The Latest Invent Penn State News
June 4
2025
Industry Dive co-founders Sean Griffey, Ryan Willumson on 'Dare to Disrupt'

The latest episode of Invent Penn State’s Dare to Disrupt podcast features Industry Dive co-founders and Penn State alumni Ryan Willumson and Sean Griffey. Industry Dive is a digital media company delivering business news and original analysis through targeted newsletters.

June 4
2025
Industry Dive cofounders Sean Griffey, Ryan Willumson on 'Dare to Disrupt'

The latest episode of Invent Penn State’s Dare to Disrupt podcast features Industry Dive co-founders and Penn State alumni Ryan Willumson and Sean Griffey. Industry Dive is a digital media company delivering business news and original analysis through targeted newsletters.

June 4
2025
Penn State Small Business Development Center hosts statewide growth conference

The Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently hosted the annual Pennsylvania SBDC Growth Conference, bringing together SBDC business consultants from across the state for professional development focused on emerging business trends, technologies and resources.

May 27
2025
Making research market-ready: Apply for NSF I-Corps Short Course

Invent Penn State’s NSF I-Corps Short Course is now accepting applications for its June virtual cohort, with an application deadline of Friday, May 30.

May 7
2025
Eight businesses to receive Sharon Economic Development grant funding

The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community, along with the City of Sharon and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, have announced the eight local businesses that will receive a total of $150,000 in inaugural grant funding awarded through the Sharon Economic Development Fund. 

April 23
2025
Three alumni founders discuss electric-vehicle industry on live podcast

“Dare to Disrupt LIVE: Innovating the Future of Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure” brought together three Penn State alumni at the forefront of the electric-vehicle industry to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping its future. 

April 23
2025
National Small Business Week events designed to support and empower entrepreneurs

The Penn State Small Business Development Center will celebrate National Small Business Week from May 4–10 with a series of events designed to support and empower entrepreneurs. 

April 23
2025
Matt Rhodes awarded inaugural Beecher Loftus Technology Transfer Catalyst Award

Matt Rhodes, past entrepreneur-in-residence of the Eberly College of Science’s Office for Innovation and managing director of 1855 Capital, recently received the inaugural Beecher Loftus Technology Transfer Catalyst Award at the 2025 Invent Penn State Venture and IP Conference, recognizing exceptional contributions to the commercialization of Penn State research-based technologies.

April 17
2025
Three research-based startups win funding in Invent Penn State Tech Tournament

For the first time, the Tech Tournament technology showcase — held during the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference on April 10 — featured university innovators from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The showcase highlighted 12 disruptive technologies and early-stage companies emerging from some of the state’s top research universities, including Penn State.

April 17
2025
Penn State Harrisburg student wins Invent Penn State Inc.U pitch competition

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Penn State Harrisburg kinesiology student, Erin Godfrey partnered with her husband — a law enforcement officer and defensive tactics instructor — to launch Joy Tac LLC, a company focused on developing a safer, more responsive firearm holster better aligned with modern training needs. Joy Tac recently won first place and $15,000 in the 2025 Invent Penn State Inc.U Competition.