Fuel Your Startup Dreams: Penn State’s Lion Launchpad Microgrants Help Students Turn Ideas Into Thriving Ventures

Entrepreneurship begins with a vision. Advancing that vision into reality requires resources. With this in mind, Penn State’s Lion Launchpad Microgrant program offers entrepreneurial student teams financial support to bring their ideas to life.

Grants up to $500 provide critical funding to cover expenses like prototype materials, design and coding services, licenses, and trademarks, keeping ideas moving toward the marketplace.

One inspiring example of a mincrogrant’s impact is BustaBoyz, a venture led by Robert Wellmon. Wellmon launched BustaBoyz with the goal of creating a thriving furniture resale business. Initially, like many startups, his team faced challenges in scaling their operations. Lion Launchpad Microgrant provided crucial funding to support their growth.

Since receiving a microgrant, BustaBoyz has made major strides:

• Securing a New Space: The team signed a 2-year lease for a combined workshop and showroom in August, providing the infrastructure needed to expand their operations.
• Strengthening Their Workforce: They hired an additional part-time employee, boosting their cleaning and marketing efforts.
• Building a Digital Presence: By getting on Facebook and Instagram, they have enhanced their brand visibility and connected with a larger audience.

BustaBoyz can now hold more inventory, clean furniture more efficiently, and achieve faster turnaround times—selling items within a week. The grant not only enabled logistical improvements but also provided the team with the opportunity to create meaningful work experiences for students.

“The microgrant has given so many guys on the team a great opportunity to make a living off this operation,” Wellmon shared.

Lion Launchpad is playing a vital role in nurturing entrepreneurial ambition for students, providing support that takes ideas from concept to execution and fostering a culture of innovation and hands-on learning. Ventures like BustaBoyz are proving that this support can be transformative, enabling startups to overcome initial hurdles and build sustainable operations. Through initiatives like the Lion Launchpad Microgrant, Penn State continues to empower its students to dream big and create real-world solutions—turning visions into thriving ventures.

If your early-stage student startup  is ready to advance from vision to reality, apply for a microgrant here:  https://bit.ly/lionlaunch.