Penn State Scranton recently opened the Scranton LaunchBox, a pre-incubator and accelerator that will help advance local entrepreneurial concepts to business plan development with the help of the resources of Penn State.
The no-cost startup accelerator and co-working space is designed to provide early-stage startup companies with support and resources to help them build a sustainable business and a plan for growth. It is open to community members and those affiliated with Penn State.
“The LaunchBox will provide access to Penn State Resources, including but not limited to: labs and equipment at Penn State Scranton, faculty consultants, students as entrepreneurs, students as interns for product or market development support, research capacity, intellectual property guidance, technical assistance, and technology transfer support for commercializing and licensing,” Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan Wafa said. “We will also provide access to comprehensive one-on-one business development and support services.”
The Scranton LaunchBox has already assisted several local entrepreneurs. It is one of 21 innovation hubs in Penn State campus communities across Pennsylvania.
The Scranton Launchbox was planned in part by the United Neighborhood Centers, the Scranton Area Foundation, People’s Security Bank, the Scranton Community Foundation, Women In Philanthropy, the Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise at Wilkes University, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Family Business Alliance, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, S.C.O.R.E. Mentors of NEPA, the Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton, TecBridge and DX Dempsey.
Penn State Scranton received a $50,000 seed grant from the Invent Penn State Initiative to develop the Scranton LaunchBox.