Economic Development

Opinion: Invent Penn State should get the funding it needs to reinvigorate innovation in the state

Harrisburg needs to recognize the importance of the university’s LaunchBox and Innovation Network – and invest in it.

Students between class at Penn State University.

Students between class at Penn State University. John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

There has been a lot of attention recently in the media and in the government on the need for investment in Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, particularly in the rural areas of our great commonwealth. Much of this attention stems from a recent report by Mark Muro and Robert Maxim from Brookings Metro highlighting the stark disparities between economic development in metropolitan areas versus rural regions of Pennsylvania. I was pleased to see the Senate Republican Policy Committee hold a hearing on this report and several media outlets cover it. 

However, it’s crucial that we not only acknowledge these disparities but also take concrete steps to bridge the gap. That’s where Invent Penn State comes in, poised to redefine our state’s future. 

Invent Penn State is more than just an initiative; it’s a transformative force that’s reimagining Penn State’s historic land-grant mission. Our mission is to ensure that the promise of innovation and entrepreneurship reaches every corner of Pennsylvania, including our rural heartlands. 

With 96% of Pennsylvanians living within 30 miles of a Penn State campus, the university has a unique opportunity to unlock the state’s innovation potential. Invent Penn State is the key, providing Pennsylvania entrepreneurs – regardless of their university affiliation – with free access to accelerator programs, co-working spaces, legal and intellectual property counsel, mentorship, rapid prototyping facilities, pitch competitions and vital funding resources to de-risk and accelerate startup ventures. 

The Invent Penn State LaunchBox and Innovation Network, a collective of 21 innovation spaces strategically situated near Penn State campus locations, enables access to the more rural areas of the state that are lagging in innovation, and are on the front lines of this transformation. Since their inception in 2015, these LaunchBox locations have been instrumental in empowering entrepreneurs, engaging with their communities, offering legal and intellectual property guidance, nurturing startups and fostering collaborations. The numbers speak for themselves: 

• 7,021 entrepreneurs supported

• 20,366 Penn State faculty and students engaged

• 5,534 ventures provided legal and IP advice

• 819 individuals graduating from startup programs

• 528 supported product development projects

• The creation of 411 new Pennsylvania companies, resulting in 515 jobs

However, for all our success and impact, we face a challenge. Despite the undeniable economic and social benefits that the LaunchBox and Innovation Network has brought to our state, as well as recommendations put forth by Brookings in their October 2022 Innovation Report, modest state funding for Invent Penn State for the 2023-24 fiscal year is in jeopardy. This funding is not just about supporting an initiative; it’s about recognizing that innovation is the lifeblood of our state’s prosperity. 

We are encouraged by the recent announcement from the governor’s office regarding a new strategic commitment to economic development across the state. We strongly believe that maintaining a central focus on rural economic prosperity programs is crucial to the success of this effort. We urge the Shapiro administration and the General Assembly to recognize the vital importance of Invent Penn State’s LaunchBox and Innovation Network and to make the necessary investments. It’s not just about supporting our work; it’s about expanding the reach and influence of Invent Penn State to every corner of our great state, particularly in our rural communities. The potential is limitless, and it’s time to seize it. 

Invent Penn State is committed to identifying and addressing emerging local ecosystem needs and bridging any gaps we encounter. Our positioning allows us to lead the charge in regional ecosystem development across Pennsylvania. 

We are unwaveringly dedicated to partnering with the state to breathe new life into Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, making it a vibrant and inclusive force that benefits everyone, everywhere. Let’s work together to turn the potential into progress, to turn innovation into opportunity and to make Pennsylvania a shining example of what’s possible when we invest in our future. 

Dr. James L. Delattre is associate vice president of research and director of the Penn State Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization.

NEXT STORY: Opinion: It’s long past time to fully fund PA’s indigent defense systems

X
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Learn More / Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Accept Cookies
X
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.

Allow All Cookies

Manage Consent Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies - Always Active

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data, Targeting & Social Media Cookies

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. These cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using this toggle switch. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. Additionally, you may contact our legal department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My Rights link

If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (such as a plugin), we have to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the web. This may affect our ability to personalize ads according to your preferences.

Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.

If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a privacy request at our Do Not Sell page.

Save Settings
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Cookie List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Functional Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Performance Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Social Media Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Targeting Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.