We’re Looking Ahead!

              From Executive Director Donna Bon      

We are excited about the opportunities for our students and community members as we start this new academic year! To incorporate all of these entrepreneurial events and activities in a central news outlet, the Entrepreneurship & Innovation e-newsletter was born! We know you’ll enjoy reading about our new business incubator space Altoona LaunchBox and all that’s happening there, upcoming events and programs at The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and stories about our students involved in the Sheetz Fellows Program, Trading Club, and various competitions.  And we invite you to follow us on social media – there’s always something newsworthy being posted.  Join our team in any of these entrepreneurial opportunities throughout the coming year. It’s an exciting time to be an entrepreneur in Altoona!


Altoona LaunchBox Opens Doors to Altoona Community

Altoona LaunchBox is open and welcoming innovators to its 12th Avenue location in the heart of downtown Altoona.  It is a no-cost startup accelerator and co-working space designed to provide early-stage startups with the support and resources they need to build a sustainable and scalable business and a viable plan for growth. The space and support are open to everyone – community members and those affiliated with Penn State. Altoona LaunchBox is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative, and one of thirteen innovation hubs located in Penn State campus communities across Pennsylvania.

Calling All Entrepreneurs:
Boot Camp is Starting!

The first session of the free Penn State Altoona Boot Camp is kicking off October 4, 2017. There are eight 2-hour sessions, which meet in downtown Altoona on Wednesday nights from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Altoona LaunchBox, 1331 12th Avenue, first floor.

The boot camp will help provide entrepreneurs of all stages of development with the resources and education they need to help turn their idea into a successful business.  This 8-week class will help you become business-ready by giving you pro bono professional support.  There is no cost to participate and you could win up to $10,000!

Contact Paul Cooney at PMC100@psu.edu or 814-949-5332 today to apply.


First Step Program in Starting a Business

Thursday, October 26, 2017
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Altoona LaunchBox
Free and open to the public


Penn State Altoona is partnering with the Small Business Development Corporation to offer the First Step Program. This workshop covers the basic information needed to start a business such as business and marketing plans, financing, types of organizations, and rules and regulations. This is a very basic training program to give attendees a better understanding of the various aspects associated with starting a business.

The program is free, but we ask you to pre-register by contacting Sue Stevens at SAS79@psu.edu or 814-940-3401.


Sheetz Fellows Program

The Sheetz Fellows have kicked off the academic year with major class projects in action!

  • The seniors are creating a marketing plan to have the Pink Zone (PZ) brand more recognizable, increase awareness, and enhance PZ’s signature event: Lady Lion Basketball Play4Kay game, benefiting PZ.
  • The juniors are working with Rosehill Cemetery to restructure their business and maintain the grounds. Students are drafting a business plan with long- and short-term goals.
  • The sophomores are working with the Penn State Altoona Alumni Society to grow the 2018 Winter Plunge event, by focusing on the event’s social media presence and event attendance. The sixth annual Winter Plunge event will be held on the Ivyside campus on Sunday, January 28, 2018.
  • The freshmen are learning what it means to be a Sheetz Fellow. Stay tuned for more on their class project during the spring semester.

 

LaunchBox Live


Tuesday, October 24th
5:00 p.m.
Altoona LaunchBox
1331 12th Avenue
Downtown Altoona

Speaker:  Randy Tarpey
Topic: Bitcoin

LaunchBox Live is a community group established to engage local entrepreneurs through monthly programs featuring varying business-related topics. This informal program is open to everyone and is a great way to gain insight into what local entrepreneurs are doing and how you can implement new ideas to grow or start your business.

For more information, contact Rachelle Reasy at rachelle@KIZResources.com or 814-296-2414.


From Student to CEO!

Presented by The Blair County Chamber of Commerce

Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a fun program that will teach your junior high or senior high school student to start and run their very own IRS-registered company.  Students will meet as a class to develop their business idea, develop a plan together, and pitch to a panel of investors for start-up funding. This program is open to students between the ages of 11 and 18. YEA! is a program through The Blair County Chamber of Commerce and hosted at The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

For more information, visit yeausa.org online.


Entrepreneurs-In-Residence


Mr. Steve Betza
Corporate director of the Future Enterprise Initiative at Lockheed Martin


Mr. Don Cella (right)
Owner of Limelight Tile & Ceramics, and
Sheetz Fellows alumni

Penn State Altoona students had the opportunity to meet with two entrepreneurs in September. The EIR program provides students with opportunities to expand their network and get immediate feedback on their ventures or entrepreneurial career goals and aspirations.

Sheetz Fellows at MS LobsterFest


Servant Leadership is a big component of the Sheetz Fellows Program.  It gives students the opportunity to seek out ways to help those in the community.  By helping others, students not only get to make a difference in someone’s life but also have the chance to develop their own character and leadership skills.