About LaunchBox
Schuylkill LaunchBox supports the local economy by providing programming, training, and mentorship for budding entrepreneurs and small business owners. It is part of the Invent Penn State program, Penn State's Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success.
Upcoming Workshops and Webinars
AI Training: Your First Digital Intern
October 21, 2026 | 12:00 p.m.
Build a Digital Intern in 30 Minutes or Less! We all wear many hats. Now it's time to give a few away.
Brad Zdenek, a dynamic leader in entrepreneurship and innovation at Penn State University will show you how to give all those monotonous, repetitive, and time consuming tasks to your very own Al agent.
He'll show you how easy it is to create one in 30 minutes, provide ideas and resources for more robust tasks, and provide examples of busy professionals like you who are benefiting from this technology.
Complimentary refreshments provided. Free to attend, but registration is required. For more information, contact Susan Williams.
Relationships That Scale: AI, Social Media, and Influencer Marketing for the Small Business Owner
November 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Live via Zoom
Relationships have always been how small businesses grow, and most owners know it. The problem is that no one has the hours to build and keep enough relationships.
In this session, Jim Lupkin, two time best selling author and Six Sigma Al Labs founder shows how:
- Al removes the busywork that crowds out relationship time
- Social media turns one conversation into many
- Influencer marketing works when you are a local business rather than a national brand
He'll also share how to:
- Find the trusted voices your customers already listen to
- Build real relationships with them and turn those relationships into referrals and reach
Attendees leave with a plain-language picture of where Al belongs in their business, a simple daily system for relationship building, and a way to start on all three the same week.
Free to attend, but registration is required for the zoom link. For more information, contact Susan Williams.
Reinventing Yourself at Any Age: Practical steps when considering your next chapter
December 3, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. | 101 Classroom Building
From television studios to college classrooms, entrepreneurship to hospitality, Jeannine Lesante George has spent more than 30 years building successtul careers across multiple industries. Along the way, she has learned that using the skills, experiences, and strengths she developed opened the door to new opportunities.
As a producer and host at SSPTV, professor at King's College, entrepreneur, marketer, and business owner, she has navigated numerous career transitions and discovered how each chapter prepared her for the next.
Join us for an inspiring conversation as Jeannine shares her career journey and how her skills carried over from one role to the next, what she learned from starting again, and four practical steps people can use when they're considering a new chapter.
Free to attend, but registration is required. For more information, contact Susan Williams.
Let's Talk Money: Bagels with a Business Banker
February 26, 2027 | 9:00 a.m.
In this casual fireside chat, M&T Bank professionals break down the basics of business banking, why separating finances matters, and what to know before applying for a loan. We'll also talk about fraud and scam protection strategies and online resources to continue your financial journey.
Our presenter, Alexis King supports seven M&T Bank branches throughout Schuylkill and Berks Counties. "I am passionate about helping local businesses grow by providing tailored financial solutions and serving as a trusted advisor to business owners across the communities I call home."
This session is perfect for anyone interested in making smarter financial decisions. Complimentary bagels and beverages provided. Free to attend, but registration is required. For more information, contact Susan Williams.
Resources for entrepreneurs
Resource Navigator: A searchable inventory of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem resources around our 21 innovation spaces across Pennsylvania.
Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic: This clinic allows Penn State Law students to represent entrepreneurs, startups, and nonprofit organizations in a setting similar to a small law firm.
Penn State Law Intellectual Property Clinic: This clinic provides Penn State Law students an opportunity to gain practice-ready skills in intellectual property law while assisting aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Penn State Dickinson Law’s “Inside Entrepreneurship Law” blog: This blog is designed to aid entrepreneurs and their counsel by providing information on relevant topics.
Penn State Libraries Business Research Services: This resource provides information on competition, consumer demographics, trends, attitudes and behavior data, and will help you determine market size, demand and segments. Also includes library resources to support entrepreneurial study.