Explore innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities at Penn State this March

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Startup Week will take place March 24-28, offering students across the commonwealth the chance to engage with the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through a variety of free events.

From hands-on workshops and one-on-one mentorship sessions with alumni to engaging speaker talks and social events, Startup Week provides opportunities for students to explore the entrepreneurial resources available to them. View the full schedule and register for events on the Startup Week website.

"We’re excited to bring in a diverse range of speakers covering topics the student executive committee identified as relevant and inspiring for students today," said Matthew McKinney, Startup Week coordinator and entrepreneurship program manager in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization. "There will also be several opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship to socialize with one another, as well as support each other by attending one of several of our student-led speaker events, or attending the student marketplace and purchasing products from student-run startups.”

Featured Events

So You Want to Start a Podcast — with Lillian Xu, Vox Media

Learn more about the podcast industry today and how to think through starting a show and making it a real business.

• When: Monday, March 24, at Noon
• Where: 612 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

Go Everywhere, Eat Everything: A Culinary Journey — with celebrity Chef Simon Majumdar

From his journey as a restaurant critic and author to becoming a familiar face on the Food Network, Majumdar will share his experiences in the food industry, the food media business, and how entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in culinary innovation. Learn more about Chef Majumdar’s visit to Penn State.

• When: Tuesday, March 25, at 4:35 p.m.
• Where: 104 Keller Building

Hands-On with Robotic Arm Technology — OriginLabs

Using a user-friendly touchscreen interface, you'll learn how to quickly and efficiently program the robotic arm to perform various tasks. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your robotics skills, this session will provide valuable insights into the programming process, making robotics accessible and fun for all!

• When: Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Where: Noontime Lounge, HUB-Robeson Center

Penn State Brand Academy Panel — With former student-athletes Omar Easy, Garry Gilliam, Douglas Wilber, Aaron Maybin and Haley McClain Hill

From the field to the boardroom, Penn State's former athletes have taken their competitive drive beyond sports and into entrepreneurship. Hear firsthand how they built their brands, leveraged their athletic experience for business success, and navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship.

• When: Thursday, March 27, at 4:15 p.m.
• Where: 612 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

Penn State Startup Marketplace: Student Entrepreneurs in Action

Featuring more than a dozen student-run businesses. Whether looking for sustainable fashion from Thrifted Philly, Earth Angel Thrifts and Core Carry, or an innovative gaming experience with Whirl Pong, you'll find a wide variety of businesses to support and be inspired by.

• When: Friday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: 3 Dots Downtown

Students can fuel their innovation daily during Startup Week by enjoying a variety of delicious eats from rotating food trucks all week long at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub. As a special treat, Creamery Entrepreneur-chip Monkey Business ice cream will be available at select events throughout the week.

About Penn State Startup Week

An integral part of the broader Invent Penn State initiative, Startup Week is a University-wide event that connects students with innovative alumni and pioneers who are achieving success in a variety of industries and disciplines. Throughout the week, students discover, explore, experience and celebrate entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Startup Week and view a full schedule of events. Participants can engage with and follow Startup Week on Facebook and Instagram.