news & events

LaunchBox Ladies First Annual Pitch Competition

[caption id="attachment_51675" align="alignnone" width="300"] Allentown entrepreneur wins first annual pitch competitionBy Sara KarnishSUMMARY: Woman-owned candle company captures top spot in LaunchBox Ladies eventCENTER VALLEY, Pa. (July 6, 2023)—An Allentown-based entrepreneur captured the top prize in the first annual Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) LaunchBox Ladies’ Women in Business Pitch Competition held on June 28 at PSU-LV’s Center Valley campus.Latoya Hutchinson of Wicksquisite Candles was named the winner of the top prize of $2,500. Her newly formed company offers creative, one-of-a-kind candles customized to the customers’ preferences. “Our mission is to ignite joy in the lives of our customers by crafting...

Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Holds Gig-Economy Themed Summer Camp at Perkiomen School

The Morning Call – By Rachel Shin on July 9, 2022 PENNSBURG, Pa. –  For seven years, Penn State's Lehigh Valley LaunchBox has held a business-learning summer camp, Teen Entrepreneur Challenge, for high schoolers, culminating in a "Shark Tank"-style competition. The program went online for two years during the pandemic, and now it is back in person, instructing a cohort of 13 budding entrepreneurs on how to navigate such cultural phenomena as the Great Resignation and the widespread reconsideration of 9-5 jobs. Read the Full Article: Lehigh Valley Launchbox holds business summer camp for high schoolers (mcall.com)

StartUp Lehigh Valley Pitch Competition Awards $33,000 in Prizes to Entrepreneurs

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. — By Colin McEvoy on October 27, 2022 BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With Meraki Co., the maker of a probiotic supplement for urinary and vaginal health, took home the grand prize of $20,000 at the fourth annual StartUp Lehigh Valley, a pitch competition co-founded by Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox that showcases regional entrepreneurs and the innovation taking place in our community. The event took place on Oct. 26 at Factory LLC, a Bethlehem-based investor and operator for food, beverage, and pet health companies in Lehigh Valley. The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) was one of the...

LaunchBox Hosts Community Event with University President Neeli Bendapudi

Penn State Lehigh Valley — By Sharon Tercha on November 22, 2022 CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — An audience of students, faculty and community entrepreneurs heard Dr. Neeli Bendapudi speak about education and innovation at the Nittany Lion Cafe in the Lehigh Valley campus’ new $16 million expansion — recently completed under Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson. The event introduced newly appointed Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Director Jill Crane, before turning to a “fireside chat” between the president and chancellor. Bendapudi spoke to the region’s massive transformation. “The entire region has revitalized itself through entrepreneurship,” Bendapudi said. “Entrepreneurs don’t just react. They are...

Event Highlights How Community Banks Help with Small Business Funding

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. - By Colin McEvoy on March 4, 2022 Lehigh Valley LaunchBox and Penn State Lehigh Valley hosted a virtual discussion with Lehigh Valley bank representatives to discuss information, incentives, resources, and advice that could help entrepreneurs support their business needs. “There are so many resources here in the Lehigh Valley,” said Dinoli Rowlands, Regional Business Banking Relationship Manager with PNC Bank. “We’re so lucky to be in a place with such a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit; a place that supports entrepreneurs so well.” The event, entitled “Community Banks Small Business Funding Opportunity,” was hosted online via Zoom on March 3 as part...