Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Potential with the Summer Founders Program
What is the Summer Founders Program?
The Summer Founders Program is designed to support Penn State student startups by providing the necessary funding, mentorship, and resources to help them grow. Open to students from all Penn State campuses, including World Campus, this program runs from mid-May to mid-August. Participants are required to commit to working full-time (40 hours per week) on their projects throughout the summer.
Applications close on March 10, 2025, at midnight. The application is available here.
Why Should You Apply?
- Funding: Each selected team receives a $15,000 equity-free grant, allowing you to focus entirely on your venture without worrying about financial constraints. Students in the Product Innovation Cluster of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Minor who are selected will receive an additional $5,000 of funding from the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program.
- Mentorship: Benefit from weekly meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. These sessions are designed to help you navigate challenges, share successes, and learn from others.
- Resources: Gain access to the Happy Valley LaunchBox facility, including team rooms, free Wi-Fi, coffee, and printing. You’ll also have access to various digital platforms and software tools essential for your startup’s growth.
- Networking: Connect with a network of over 100 advisors who can provide valuable insights and accelerate your venture’s progress.
- Intern Support: Receive funding for an intern for one semester through the Engineering Entrepreneurship ENtern Entrepreneur Intern Program, giving you additional hands to help with your project.
Success Stories
Last year, six student startups participated in the program, including Nicholas Cole, a 2024 Penn State College of Engineering graduate. Nicholas founded Bool LLC, a mobile application that provides real-time wait time predictions for popular bars. “What I got the most out of the experience was all of the introductions and the stories,” said Cole. “We had the pleasure of meeting many successful entrepreneurs and hearing how they got to where they are. It’s incredible to hear how someone can build something from nothing, and so many of these people got their start at Happy Valley LaunchBox.”
Get Involved
The Summer Founders Program is made possible through the generous donations of successful alumni entrepreneurs. If you’re interested in supporting this program, please contact Heather Winfield at hbw11@psu.edu.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to advance your startup, make an impact, and join a community of like-minded innovators. Apply now and make your summer a season of growth and success!
For more information, visit the Summer Founders Program page.
