It’s a good time to start up.
From accelerator programs, to legal advice, to coworking space, we’re here to help.
For entrepreneurs
Located at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus in Center Valley, we are the hub connecting Lehigh Valley entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities they need to build a sustainable and scalable business with a viable plan for growth. By centralizing our no-cost services, we help entrepreneurs avoid the common mistakes startups often face and enable them to focus their time on growing their business.
- Business accelerator program
- Microgrants
- Coworking space
- Legal and intellectual property services
- Business advice and mentorship
Accelerator & Microgrant Program
Lehigh Valley Launchbox (LVLB) is an early-stage business accelerator program for entrepreneurs. It propels business concepts into startup companies with:
- Microgrants awarded annually
- Free coworking space in downtown Allentown
- Access to PSU Legal and Intellectual Property Services
- Ongoing education and programming
- Business development resources
- A safety net of advisors
Coworking Space
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox microgrant recipients have access to coworking space at Velocity in downtown Allentown.
Find an inviting space to work or book a conference room or training room. You will also find 24-7 access to the building, wi-fi, a kitchenette, and a lounge.
Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic
Provides a variety of free legal services related to startups.
Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic
Provides entrepreneurs free assistance to determine if they have intellectual property and how to protect it.
Ongoing Programming
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Ladies Speaker Series
A conversational event series focusing on the unique challenges an victories of female entrepreneurs. Using interviews, video and interactive presentations, guests will share with students and the public their personal experiences running a successful business.
Teen Entrepreneur Challenge
Our Teen Entrepreneur Challenge (TEC) empowers rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to be successful business owners.
- Learn key strategies for starting a business and developing an entrepreneurial spirit
- Programming at Penn State Lehigh Valley and the Perkiomen School, with field trips to area businesses for real-world experiences
- Housing at the Perkiomen School in air-conditioned dorms and use of the Innovation Center for 3D virtual reality, additive manufacturing, computer design, and rapid prototyping
- Camp culminates in a “Shark Tank” style team pitch competition to a panel of judges
- Receive a 50 percent discount on transferable college credits for camp participation through the optional dual-enrollment program
The Council for Retail and Sales
Formed to be the leading authority on issues facing the retail and sales industries, the Council for Retail and Sales (CRS) facilitates the needs of businesses on the movement of goods and services to end users by developing students, academics and professionals, and educating organizations on how best to meet their sales goals.
Meet the Experts Speaker Series
Each event in this speaker series addresses an important topic in the retail and sales professions and features a panel of subject matter experts.
- Meet the Experts: The Changing Landscape of the Retail Industry
- Wednesday, September 25, 2019
- Checkin at 8:00 a.m.
- Program 8:30-9:45 a.m.
- Facility tours at 10:30 a.m.
The 2019 CRS Collegiate Challenge
This year's CRS Collegiate Competition is powered by Walmart and is designed to help grow Walmart's e-commerce business.
The competition culminates in a regional competition to be held on October 17, 2019 at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. The top team will receive $1,000 to be divided by team members and a 'traveling' trophy that will be housed at the winner's school. The second place team will be awarded $400 to be divided by the team.
Each school may submit up to 2 teams and each team must consist of 3-4 students plus one faculty advisor. The deadline to participate is September 30, 2019.
47
Startups Graduated
$128k+
Awards
750+
LaunchBox Ladies Participants
1.6
Million+ PA Jobs Supported by Retail
news & events
‘LaunchBox Ladies’: Female entrepreneurs to share personal journeys June 6
June 5, 2019
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox continues its educational event series focusing on the unique challenges and victories of female entrepreneurs called “LaunchBox Ladies: From Passion to Profit” with a program on Thursday, June 6. This event "toasts" three of the female Lehigh Valley...
Penn State Lehigh Valley announces 2019 Teen Entrepreneur Challenge
June 5, 2019
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Creative collaboration fuels innovation, and the Teen Entrepreneur Challenge (TEC) is poised to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Offered by Penn State Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, and Perkiomen School, the 10-day summer camp is...
Meet the Experts event focuses on the changing landscape of the food industry
June 12, 2019
The Council for Retail and Sales (CRS) held its first Meet the Experts event at Factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on April 25. This first event focused on the "Changing Landscape of the Food Industry" and featured a panel of experts from various...
Tools for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Industry
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The Intellectual Property Navigator is a showcase of Penn State University’s intellectual property available for licensing.
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