Altoona LaunchBox 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. It is 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.
Ribbon cutting for Altoona Launchbox. Thursday, June 1, 2017.
A Penn State program for the entire community.
Altoona LaunchBox is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative, a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success.
The “hub” for local entrepreneurs.
Our mission is to be the “hub” that connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities they need to build a sustainable and scalable business with a viable plan for growth.
Altoona startups start here.
Get the resources, support, and space you need to de-risk your business and accelerate your entry to market.
No-cost services available to all.
Our services and programs are available at no cost to local entrepreneurs, Penn State students, faculty, and staff.
Expert Network
Our extensive network of advisors provides guidance on strategy and next steps. Our goal is to help startups to more quickly overcome the challenges they face.
Co-working Space
Find a quiet place to work, network with others, or schedule a conference room for a private meeting.
Check out this upcoming event at the Launchbox!
Altoona LaunchBox Speaker Series
Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures:
Angel Funding
Presented by Kevin Ramsier, CEO of SIER Capital
Thursday, April 19, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Altoona LaunchBox
1331 12th Avenue, Suite 103
Altoona, PA 16601
COST: Free and open to those who want to start their own business
RSVP: Email sas79@psu.edu. Seating is limited to 25.
As the founder of SIER Capital, KEVIN RAMSIER brings a unique perspective to business acquisition, management, and growth. Ramsier started his career at several global investment management firms, he successfully raised over $2 billion in assets, and became a partner of one of the largest investment firms in the world.
Ramsier then made several angel investments in small firms and used his sales and marketing experience to rapidly increase revenues and profitability. Eventually he stepped into a CEO role inside one of his portfolio companies and expanded the company’s footprint across the country. Ramsier is a two-time honoree of INC Magazine’s list of fastest growing private companies, and was chosen as one of only 100 companies to make The Build 100 list of businesses that showed sustainable growth in and out of the recession.
Ramsier’s ability to bring the disciplined approach of a large investment firm to lower-middle market investments has produced impressive results. Today, with multiple exits throughout a wide variety of industries, SIER Capital is positioned to purchase, build, and expand a new group of portfolio companies. With a focus on scalable business models, strong management teams, and sales enhancement, Ramsier in constantly looking for opportunities where SIER Capital can add tremendous value.
Ramsier graduated with honors from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in Economics; he sits on Ohio Wesleyan’s Advisory Board for the Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship. He is a frequent speaker across the country on business growth, value maximization, and exit planning. He has appeared in Bloomberg, Reuters, and many other news outlets as a trusted source for commentary on M&A activity in a variety of industries. He is the author of Don’t Sell Your Business, Yet. and he holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 79 licenses.