WYOMISSING, Pa. — As part of Penn State’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, Penn State Berks will hold a variety of events for aspiring entrepreneurs from Nov. 8 to 12. Some events will be held later in November. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. The events are sponsored by the college’s Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center and the Berks LaunchBox, an incubation hub located in the city of Reading.
Use YouTube to Grow Your Business
Monday Nov. 8, 10–11 a.m., Webinar
Speaker: Randi Penfil, Google trainer
This webinar is for those thinking of creating a YouTube channel or those currently using YouTube for their business. Randi Penfil will discuss best practices and compelling video content that promotes products and services and drives engagement with the brand. This webinar is presented by the Berks LaunchBox. Attendees must register in advance.
Student Entrepreneurs – Opportunities and Challenges
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6–7 p.m., Webinar
This event is only for students.
Speakers include student entrepreneurs Matthew Finger, Naj Fryer, Sergene Saint-Louis, Edith Asha-Kadiyah Konneh, and Michael G. Shott Jr. Presented by the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CCED) Center. Attendees must register in advance.
Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center Open House
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 5–6 p.m., Hybrid format
This open house will be held both in-person at the CEED Center, room 111, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Penn State Berks and via Zoom. Attendees will learn how the Flemming CEED Center can help with innovative ideas, prototyping, starting a business, and more. Visit berks.psu.edu/flemming-ceed-center for information on how to join via Zoom.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies: Opportunities and Pitfalls
Thursday, Nov. 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Webinar
Speaker: Abdullah Konak, distinguished professor of information sciences and technology
Over the last decade, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly moved from research labs to the mainstream of society. Companies increasingly embed AI into their products and services, and they rely on AI to run day-to-day operations. Consumers have also adopted AI-enabled products and services, from smart home devices to intelligent vehicles. This presentation aims to demystify AI technologies by introducing historical perspectives of AI, discussing different levels of AI usage, comparing knowledge and data-driven AI technologies, discussing future trends, and introducing the pitfalls of AI technologies, including vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Presented by the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center. Attendees must register in advance for this webinar.
Exfiltration! Intellectual Property Workshop
Friday, Nov. 12, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Webinar
Speaker: Sarah Hartman-Caverly, assistant librarian, Penn State Berks Thun Library
Presented by the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center. Attendees must register in advance. Visit berks.psu.edu/flemming-ceed-center for information on how to join via Zoom.
Business Storytelling 101
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Webinar
Speaker: Lori Donofrio-Galley, PR strategist and founder of the Right Angle
Strategic storytelling starts with an investigation. Lori Donofrio-Galley will discuss how a probing inquiry is the first step in “fleshing out” a business story. Building a presence or finding the "face of your business" requires a narrative that is strategically and creatively woven into and throughout content channels and face-to-face marketing experiences. This webinar is presented by the Berks LaunchBox. Attendees must register in advance.
Make & Take: Laser Cut Earrings
Thursday, Nov. 18, 6–8 p.m., Goggleworks Center for the Arts
Speaker: Matthew Serio of Artigiano Serio.
Learn how to Lasercut thin wooden earrings with the help of maker, Matthew Serio from Artigiano Serio. Three designs will be available and attendees can choose their own design. Final earrings can be sanded and worn immediately or stained and painted for a different look. This is a free event with no charge for one pair of earrings per person. This event is presented by the Berks LaunchBox. Space is limited and attendees must register in advance.
About the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center
The Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Center (CEED) Center was established in the fall of 2011 as part of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. The mission of the CEED Center is to inspire an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking among members of the campus and local community. The CEED Center fosters economic growth and development in the Greater Reading area through technology-based solutions, human capital development, and enterprise creation. The CEED Center provides student entrepreneurs with an incubator in which to develop their startup ideas, and mentoring from faculty members, as well as volunteers from the local business community. Programs include creativity training workshops, 3D printing workshops, a speaker series, the Customer Discovery Lab, the STEM Business Idea Challenge, and the Student Enterprise Award. For more information, visit berks.psu.edu/flemming-ceed-center or contact Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems and director of the Flemming CEED Center.
About the Berks LaunchBox
The mission of the Berks LaunchBox, located in Suite 105 of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading, is to support economic development and entrepreneurship. An innovation hub of Penn State Berks, the Berks LaunchBox connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities that they need to build sustainable and scalable businesses with a viable plan for growth. Services include assistance with prototyping, conducting market research, and connecting with advisors. The Berks LaunchBox offers entrepreneurship workshops, co-working space for startups, Meetups focused on business development, a makerspace with 3D printers for prototyping, and special youth programs.
The Berks LaunchBox is supported by Invent Penn State — a commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student success, launched by Penn State President Eric J. Barron in 2016. For more information, visit berkslaunchbox.psu.edu or contact Michelle Hnath, Berks LaunchBox facility coordinator, at mah629@psu.edu or 610-914-7595.