news & events

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. Long Ave. in DuBois. Everyone in Centre, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson counties is invited to attend the event to learn more about the BIG Idea Contest and how they can enter an idea for a business or product for the chance to win up to $50,000. The LaunchBox has once again joined with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the PA Wilds...

DuBOIS, Pa. – The North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois continues to add tools to its state-of-the-art lineup of technology aimed at developing area business and industry. The latest piece of equipment available for use by industry partners and individuals, a turntable 3-D scanner, just arrived in the on-campus Idea Lab in February. “This machine scans parts that are sitting on a turntable, that can be manipulated so that the scanner can record all sides of a part, without the part being handled by an individual.  This takes human error out of the equation, making the scans more...

DuBOIS, Pa. – With the economic prosperity of the people in their communities a priority, the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, Pennsylvania, has pledged $50,000 to create the Farmers National Bank Endowment in support of the North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois. This gift will activate a one-to-one match from Penn State, creating a $100,000 program endowment to support the NCPA LaunchBox. Launched in 2019, the North Central PA LaunchBox provides services such as assistance with business plan development, assistance with grant applications, educational seminars for entrepreneurs, workforce training and more. A downtown location contains offices for...

DuBOIS, Pa. — The North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois, part of the Invent Penn State initiative, has once again joined with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, and other economic development leaders to bring the BIG Idea Contest to the region. This year, partners are looking for tech innovators or small manufacturers located in Centre, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson counties in Pennsylvania who are developing or crafting a product, process or innovation related to the outdoors and recreation, forest products, manufacturing and technology. The winning contestant could take home $50,000 to use...