Penn State Startup Week 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

2:00pm EDT

The Dare to Disrupt Design & Build Challenge - Part 1 (see description to register)

Wednesday March 25, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Sarah Fasco

Student Engagement and Outreach Coordinator, OriginLabs

Sarah Fasco is the Student Engagement and Outreach Coordinator for OriginLabs. Before joining the team, she worked at a makerspace at Virginia Tech, where she helped manage the studio, provided project consultations and tool trainings, and built displays for the space.

Tristan Hess

Service Bureau Manager, OriginLabs

Tristan Hess is the Service Bureau Manager for OriginLabs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a master’s in education focused on art and design. Before coming to OriginLabs, he worked for an independent school in Colorado, where he taught architecture, design... Read More →

Jose Nunez

Manager, The Pennsylvania State University, OriginLabs

Jose Nunez is the Shop Manager for OriginLabs. Jose earned his MFA in Production Technology from Ohio University (2017), and his BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland (2010). Jose used to work as a Properties Master in professional regional theatre, building and maintaining... Read More →

Wednesday March 25, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
OriginLabs 123 South Burrowes Street, State College, PA 16801

In-person