About

What is North Central PA LaunchBox?

The North Central PA LaunchBox and Innovation Collaborative is a partnership focused on supporting manufacturing competitiveness and workforce needs, growing and attracting talented entrepreneurs and innovators, and creating the new high-knowledge, high-technology businesses for the region. Penn State DuBois serves as the convener to facilitate partnerships with and between businesses, education, industry, and economic and community development stakeholder to form a functional ecosystem for providing facilities and programming for industrial research and development, P-20 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) educational and professional programming, business and community development for regional industries.

If you're an entrepreneur, start here
Our mission is to be the "hub" that connects local 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 to avoid the common mistakes startups often face and enable them to focus their time on de-risking and growing their businesses.
We offer:
  • Boot Camp/Accelerator
  • Business Consultant Services
  • Community Education Programs
  • Competitions
  • Event Space
  • MakerSpace
  • Mentorship Programs
  • Microgrant Programs
  • Product Development
  • Speaker Series
  • University Classrooms
Meet the LaunchBox Team
Johnny Williams

Interim Director, North Central PA LaunchBox

Johnny Williams is the Interim Director of the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois, where he leads efforts to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional economic development across North Central Pennsylvania. In this role, he works closely with startups, small businesses, manufacturers, and community partners to provide access to resources, technical expertise, and programming that helps turn ideas into viable ventures. Johnny brings a strong background in engineering, applied technology, and industry engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design from Penn State. Prior to joining the LaunchBox, he spent a decade with the Clearfield Municipal Authority, including six years as Manager, where he led infrastructure projects, operational planning, and system modernization efforts. At Penn State DuBois, Johnny focuses on applied technology, workforce development, and strengthening connections between emerging innovation and regional industry. He is also passionate about youth programming, developing hands-on learning opportunities that introduce students to entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and emerging technologies. Johnny is your go-to resource for anything NCPA LauchBox and is excited to work with you!
Partners
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northen PA
Brookville Area Chamber of Commerce
Brookville Borough
BC3 @ Brockway
Clearfield Borough
Clearfield County Career & Technology Center
Clearly Ahead Development
Clearfield Revitalization Corporation
City of DuBois
City of DuBois Redevelopment Authority
City of Saint Marys
Downtown DuBois, Inc.
DuBois Chamber of Commerce
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Jefferson County Development Council
Jeff Tech
Junior Achievement
KIZ Resources
Manufacturing Education & Employment Advancement
North Central Regional Planning & Development Center
Northwest Industrial Resource Center
PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship
Pennsylvania CareerLink
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Punxsutawney Borough
Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce
Punxsutawney Revitalization: Investing, Developing, Enhancing
Reynoldsville Borough
Saint Marys Chamber of Commerce
Sandy Township
SCORE Business Professionals
Small Business Development Center at Clarion University
Square One
Workforce Solutions