University Park, Pennsylvania — This spring, Happy Valley LaunchBox, operated by PNC Bank, will offer two free startup accelerator programs. This program provides community and Penn State entrepreneurs with resources and guidance to turn their business ideas into scalable businesses.
Applications for Idea TestLab will open on January 3, 2023.
The FastTrack Accelerator is open for applications until January 6, 2023.
Elizabeth Hay, Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox said: “FastTrack Accelerator is ideal for startups that have already gone through that validation process and are ready to build a viable plan to launch their business.”
Both the Idea TestLab and FastTrack Accelerator applications are open to community entrepreneurs and Penn State University students, faculty and staff.
Idea TestLab – Applications open on January 3rd
The Idea TestLab is a four-week program designed to help teams assess the viability of their business ideas. Teams are coached through proven methods of customer discovery and problem analysis to uncover the problems customers have and the value others can’t provide.
The Idea TestLab submission window opens on January 3rd and closes on January 24th. Affiliation with Penn State University is not required to apply. The team will meet him once a week for four weeks in February as a cohort.
As part of the Idea TestLab, participants will receive:
During the program, participants identify currently available solutions, understand gaps, and define what participants can offer value that other participants cannot.
FastTrack Accelerator – Apply by January 6th
The FastTrack Accelerator is a 10-week program that helps early-stage startups better target their target markets, test the market, and build a viable plan to acquire customers or grow their business. increase. At the end of the program, participants enter a pitch contest for a chance to win up to $5,000 for their business.
Affiliation with Penn State University is not required to apply. Founders retain all rights to their ideas and there is no cost to participate in the program. The program runs from mid-January through mid-March he.
As part of the FastTrack Accelerator, participants also receive the following benefits:
-
One-on-one mentoring.
-
We fund one semester of internships through the SEDTAPP ENtern program.
-
One year subscription for SolidWorks and io plugins.
-
Access over 60 advisors and experts.
-
24/7 access to Happy Valley LaunchBox with space in the team room.
-
Up to $1,500 to run market tests through the Market Testing Fund.
Upon completion of the program, the team forms a formal business entity, develops a unique value proposition, defines a viable business model, and develops marketing and sales plans.
Recent FastTrack Accelerator participants include Basketball Today, Eartrainer, and VertaWorks.
About Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank
Happy Valley LaunchBox, powered by PNC Bank, provides early-stage startups with the support and resources they need to build sustainable, scalable businesses and viable growth plans. Free programs and services include coworking spaces, accelerator programs, legal and intellectual property advice, and expert guidance from Penn State University’s extensive network. LaunchBox is open to everyone, including community members and people associated with Penn State. Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative and one of his 21 innovation spaces in his Penn State campus community in Pennsylvania.