news & events

$50,000 BIG Idea Contest accepting applications for business ideas in PA Wilds

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...

Endowment for North Central PA LaunchBox named in honor of Chancellor McBride

DuBOIS, Pa. — Celebrating the vision and leadership of former chancellor M. Scott McBride in his mission to bring the Invent Penn State initiative to Penn State DuBois, the M. Scott McBride Endowment in Support of the North Central PA LaunchBox has been established by the campus. Intended to support the LaunchBox in stimulating economic prosperity in the North Central PA region, this $80,000 endowment has been funded with $40,000 in contributions by Penn State DuBois, as well as colleagues and friends of McBride, and with $40,000 in matching funds provided by Penn State through the LaunchBox Matching Program. The LaunchBox Matching Program...

North Central PA LaunchBox, Idea Lab, advancing innovation one stitch at a time

DUBOIS, Pa. – Using state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois continues to expand the services offered to businesses and individuals throughout the region. Demonstrating the ability to reach almost any industry, one of the latest innovations from the LaunchBox is keeping a Clarion County woman in stitches. Kristen Mahle has had a passion for sewing since the second grade, when she received her first sewing machine from her mother. She shares that passion with others by teaching sewing classes, often offering the classes, free of charge, to underprivileged youth and other individuals in her...

At North Central PA LaunchBox, collaboration reignites region

This article is part of a series celebrating the five-year anniversary of Invent Penn State’s LaunchBox and Innovation Hub Network. Learn more here. DuBOIS, Pa. — Located in the renovated Old Deposit Bank Building on East Long Avenue in DuBois, North Central PA LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois is providing a boost to Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties. Since opening its 5,800-square-foot facility in November 2019, it has helped 450 entrepreneurs, students, staff and faculty members. It also has leveraged more than $1.8 million in total external funds, consisting of grants and endowments. The innovation space has helped...