Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Penn State, scheduled for Nov. 14-18, connects community members and aspiring entrepreneurs with Penn State’s vibrant ecosystem of investors, researchers, and startup champions. Presented by the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), GEW Penn State will host presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities geared specifically to entrepreneurs, local startups, innovators, and those interested in thinking outside the box.
GEW Penn State will host events at University Park as well as Penn State campuses across the state. No Penn State affiliation is required to attend, and most events are no cost and open to the public.
“GEW Penn State provides actionable insight to experienced and aspiring entrepreneurs while catalyzing connections among those who share a desire to be innovative and make an impact,” said Tim Keohane, director of Penn State SBDC. “This year’s robust event lineup will feature leading topics in entrepreneurship, including education, ecosystems, inclusion, and policy.”
For a full schedule of events at all participating Penn State campuses and to view virtual attendance opportunities, visit the GEW Penn State schedule. Featured GEW Penn State events include:
Build for Tomorrow: Lessons for Adapting to Change
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3-5 p.m. at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, Room 603
In this GEW Penn State keynote speaker event, Entrepreneur magazine Editor in Chief Jason Feifer will break down an actionable strategy for navigating moments of disruption and identifying opportunities ahead. In 2022, LinkedIn named Feifer a “Top Voice in Entrepreneurship.” Registration is required for this event, presented by Penn State SBDC and BNI Central Pennsylvania.
The First Steps to Small Business Success
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3-5 p.m. at Penn College (1 College Ave., Williamsport, PA 17701)
From business structures and business plans to legal and tax implications of owning a business, Penn State SBDC small business experts will share key aspects of starting a business and help attendees determine if launching a business is right for them. Registration is required.
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub
Join GEW Penn State for a day filled with events in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA Day will feature three informative sessions:
- Lender’s Roundtable, Invitation Only (9-11 a.m.): Explore how to grow a small business portfolio and customer base by leveraging SBA programs and discuss how to increase overall small business lending throughout the region.
- A Capital Idea! Lender Match Program Demonstration (noon-1 p.m.): During this interactive, hands-on workshop, learn where to find no-cost business counseling, pre-loan assistance, and how the Lender Match platform can help articulate funding needs to any lender.
- Grow Locally & Globally Utilizing SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program (1-3 p.m.): Learn how to sell in the federal marketplace during this informative session, which covers the basics of the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Contracting program including an overview of federal contracting, registration and codes to know, common solicitation types, and the certification process.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub
Local entrepreneurs and innovators are invited for an evening of networking and community building at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, an 85,000-square-foot building home to Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank and OriginLabs, a rapid prototyping and fabrication lab. Tours of the building and free food and drinks will be available during the event, hosted in partnership with Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), Centre Region Entrepreneur Network (CREN) and WiNGs (Women's Network Group). This event is free to attend but requires registration.
Additional Programming
Other events made to inspire entrepreneurs include What’s your story? CommAgency can tell it, presented by Happy Valley LaunchBox in partnership with CommAgency, and Overhauling Your Digital Image, featuring Keleigh Asbury, director of Smeal College of Business Alumni Career Services, and Sean Clifford, Penn State football quarterback and founder of Limitless NIL, presented by Happy Valley LaunchBox in partnership with Penn State Athletics. Events across Penn State campuses include How to Develop a Logo That Works, hosted by Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family and Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates and empowers entrepreneurs in more than 180 countries around the world to help break down cultural barriers and reach new audiences. Each November, roughly 10 million people take part in tens of thousands of activities, competitions and events that inspire them to act and provide them with the knowledge, experience and connections they need to succeed.
For event updates and information, follow GEW Penn State on social media at @gewpennstate.
About Invent Penn State
Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and university/community/industry collaborations to facilitate the challenging process of turning research discoveries into valuable products and services that can benefit Pennsylvanians and humankind.
GEW Penn State partners with Invent Penn State to help further its mission of economic development, student career success, and job creation.
About the Penn State SBDC
Funding support and resources are provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration; by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development; and in part through support from Penn State and with assistance from Lock Haven University. All services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government.
SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. The Penn State SBDC services Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Mifflin counties in central Pennsylvania.