news & events

Overview: Entrepreneurs will focus on developing their Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the simplest version of their product or service that solves the core problem for customers. This workshop is all about building something quickly that can be tested in the market, gathering real feedback, and using that data to improve the offering. Participants will learn how to: Identify the essential features and functions their MVP needs to provide value. Develop a step-by-step plan to build and launch the MVP. Test the MVP with early customers, using feedback to refine and iterate. Collect actionable insights from early users to improve their...

Please note that this workshop has been rescheduled to March 27, 2025 at 5 p.m. Overview: During this workshop, the focus is on building a marketing strategy to attract and engage your first customers. This workshop covers the fundamentals of digital and grassroots marketing, giving entrepreneurs practical, actionable tactics to create buzz, generate leads, and convert those leads into paying customers. Participants will explore: Develop a basic marketing strategy tailored to early-stage startups. Identify and leverage the right customer acquisition channels (social media, email, partnerships, etc.). Create compelling messaging and content that resonates with their target audience. Build an effective,...

The Brandywine LaunchBox partnered with the Great Valley LaunchBox and the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n) to present the LionCage Pitch Competition on Nov. 8. The event highlighted entrepreneurs and innovators across southeastern Pennsylvania. Hosted at Penn State Great Valley and presented in collaboration with United Way of Chester County, the one-day gathering offered new connections and access to inspiring creators and innovators who are transforming their industries and society. The LionCage Pitch Competition is a new event that features pitch presentations from entrepreneurs and startup companies who compete for cash prizes while making new...

Penn State Brandywine’s and Penn State Berks’ LaunchBoxes, powered by Penn State, collaborated with Penn State Great Valley to hold the fall 2024 Idea TestLab Pitch Competition on Nov. 4. Six startup entrepreneurs participated in the competition, which was held at Great Valley. The Idea TestLab is a six-week business accelerator program for early-stage entrepreneurs who want to explore their scalable idea or address a customer problem for a potential business. The Idea TestLab is a “customer discovery” investigation designed to help entrepreneurs better understand the customer problem they are trying to solve and how to provide value in a...

On September 24, the Brandywine LaunchBox was invited to table at The Global Impact Forum: Accelerating AI for Good conference in Philadelphia, presented by Global Silicon Valley and Penn State University. The conference brought together leaders in education, artificial intelligence, business, and many more. We are extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity to participate in community events and meet people who can benefit from our programs.