It’s not just a minor, it’s a mindset.
Designed to give you experience solving real-world problems and prepare you to navigate an increasingly entrepreneurial world.
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Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor: Product Innovation Cluster
Are you ready to revolutionize your college experience?
Real-world problem solving
Project-based learning
Practical applications
About the Program
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Developing crucial skills, whether you plan to become a founder or bring the entrepreneurial mindset to your workplace
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Be fearless
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Fail forward
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Solve problems
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Create your future
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Product Innovation Entrepreneurship Certificate
Discover your entrepreneurial potential with the 9-credit Product Innovation Entrepreneurship Certificate. To earn this certificate, you need to complete ENGR 411 and choose two additional classes from the following options: ENGR 407, ENGR 310, and ENGR 415. In this program, you will learn to think creatively, tackle challenges, and lead with innovation. Whether you are looking to start your own business or introduce fresh ideas in an existing organization, this certificate will help you stand out by showcasing your entrepreneurial mindset and your ability to drive innovation.
The ENtern Program
The Entrepreneurship Intern (ENtern) Program pairs entrepreneurship students with startup companies in order to:
Gain exposure to the startup environment
Build their resumes and potentially identify future employment opportunities
Explore their entrepreneurship interests
Gain real-world experience at an early-stage venture
Top-Ranked Program
Penn State is currently ranked as the No. 23 school for undergraduate entrepreneurship studies in the United States, and No. 3 among schools in the Northeast, by The Princeton Review. In 2022, Penn State was ranked No. 21 on the national list.
Product Innovation Classes
Relevant learning for solving real-world problems.
All of the following courses are required to complete the Product Innovation Minor. To complete the Certificate, one must complete ENGR 411 and choose two of any of the courses marked with an asterisk.
If you are enrolled at a Commonwealth Branch Campus, you may take ENGR 310 and ENGR 411 online. If you are interested in completing the certificate or minor, get in touch with us via email at eship@engr.psu.edu.
ENGR 310*
Core Course 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership. Develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills in collaborative, problem-based projects, making friends with students from diverse majors. Create a businesses in the class and earn money!
MGMT 215
Core Course 2: Entrepreneurial Mindset. Learn to think like an entrepreneur in the broader context of social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, creative problem solving, opportunity recognition, and innovation.
ENGR 407*
Product Innovation Entrepreneurship: Enjoy immersive, practical entrepreneurial experiences. One of the most unique classes at Penn State. Declare the minor or certificate and sign up early, it’s always full!
ENGR 411
Business Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs: Learn business fundamentals with a start-up perspective from experienced entrepreneurs. It’s an MBA for entrepreneurs in a semester!
ENGR 415*
Technology Launch for Entrepreneurs: Develop business plans for an existing company of your choice as an intrapreneurial product manager and your own business as an entrepreneur. Learn the characteristics of an intrapreneurial company and find the company you want to work for!
ENGR 425
Core Course 3: New Venture Creation. Develop skills that are of high value in any workplace: leadership skills, self-efficacy, creativity and the ability to deal with ambiguity. Attain a working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional ways for identifying a new product or business opportunity, quantifying the potential, understanding the key competitive factors, researching the audience, and producing a convincing plan for financing and launch.
Updates
Student Entrepreneurs Soar at Penn State Pitch Competition
Penn State students from Engineering 310 shine at the LaunchBox and Nittany Entrepreneurs Society Pitch Contest
On April 16th, the Innovation Hub buzzed with energy as more than 100 students, faculty, and local business leaders gathered for the LaunchBox and Nittany Entrepreneurs Society pitch contest. The competition showcased the bold ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of Penn State’s brightest minds—and two standout projects from the Engineering 310 (EGNR 310) class took home top honors.
From Classroom to Cutting Edge: Penn State Students Innovate at Zoll Medical
What happens when classroom theory meets real-world innovation? Last month, a group of Penn State students found out firsthand on a field trip to Zoll Medical, a global leader in life-saving technology. The visit was not just a tour—it was the capstone experience for students who completed the Siemens Leading Through Innovation micro credential series.
Learn to Lead in a World That Needs Problem-Solvers. Get the Skills Companies (and Startups) Are Looking For
You started this journey with one course — and now, you’re just two classes away from earning your Certificate in Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship. That’s more than a credential — it’s proof that you’ve built real-world skills for a future that demands innovation, leadership, and agility.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us via email at eship@engr.psu.edu
Take a virtual tour of our facilities
Ted Graef
Director of Engineering Entrepreneurship
I have worked for several small companies and ran my own traffic equipment company for 20 years. I’m an expert in rapid product development and the business of startups. From these experiences, I know the entrepreneurial mindset will help you in life no matter what you do. What are you passionate about, and how can you apply the entrepreneurial mindset? How can you apply it to your lifelong goals? How can we help you to achieve these?
“The ENGR Entrepreneurship Program taught me how to produce results in a non-academic setting. Dealing with real companies taught me how to communicate my objective in a more convincing manner”.
Masen Nartatez Mechanical Engineering