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Dare to Dream Competition

The LaunchBox is hosting it’s annual Dare to Dream competition. This competition looks for new product development or an idea for a new business that would help support the local economy.

Attention high school students in the following areas:

Brockway Area High School Jeff Tech

St. Marys Area High School Moshannon Valley High School

DuBois Area High School Ridgway Area High School

Have an idea for a business?

Share your idea and win up to $400 in prizes

and T-shirts

Compete for gift cards!

1st place: $200

2nd place: $100

3rd place: $100

Important dates:

Application due: March 31

Pitch Practice: April 3 – 14

PowerPoint Due: April 21

School Finale: May 24 – 28

Regional Finale: May 1 – 5

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Apply Here

Supporting manufacturing competitiveness and workforce needs,
growing and attracting talented innovators and entrepreneurs,
and creating new high-knowledge, high-technology businesses in the region.

news & events

CNB Bank establishes second largest NCPA LaunchBox endowment to date

January 13, 2023

DUBOIS, Pa. — CNB Bank, headquartered in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, has established the second largest endowment to date in support of the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois (NCPA LaunchBox). The organization has pledged $150,000, matched one-to-one by...

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$50,000 endowment for innovation established with the help of Gasbarre Products

July 8, 2022

DuBois, Pa. – Gasbarre Products, a long-time partner and friend of Penn State DuBois, continues to invest in regional innovation with the establishment of the Gasbarre Products LaunchBox Endowment in support of the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn...

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$50,000 Miller Fabrications Solutions LaunchBox Endowment established

July 7, 2022

DuBois, PA – After touring the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois and visiting the Idea Lab on the Penn State DuBois campus, Dave Miller, Miller Fabrication Solutions’ chairman of the board, established the Miller Fabrication Solutions...

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Lehman, Raffeinner, and Treaster win tabletop challenge for the NCPA LaunchBox Idea Lab

June 9, 2022

DuBois, PA – Innovation is all about finding solutions and this tabletop challenge was no different. Located in the Swift building on the Penn State DuBois campus is a student gathering area containing round tables with openings in them, previously...

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The North Central PA LaunchBox welcomed guests for the official grand opening

April 6, 2022

DUBOIS, Pa., - The North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois celebrated the official grand opening, almost three years after being established as a regional center for entrepreneurship and economic growth. “Given the significance of the LaunchBox mission,...

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March 17 LaunchBox event to provide overview of $50,000 BIG Idea Contest

March 2, 2022

DuBOIS, Pa. – The North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois will host an informational event on this year’s BIG Idea Contest, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, at the LaunchBox Event Center, 2 E....

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NCPA LaunchBox helps bring Beaver Commons to life at DuBois Area High School

March 7, 2022

DuBOIS, Pa. – A job recently completed by the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois has helped to further the LaunchBox mission of community development and partnership. A wall covering measuring 19 feet long and nearly 6...

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Technical Training Center

The North Central PA LaunchBox and Penn State DuBois offer customized corporate training programs developed and facilitated by subject matter experts who are highly credentialed in their fields. Courses include:

Blueprint Reading
Die Setter Training Program
Fracture and Failure Analysis
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)
Supervision Essentials Series

Invest in our Shared Future

The sustainability of the North Central PA LaunchBox relies on the contributions of alumni, friends, and community leaders who see the potential for our campus to serve as a launching point for students and entrepreneurs. For a limited time, the University is offering a one-to-one match for gifts of $25,000 or more to establish a named endowment directed toward the North Central PA LaunchBox—doubling your gift and doubling your support for generations to come. Now is the perfect time for community members who share our entrepreneurial vision to invest in our own region’s future. An individual donor or company that commits a single gift or pledge commitment of $1 million to fully endow the North Central PA LaunchBox will receive the University match and will be offered LaunchBox naming rights. Program deadline: June 30, 2022, or until $1 million in matching funds have been awarded, whichever happens first.

Idea Lab

The Idea Lab offers students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to utilize various levels of 3D printers and a commercial vinyl printer to create prototypes, marketing materials, and so much more.

The Idea Lab is located in the DEF Building.

Learn to use the 3-D printers with Rapid Prototyping Classes

Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic

Provides a variety of free legal services related to startups.

Learn More

Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic

Provides entrepreneurs free assistance to determine if they have intellectual property and how to protect it.

Learn More

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Tools for Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Industry

Our Navigators are built with you in mind. See what Penn State has to offer.

Resource Navigator

The Resource Navigator showcases entrepreneurship and innovation resources in Penn State University communities across Pennsylvania.

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IP Navigator

The Intellectual Property Navigator is a showcase of Penn State University’s intellectual property available for licensing.

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Startup Navigator

The Startup Navigator is a showcase of startups with Penn State DNA.

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