UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State undergraduate student teams from any Penn State campus are invited to attend a virtual info session on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. to learn more about applying for the Invent Penn State Inc.U pitch competition.
Each year, six undergraduate student teams from across the commonwealth are selected to pitch their startups live during Penn State Startup Week, competing for cash prizes of $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 for first, second and third place, respectively. A Startup Spark award of $1,000 will also be awarded to one standout campus applicant for exceptional innovation and potential. Finalist teams gain invaluable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, a professionally produced marketing video, and opportunities to showcase their startup and build momentum.
The virtual information session will cover the application and selection process, what to expect from the competition, and give attendees the chance to ask any questions. Students interested should register here.
In the spring 2025 Inc.U Competition, student startup Joy Tac LLC, founded by Penn State Harrisburg student Erin Godfrey, won first place and $15,000. Joy Tac aims to revolutionize firearm retention for law enforcement with its patent-pending Single Press Angular Retention (SPAR) system.
"Receiving positive feedback from people outside the startup was a huge confidence boost,” said Godfrey. “The funding helped us complete product development and cover some patent and legal fees. Even though it was a competition, everyone was very welcoming, supportive, and eager to share advice — it truly felt like a community.”
Applications for the Inc.U Competition, which include a mandatory video submission, open on Jan. 12, 2026, and close on Jan. 18, 2026. Those interested can learn more and register for the information session on the Inc.U webpage.
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 cash prizes to the top three 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.
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The Inc.U Competition was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development.