Global Entrepreneurship Week Penn State 2025 inspires entrepreneurs across state

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From Nov. 17-23, Penn State campuses and their surrounding communities buzzed with entrepreneurial activity during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Penn State 2025. The celebration offered a wide range of events to spark ideas and bring innovators together.  

Organized by the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the week included everything from networking events to local business walkthroughs to hands-on workshops for community entrepreneurs to learn, grow and connect. 

The annual Community Networking Event brought together more than 120 entrepreneurs, community members and resource partners at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub. Attendees toured state-of-the-art prototyping and fabrication space OriginLabs; enjoyed food and drinks from local businesses including Rumba and Soul, Sips & Giggles, and Sweets of Gold; and connected with local resources like Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and more. 

At the Entrepreneurial Performance Lab: A Lunch and Learn for Focus, Energy, and Proactive Leadership in Your Business event, Beth Shaha and Bobby Morgan of Live Prosperous walked a group of entrepreneurs through tips and tools for protecting energy and preventing burnout. 

“Leading the Entrepreneurship Performance Lab during GEW was powerful because it gave founders a rare moment to step out of reactive hustle and reconnect with the clarity, energy and alignment that fuel intentional leadership,” Shaha said. “My hope was that attendees walked away with practical tools to protect their peace and spot burnout early — and I left inspired by their honesty, courage and willingness to genuinely support one another.” 

Network & Connect at Bald Birds Brewing Co. provided business owners and community members alike the opportunity to meet and learn about local resources, including Ben Franklin Technology Partners of PA and the brand-new Williamsport LaunchBox supported by Ken and Kristie Healy, in a relaxed setting. 

“Jumping into Global Entrepreneurship Week alongside the expertise of the SBDC was electrifying for the Williamsport LaunchBox,” said Erin Shultz, manager of LaunchBox Operations at Williamsport LaunchBox. “More than just a celebration of business, this event was a vital catalyst for us to deepen our roots, ensuring that the path from idea to execution is paved with strong, accessible connections right here in the Williamsport community.” 

Learn more about the newest LaunchBox location at Pennsylvania College of Technology. 

On Friday, the W.E.Connect Conference brought together more than 250 individuals from across Happy Valley for a powerful day of connection, learning and empowerment. From expert-led breakout sessions on leadership, business growth and wellness, to the conference’s signature connection spaces and vibrant showcase of businesses, the event was designed to be both practical and inspiring. 

“Its success was reflected in the energy of the day where attendees felt connected to the entrepreneurial community, and hundreds of meaningful business connections were made,” said Elizabeth Hay, director of Happy Valley LaunchBox and organizer of W.E.Connect. “W.E.Connect isn’t just a conference, it’s a launchpad for long-term connection, visibility, collaboration and transformation for entrepreneurs and leaders in Happy Valley.” 

Mark your calendars now to join the fun and vibrance of GEW Penn State next year: Nov. 16-22, 2026. 

About the Penn State SBDC    

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development, through support from Penn State, and by other sources of state and federal funding. Full disclosures are available here.   

SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners. There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. The Penn State SBDC services Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Mifflin counties in Central Pennsylvania.