The latest episode of Invent Penn State’s “Dare to Disrupt” podcast features Mike Karns, founder and CEO of Marathon Digital, Broadway’s premier social media agency. Marathon Digital creates content and cultivates communities for some of Broadway’s biggest shows, including “Hamilton,” “Hadestown,” “The Outsiders” and more.
From Nov. 17-23, Penn State campuses and their surrounding communities buzzed with entrepreneurial activity during Global Entrepreneurship Week Penn State 2025. The celebration offered a wide range of events to spark ideas and bring innovators together.
Penn State undergraduate student teams from any Penn State campus are invited to attend a virtual info session on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. to learn more about applying for the Invent Penn State Inc.U pitch competition.
Penn State Great Valley hosted its annual LionCage competition on Nov. 14, with entrepreneurs from the Greater Philadelphia region pitching their start-up companies and competing for prize money. This event was the culmination of a series of six smaller competitions held throughout the past year, with panel discussions and mentoring sessions to help local founders refine their business plans and pitches.
After a delay of more than four months, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a 2025-26 state budget that includes level funding for Penn State’s general support appropriation. Including this year, Penn State’s general support funding has been held flat at $242.1 million for each of the last six fiscal years and has not increased since a 2% rise in 2019-20.
The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State has announced seven recipients of its IMAGINE Your Business grant, designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs accelerate their business growth. The program awards up to $2,000 to assist startups with prototyping, marketing, product development and other essential business expenses.
The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State recently announced the winners of its Idea TestLab Pitch Competition in an award ceremony held on Nov. 5. Renaissance Labs earned first place, HT Organic Solutions took second place, and Heintz Tax Service placed third. In addition, this year’s Advisor’s Spotlight Award was presented to Jen Kutchner and Ruby Rodriguez of the Gilded Page.
Forensic handwriting expert Beverley East explored handwriting, authenticity and AI at a Nov. 17 Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox event during Global Entrepreneurship Week.
For six decades, the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program has been a catalyst for economic growth, environmental stewardship and technological advancement across Pennsylvania. Reflecting on its 60th year, PennTAP is celebrating growing statewide impact and a leadership role in one of Pennsylvania’s most significant grant programs.
Pennsylvania College of Technology has officially opened the doors to a collaboration space designed to empower entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into action. Williamsport LaunchBox supported by Ken and Kristie Healy has become the 24th innovation space in the Invent Penn State LaunchBox and Innovation Network.