HAZLETON, Pa. – The Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo, Esq. has announced its spring programming lineup, providing aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs alike a variety of innovative opportunities to discover their business breakthrough.
The following no-cost resources will be offered virtually beginning in January and are open to both members of the community and those affiliated with Penn State Hazleton:
Program offerings for small businesses
Jan. 11
This webinar, presented by PA CareerLink, will provide insight on several programs available to small businesses, including how to find qualified candidates for hire and how to train current employees. Topics include the on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, state/local partnership and the Reconnect, Engage, Advocate and Lead (REAL) program.
This program will be held at noon with an additional session conducted in Spanish to follow at 1 p.m.
Idea Design Lab
Jan. 19-Feb. 5
A three-week program aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs develop new business ideas and identify the next steps of the start-up process.
Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Additional sessions conducted in Spanish will be held on Fridays from 7-9 p.m.
Idea Test Lab
Feb. 23-March 20
A four-week program designed to teach entrepreneurs how to better understand customer problems, where to reach potential customers and how to identify the value they can provide to customers.
Sessions will run on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. Additional sessions held in Spanish will be held on Fridays from 7-9 p.m.
FastTrack Accelerator
April 7-Sept. 15
This 15-week program is designed to help avoid common startup mistakes, build an actionable plan to launch a business, test the market quickly and build a solution based on real customer feedback. Participants will receive weekly 1-on-1 coaching with experienced entrepreneurs and access to LaunchBox facilities for one year. Applications must be received by Saturday, March 20.
For details on how to register or to view the full schedule for each program, visit https://hazleton.launchbox.psu.edu/events.
For more information, contact LaunchBox Entrepreneurship Education Coordinator William Andahazy at [email protected] or 570-450-3135 or Entrepreneurial Facilitator Fermin Diaz at [email protected] or 570-450-3135.
About Hazleton LaunchBox:
Located at 13 W. Broad St. in Hazleton, the Hazleton LaunchBox is a no-cost startup accelerator and co-working space designed to provide early-stage startup companies with the support and resources needed to build a sustainable business and a viable plan for growth.
LaunchBox is a signature program of the Invent Penn State Initiative, a commonwealth-wide system to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success. The initiative, launched by Penn State President Eric Barron in 2015, redefines the University’s land-grant mission to include entrepreneurship and innovation programs, including the development of “innovation hubs” in Penn State Commonwealth Campus communities across the state.
Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and University-community collaborations to facilitate the process of turning ideas into viable products and services.
