Have a business idea? Happy Valley LaunchBox is accepting applications for its second group of startups to receive no-cost support services and space at its South Allen Street facility.
Entrepreneurial teams have until March 25 to apply at launchbox.psu.edu/application. Applicants will then participate in a competitive selection process, from which five to 10 LaunchTeams will be chosen. Six LaunchTeams were selected for the first cohort announced in January.
Application is open to entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas from the community as well as Penn State students, faculty and staff.
For selected teams, LaunchBox offers a 10-week business startup training program followed by up to nine months of co-working space. During the training program teams commit to three hours per week for class and five hours per week out of class.
Teams also have access to professional consultation and research resources from Penn State Law and IP Clinics, Small Business Development Center, the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship consulting solutions program and University Libraries.
Local entrepreneurs and Penn State alumni provide one-on-one mentorship. Teams also have 24-hour access to the LaunchBox space at 224 S. Allen St. as well as WiFi, video and teleconferencing.
LaunchBox does not provide funding but staff will connect teams with potential investors when they are ready.
When its Allen Street offices open to the public beginning in April, LaunchBox also will serve as a walk-in information desk service for area entrepreneurs during weekday business hours to help them find the resources they need at Penn State and in the local community.
Created with community collaborators, Happy Valley LaunchBox is an initiative of Invent Penn State, which was developed last year to help spur economic growth, job creation and student career success. Invent Penn State also has provided funding for entrepreneurship centers in six Commonwealth Campus communities.
