Program connecting startups with investors accepting applications

Venture Connection, a matchmaking event between capital-seeking startups and venture capital investors, is currently accepting applications.

Participants are pre-matched based on numerous criteria, including industry and capital needs.

Investors can register to host a Venture Connection table, while entrepreneurs also can be nominated to participate. The application deadline is March 4.

More than 800 meetings between entrepreneurs and investors will take place during the Invent Penn State Venture and IP Conference on April 28 and 29. Participants are not required to be affiliated with Penn State to apply.

During the two-day conference, investors will discuss funding and investment strategies while entrepreneurs can give an elevator pitch to investors. If there is a connection, private one-on-one meetings can be scheduled.

The tech startup conference showcases innovations in various high-growth and emerging markets, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, business-to-business, business-to-consumer, energy, health care, and information technology.

It is attended by more than 600 people, more than 70 startup ventures, and more than 40 investment firms from across the United States.

Other events include interdisciplinary panels and programs, a competition among faculty-based startups to win up to $75,000, and one-minute pitches from Penn State’s top student entrepreneurs.

The conference is open to the public, but registration is required.