Venture Connection, an investor-to-entrepreneur matchmaking event, will take place in October during the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference, Penn State officials said.
The conference, held Oct. 16 and 17 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa., will feature the Venture Connection, as well as other entrepreneur-centered events. Venture Connection will pair up entrepreneurs and investors based on industry and capital needs, officials said, as well as considering other key criteria. Officials estimate more than 800 meetings between entrepreneurs and investors will take place during the event.
“Venture Connection was a fantastic opportunity to connect with a diverse group of investors,” said Jill Michal, co-founder and CEO of Kith + Kin. “The connections felt as if they were curated just for me. The team did a wonderful job matching focus, stage, and investment thesis across a wide array of companies.”
Entrepreneurs will be paired with investors then given time to give an elevator pitch to them. At the same time, investors will share what they are looking for in prospects and investment strategies. If the two come together, they can further arrange private meetings.
The Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference is a tech startup conference that draws more than 400 attendees, over 60 startup ventures and more than 40 investment firms from across the country. The conference showcases innovations from high-growth and emerging markets. Entrepreneurs interested in participating can apply or be nominated to participate by August 31. Investors can also register to host a Venture Connection table.