Invent Penn State

Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success. Launched in 2015 by Penn State President Emeritus Eric Barron, Invent Penn State is a $30 million initiative that redefined the university’s land grant mission to include entrepreneurship and innovation programs, tools and resources that accelerate the movement of great ideas to the marketplace and make a substantial economic development impact in Pennsylvania and beyond. Invent Penn State, hosted in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, is a coordinated effort that spans the university’s 24 campuses, all academic colleges, including the College of Medicine and Penn State Law, and our numerous institutes and centers. Countless Penn Staters, community leaders and industry partners have contributed to developing what quickly has become a burgeoning entrepreneurship ecosystem at Penn State, one that provides resources and support to faculty, staff, student and community innovators. Entrepreneurs in all 21 Penn State undergraduate communities now enjoy free access to accelerator programs, coworking space, legal and IP advice, mentorship, rapid prototyping, pitch competitions and funding. Many thanks to Penn State senior vice president for research Lora G. Weiss and her team, Commonwealth Campus chancellors and their innovation space teams, and our many collaborators who are developing new resources daily. The Invent Penn State initiative would not be possible without this ingenious power of partnership.