Lehigh Valley LaunchBox

11/02/2026

10/27/2026

Money can help turn ideas into action 💰. Knowing what financial resources are available and how to access them can make taking the next step feel less overwhelming!

Whether you own a small business, work for an organization, or simply want to understand how businesses get funded, join Lehigh Valley LaunchBox on November 16 for Financing Your Business.

Hear from Penn State Accounting Professor Colleen Krcelich; Penn State student and Latina entrepreneur Elizabeth Sierra, founder of SunShine Bakery; and Sonia Smith, Economic Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Together, we’ll explore funding options, what you need in place to pursue them, and firsthand lessons learned along the way. Come ready to learn, connect, and ask questions!

🍽️ Lunch & networking: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
💬 Discussion: 12:00–1:15 p.m., followed by Q&A
📍 Location: Penn State Lehigh Valley, Room 135

09/28/2026

Business. Connections. Community. And a little friendly competition.
This Thursday, October 1, the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Ambassador Circle is bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, community partners, and friends for an evening designed to make connections while supporting entrepreneurship in the Lehigh Valley.
The Ambassador Circle is about more than attending an event. It’s about becoming part of a community that believes in helping entrepreneurs design, develop, test, and grow their ideas.
Join us for an evening featuring:
Interactive games and friendly competition
Networking with business and community leaders
Food, refreshments, and conversation
Silent auction and prizes
A chance to learn more about Lehigh Valley LaunchBox
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a supporter of small business, a Penn Stater, or simply someone who wants to see innovation thrive in the Lehigh Valley, we’d love to have you with us.
Thursday, October 1 | 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Come for the fun. Make a connection. Help us build what’s next.

09/28/2026

Business. Connections. Community. And a little friendly competition. This Thursday, October 1, the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Ambassador Circle is bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders, community partners, and friends for an evening designed to make connections while supporting entrepreneur...

09/03/2026

Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Legal hurdles shouldn't catch you off guard! 💡 Whether it’s choosing the right business structure, drafting airtight contracts, or protecting your intellectual property, getting your legal foundation right from day one can save you costly headaches down the ro...

07/30/2026

Day 5 of the Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge was packed with learning, collaboration, and unforgettable experiences!

The morning kicked off with an engaging session focused on pitch development and communication skills, giving our young entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to share their business ideas effectively. They then headed to the computer lab to continue refining their presentations in preparation for Saturday's pitch competition.

The excitement continued with a surprise visit from the Penn State Nittany Lion, bringing plenty of smiles and energy to the day! We also had the opportunity to work with the Penn State Lehigh Valley Strategic Communications team to capture professional photos and special moments that our participants will remember for years to come.

In the afternoon, we traveled in style aboard a luxury coach to Goggle Works, where students received the red-carpet treatment before exploring the incredible world of innovation and prototyping with Berks LaunchBox. They learned how laser cutting is transforming manufacturing, discovered how technology is being used to create prosthetic limbs, and even participated in a fun racing challenge that showcased creativity, engineering, and teamwork.

We wrapped up the day with an important conversation led by the Penn State Berks Police and Public Safety team, who shared valuable insights on personal safety, leadership, and being responsible members of a community.

Every day, these students are gaining more than entrepreneurial knowledge—they're building confidence, expanding their perspectives, and developing the skills they'll carry long after this week ends.

We can't wait to see them take the stage for the Pitch Competition on Saturday!

07/30/2026

Day 4 of the Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge brought our participants one step closer to Saturday's pitch competition. With every session, they're gaining the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to transform their ideas into viable business concepts.

The morning began with Professor Colleen Krcelich, CPA, who introduced students to the fundamentals of budgeting and accounting. Understanding the financial side of a business is essential for every entrepreneur, and the students learned how thoughtful financial planning supports long-term success.

After lunch, our participants took a deep dive into artificial intelligence during an interactive workshop led by TaskRipple's Kwame Lewis. Rather than simply exploring what AI can create, students learned how to use AI as a tool to strengthen the businesses they're already building. They worked through customer discovery, market and competitor research, value proposition development, and business model thinking—all while learning how to ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and use AI responsibly. The session emphasized that AI can be a powerful resource, but successful entrepreneurs still need critical thinking, real-world validation, and sound judgment.

The evening was dedicated to putting all of these new skills into practice. Teams rolled up their sleeves to continue developing their businesses, refining their pitches, and preparing for Saturday's competition.

The excitement is building, the ideas are becoming stronger, and the pitch competition is just around the corner. Things are getting real!

07/29/2026

07/29/2026

As we finish Day 3 of the Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge, our participants are beginning to settle into their startup teams and embrace the leadership roles they've been assigned. Each team now has a CEO, CFO, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Impact Officer, and it's exciting to watch them learn how these roles work together to build a successful business.

The day began with Catherine Connelly, who introduced students to key marketing concepts, including the Rule of Seven and the importance of consistently reaching their target audience.

Next, Dr. Justin De Senso, Penn State Lehigh Valley faculty member, led an interactive Design Thinking workshop, encouraging participants to view challenges through the eyes of their customers and develop creative, innovative solutions.

The learning didn't stop there. During our evening session, one of our Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge sponsors, Game Face Grooming, welcomed founder Philip Williams to share his entrepreneurial journey. Philip spoke candidly about the challenges, opportunities, and determination it takes to turn an idea into a successful business, giving our students valuable insights from someone who has lived the entrepreneurial experience.

Every day, these young entrepreneurs are building new skills, growing in confidence, and taking another step toward turning their ideas into reality. We can't wait to see what Day 4 has in store!