WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks will host a slate of events from March 15-22 in honor of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC, a University-wide event that takes place every spring and brings leading minds in entrepreneurship and innovation to Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. The week features entrepreneurial workshops, networking events, student pitch competitions, and presentations from startup founders and corporate innovators, including many Penn State alumni.
Penn State Berks events are sponsored by the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Center located at 111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building on campus and the Berks LaunchBox, located within the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading at 201 Washington St., Suite 105, Reading, PA. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Friday, March 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
K-12 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Design Thinking Workshop
Flemming CEED Center
Seventh grade students from Southern Middle School who are participating in the college’s FiERCE (Futures in Engineering: Role-models Can Empower) program will learn about the entrepreneurship and innovation programs offered. Students will also learn how to turn their ideas into prototypes. This event is not open to the public.
Monday, March 18, 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
3D Prototype Printing Workshop
Flemming CEED Center
Participants will learn how to prototype as part of a three-step process: sketching, hands-on rough prototyping, and 3D printing.
Monday, March 18, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Augmented Innovation Workshop
Flemming CEED Center
The workshop explores how to use generative AI in entrepreneurial ventures. Participants will learn how to use generative AI to pitch new products and to evaluate product and service innovations using De Bono's Six Thinking Hats. The workshop will also discuss the ethical implications and challenges of using AI in entrepreneurship and innovation. Attendees must bring their own devices.
Wednesday, March 20, 6 to 7 p.m.
Stakeholder Stories Webinar
Berks LaunchBox
This webinar will deliver an overview, highlighting the paramount importance of understanding and articulating your organization’s story. Lori B. Donofrio-Galley, founder of The Right Angle – Strategic Storytelling, where she helps make businesses and nonprofits visible through strategic storytelling that elevates brand identity and reveals the human identity behind the brand, will lead the webinar. To register, visit the website.
Friday, March 22, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Building a Strategic Network: Social Network concepts and Network Analysis Workshop
Flemming CEED Center
This workshop will introduce basic concepts of social network and network analysis and how these concepts can apply to developing your personal brand and professional networks on LinkedIn.
For more information about Penn State Startup Week, view the full schedule of Startup Week Events.
About Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC
Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC is a University-wide event that takes place every spring and brings some of the leading minds in entrepreneurship and innovation to Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. By connecting students with innovative alumni and pioneers who are achieving success in a variety of disciplines — through startup initiatives of their own, or with new ventures in already established organizations — Penn State Startup Week inspires students to go beyond what is expected of them and expand their minds to think more broadly in whatever career path they choose.
