Penn State Startup Week 2026

In this hands-on workshop, students learn how physical prototypes help reveal what customers think and feel in ways surveys and focus groups often cannot. Using quick, low-detail prototypes and 3D-printed examples, participants see how shape, feel, and appearance influence perceived value, brand image, and price expectations. Through short, interactive activities, students learn how marketers can use prototypes not only to test ideas, but also to gain practical market insight and support go-to-market decisions.

Join us for a luncheon conversation with Justin Rosenberg, Penn State alumnus and founder of honeygrow, as he shares the real story behind building a fast-growing restaurant brand. In this candid 20-minute talk, Justin will discuss what didn’t work, how and why he pivoted, and the critical thinking required to adapt when an original idea needs to change. His experience highlights a truth many founders learn the hard way: lasting businesses are built through iteration, resilience, and learning from failure. This session is designed to give startups and students practical insight into navigating uncertainty and making smarter decisions as ideas evolve. Founded in 2012, honeygrow is a Philadelphia-based fast-casual restaurant known for its customizable stir-fries, salads, and signature honeybar desserts made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The brand has grown to 71 restaurants across the East Coast, offering wholesome, health-forward options including vegan and gluten-free choices, while staying true to its mission of honest eating and thoughtful growth.

Schedule:
12:15-12:30 pm help yourself to a lunch of honeygrow favorites
12:30-12:50 pm presentation
12:50-1 pm questions
1-1:15 pm informal networking

Do you or a small team of students have a business idea or an active startup? Do you want advice and expertise from a successful entrepreneur? Here's your chance to have a 30-minute session with Eric Franchi.

If you want to apply for this meeting, please email [email protected] with the following information.

• First and last name
• Penn State email address
• Which campus do you attend
• Your major / field of study
• A paragraph on what you hope to gain from this session

After that, you will receive a confirmation email about whether your office hours request has been approved.

This time slot is reserved for in-person University Park students only.

If you are a student attending virtually from a Commonwealth Campus, please select Eric Franchi, Aperiam - Virtual Office Hours instead.

Do you or a small team of students have a business idea or an active startup? Do you want advice and expertise from a successful entrepreneur? Here's your chance to have a 30-minute session with Asher Carr.

If you want to apply for this meeting, please email [email protected] with the following information.

• First and last name
• Penn State email address
• Which campus do you attend
• Your major / field of study
• A paragraph on what you hope to gain from this session

After that, you will receive a confirmation email about whether your office hours request has been approved.

This time slot is reserved for in-person University Park students only.

If you are a student attending virtually from a Commonwealth Campus, please select Asher Carr, Get Forte - Virtual Office Hours instead.

Register here: https://invent.psu.edu/d2d-challenge/

The Dare to Disrupt Design & Build Challenge is a hands-on, team-based experience in which Penn State students turn ideas into a real-world build using professional prototyping tools at OriginLabs, located in the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College.

Over two guided build sessions, selected students will design, prototype, and fabricate a visually striking interpretation of the Dare to Disrupt podcast logo, then showcase it to alumni entrepreneurs, campus leaders, and peers. No prior design, prototyping, or entrepreneurship experience required. If you’re curious, creative, or hands-on, this is for you.

Spots are limited, apply today! The event will take place on Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26, from 2 – 5 pm at OriginLabs.

What does an international entrepreneurship program look like? Hear from a panel of faculty from the Smeal College of Business and University of Zagreb's Faculty of Organization and Informatics in Varazdin who will discuss last May's program in Croatia.

The Land Grant Startup Launch Competition aims to foster innovation in food and agriculture by supporting early-stage startups focused on sustainable business practices. The winning startup will receive a $50,000 investment from the Garber Venture Capital Fund to accelerate their growth and impact. The investment is intended to support scaling the business, furthering research and development, and contributing towards team expansion. All finalist teams will receive travel stipend and accommodations.