CALLING ALL STARTUPS, entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives: Pennsylvania College of Technology has opened a new space that is designed specifically for individuals with big ideas. Williamsport LaunchBox supported by Ken and Kristie Healy offers resources to turn any business concept into reality.

The LaunchBox, in Room 150 of the Carl Building Technologies Center, 1031 W. Third St., is the 24th innovation space in the Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network. The project spans the state within campus communities to provide a wide array of resources at low or no cost. Open to students, faculty, staff and community members, Williamsport LaunchBox offers resources for those who are in the process of accomplishing a variety of critical steps in the business cycle, including startup accelerator programs, legal and intellectual property resources, entrepreneurial/small business workshops and an expert speaker series. 

“Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs by connecting them to resources, support and the innovative spirit needed to accelerate growth and drive economic impact,” said Erin S. Shultz, manager of Williamsport LaunchBox operations. “With our mission in mind, we’ve created a community-focused innovation hub that is designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses turn their ideas into action. Further, through providing no-cost resources and free access to vital services, we’re eliminating hurdles and providing pathways to successfully starting a business. Williamsport LaunchBox will act as a catalyst for economic development and social change by providing the infrastructure and expertise necessary for local ideas to be transformed into successful, sustainable ventures.” 

The Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network, initiated in 2015 by Penn State President Emeritus Eric Barron, has engaged more than 24,000 students and faculty and assisted over 8,000 entrepreneurs, resulting in the creation of 1,033 startups, 770 internships and 708 jobs – a substantial economic development impact. General network services include accelerators, makerspaces, prototyping, legal and intellectual property advice, co-working, speakers, competitions and advisers. Each innovation hub is equipped with resources to meet the specific needs of the surrounding community. If a resource isn’t offered through a local space, guests can access the statewide network to find exactly what they need through one of Penn State’s other undergraduate communities, including Penn College, a special mission affiliate of Penn State. 

“Each innovation space across the Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network is designed to serve the community in which it is located,” Shultz said. “Programming, services and resources are tailored to meet the unique needs of our diverse communities throughout Pennsylvania. I feel Williamsport LaunchBox will bring people with diverse skills and perspectives to learn from one another and collaborate on real-world solutions.” 

The Penn College space is equipped with workstations, collaboration stations with shared monitors, a conference room, free Wi-Fi, 3D printers for prototyping, comfortable seating, a hospitality station and easy access to the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College. The goal is to create a hub for innovators, entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals to connect and share ideas. Shultz has also initiated key collaborations with the Penn State Small Business Development Center and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, both of which hold regular office hours at the local LaunchBox. 

The Williamsport LaunchBox’s location was once known as the “hallway to nowhere.” (The building it once led to, Unit 6, was demolished in the 1980s.) More recently it housed the baking & pastry arts patisserie. Brenda A. Wiegand, director of academic operations, said the space’s proximity to the college’s makerspace made it the ideal spot for a collaborative environment for users. 

“The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College will provide LaunchBox participants with a collaborative, creative environment to develop a product, a prototype or test a concept,” Wiegand said. “Our makerspace is here to help you turn ideas into real-world, viable solutions. Makerspace access is available by appointment for LaunchBox participants who are developing business ideas or product prototypes. In addition, The Dr. Welch Workshop is open year-round to Penn College students, faculty and staff. It offers limited summer hours to the community through summer membership options for a minimal fee.” 

According to Anthony J. Pace, vice president for enrollment & student success, the idea behind the Williamsport LaunchBox was in the works for a few years, but it was only because of the generous financial and operational support from donors and campus resources that the project was brought to life. 

Penn College President Michael J. Reed recognized the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and that of the Ken and Kristie Healy Foundation, Barbara B. Hudock, and Paul and Tom Kerr during a November dedication of the space. 

“Thanks to the generosity of the Ken and Kristie Healy Foundation, Williamsport LaunchBox will serve as a hub for students, faculty and community members to bring ideas to market, with a strong focus on technology-based innovation, workforce development and industry collaboration,” Reed said. “Thanks to the generosity of Barbara Hudock, the Entrepreneur Tech Fund will provide annual funds for operations to power innovation, mentorship and business development.”

• Customer Discover 101 – A self-paced online course 
• E-ship CrashCourse – A one-hour introduction for anyone considering their own startup 
• Legal Services Workshop 
• Idea TestLab – A four-week program to help turn an idea into a viable business 
• Digital TestLab – A fastpaced program helping startups and brands learn to navigate the digital landscape 
• MVP DevLab – Designed to support entrepreneurs in the crucial phase between idea and business creation 
• FastTrack Accelerator – A 10-week program helping to avoid common startup mistakes, build an actionable plan, test the market quickly and launch a business 
• Summer Founders Program – A 13-week program available to startups with at least one current student; teams work full time on their ventures in State College. 
• Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge Camp – Learning entrepreneurship mindset through education and project-based learning 

Williamsport LaunchBox is open by appointment on Mondays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

For more information, call 570-320-2400 or email launchbox@pct.edu.