UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend the 2026 Invent Penn State Inc.U pitch competition on Saturday, March 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. Six undergraduate student teams will compete for cash prizes of up to $15,000.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award, which comes with a $2,500 cash prize.
The event will take place at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College. Whether a supporter, investor or simply curious, this event offers a chance to watch student startup pitches and connect with other members of the innovation community. Those interested in attending should register on the event page.
Selected from a competitive applicant pool representing Penn State campuses across the commonwealth, the six competing student startup teams are:
The Eleventh Round
founded by Kevin Leka, Penn State Abington
The Eleventh Round is a centralized platform supporting combat sports athletes with mentorship, mental performance and career planning resources beyond competition.
Now You Know
founded by Joseph Laezza, College of Engineering, and Charlie Jacobs, Smeal College of Business
Now You Know is a social card game that improves communication by having players guess how others think and feel, then revealing the truth through fast, engaging play.
SlammedU
founded by Niklas Restrepo, Smeal College of Business
SlammedU connects incoming college students before they arrive on campus through verified, school-specific social communities that turn online engagement into real friendships.
Surge Events
founded by Lance Robert Streuber and Ishaan Narang, College of Engineering
Surge Events uses artificial intelligence to continuously find local events and manage tourism calendars at scale, reducing labor costs and better reflecting what’s happening in the community.
Vayla
founded by Maya Anderson, Eberly College of Science, and Riley Maynard, College of Information Sciences and Technology
Vayla designs durable, biodegradable hair accessories that solve everyday hair frustrations while being both functional and beautiful.
Whirl Pong
founded by Dillon Fink, College of Engineering
Whirl Pong modernizes classic cup pong with a rotating, rechargeable system that adds motion, excitement and competition without changing how the game is played.
In addition to competing for prize money, teams received valuable support leading up to the final pitch competition, including:
- Guidance from experienced business mentors
- A custom, professionally produced marketing video
- Access to past winners for insight and advice
- Opportunities to showcase their business ideas
Register today to attend the 2026 Invent Penn State Inc.U Pitch Competition and be part of an afternoon of bold ideas, entrepreneurial energy, and student-driven innovation.
About the Inc.U Competition
Inc.U is a signature program of Invent Penn State and an annual showcase of student innovation across the commonwealth. Every spring, the Inc.U Competition awards up to $30,000 in funding to the top six student startup teams at the culminating pitch event that takes place during Penn State Startup Week. This funding, coupled with ongoing pitch training and startup support services, enables student entrepreneurs to take the next step in turning their daydream into a reality.
Visit the Invent Penn State website to learn more.
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development.