Invent Penn State Program
Invent Penn State accelerates economic growth by supporting research commercialization, entrepreneurship, and innovation through academic programming and statewide innovation spaces.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (annual activity and impact report) | December 2026 (full-length program report)
Funding Amounts: Annual allocation; amount varies based on Pennsylvania state budget recommendations and constraints
Summary: Supports entrepreneurship, startup training, and commercialization funding to turn research into products and services across Pennsylvania.
Key Information: Designated grantee is The Pennsylvania State University; funding, eligibility, and reporting are state budget dependent.
Description
Invent Penn State is a statewide initiative administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to accelerate economic development, job creation, and student career success. The program integrates entrepreneurship-focused academic programming, startup training and incubation, commercialization funding, and collaboration among universities, communities, and industries. Its mission is to help translate research discoveries into valuable products and services, benefiting both Pennsylvanians and the broader public.
The network includes over 21 LaunchBox and innovation spaces, offering no- or low-cost support and resources to Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and businesses regardless of Penn State affiliation. The program aims to identify service gaps for entrepreneurs, provide centralized support, and leverage additional public and private resources to expand entrepreneurial programming.
