Penn State SBDC Lines Up Six Entrepreneurship Events for November

Six featured events across four central Pennsylvania counties will mark Global Entrepreneurship Week at Penn State this November, with the Penn State Small Business Development Center organizing programming that stretches from Williamsport to State College to Lock Haven.

The schedule runs the gamut from a $100-ticket full-day conference to free small-business walking tours, according to the Penn State SBDC. Most events are free or low-cost, and several require registration.

What kicks off the week?

The series starts early, on Nov. 5, with the PM Exchange: One Year of Innovation at Williamsport LaunchBox, running 5 to 7 p.m. The event celebrates the first anniversary of the Williamsport LaunchBox, Penn College's hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. It's one of Invent Penn State's 24 LaunchBox and Innovation Network spaces across the commonwealth.

Attendees can tour the Makerspace, a creative area where tools, equipment and free supplies let students pursue their own projects. The Penn State SBDC and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce present the event. Tickets cost $10 for chamber members and $25 for non-members.

Where can business owners network?

Plenty of places. On Nov. 16, the Reedsville Takeover brings GEW Penn State to Mifflin County through a special edition of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce's monthly Entrepreneurial Meetup. It begins at Logan's Tavern, where from 6 to 8 p.m. attendees can meet owners and hear their entrepreneurial journeys. Guests are also encouraged to visit participating businesses, including the Melted Hive, East End Coffee, Stone House Market, Friendship Bookstore and Merchant Square. The event is free, with food and beverages available for purchase.

In State College, the Community Networking Event on Nov. 17 marks its fifth anniversary from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub downtown. Attendees can meet local resource partners over refreshments and anniversary cake while touring the six-story hub, home to Invent Penn State's Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank and OriginLabs. The CBICC, Penn State SBDC and Invent Penn State present the event, with support from the Centre Region Entrepreneur Network and Happy Valley Changemaker Collective. It's free, food and drink included, but registration is required.

Clinton County hosts the Connect & Grow Entrepreneur Luncheon on Nov. 18 at the Susquehanna Event Centre in Lock Haven, starting at 11 a.m. Attendees connect with entrepreneurs and resource partners before lunch prepared by Keystone Central School District Culinary Arts. From noon to 2 p.m., local small businesses and community leaders share their experiences, and attendees learn about resources available across Clinton County and Pennsylvania. The Penn State SBDC and Clinton County Economic Partnership present the free event; registration is required.

What's the centerpiece?

The WEconnect Conference on Nov. 19 bills itself as Happy Valley's largest gathering of entrepreneurs and business leaders. The full day at the Innovation Hub offers hands-on workshops, expert panels and networking, with 10 sessions to choose from. Organizers say the event puts founders, funders, local business organizations and Penn State experts in one place. A long partner list includes Happy Valley LaunchBox, Penn State SBDC, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA, Penn State Dickinson Law and Penn State Smeal College of Business. Tickets run $60, or $100 with a Business Showcase add-on, with catered breakfast, lunch and cocktail hour included.

That same evening, Lycoming County programming continues with Celebrating 50 Seasons of Community Theatre League, 5 to 7 p.m. in Williamsport. The free event includes networking, live performances, demonstrations and theater tours, with hors d'oeuvres included and drinks available for purchase.

Who backs the SBDC?

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers receive funding through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Community & Economic Development, from Penn State and from other state and federal sources. Nearly 1,000 local centers nationwide provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training. The Penn State SBDC serves Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Mifflin counties.

A full list of events across Pennsylvania is available through GEW Penn State, giving small-business owners a low-cost entry point into the region's startup networks ahead of the holiday shopping season.