funding in Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition
As a kickoff to Penn State Startup Week, six student teams pitched their startups to a panel of judges, competing for prizes totaling $35,500 in funding in the 2026 Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition. SlammedU, a startup founded by Smeal College of Business student Niklas Restrepo, won first place and $15,000.
March 27
2026
Inaugural Penn State Innovation to Impact Awards recipients announced
Penn State has named the inaugural Innovation to Impact Awards recipients, recognizing faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs and partners whose work exemplifies the University’s commitment to translating research into real-world impact.
March 13
2026
Education nonprofit executive director on 'Dare to Disrupt' podcast
The latest episode of Invent Penn State’s "Dare to Disrupt" podcast features Jackie Foor, executive director of the Consortium for Public Education. The consortium is a nonprofit that connects schools with partners and resources to help students prepare for their futures.