LaunchBox Ladies showcases innovation and women-owned businesses

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Five women entrepreneurs took the stage at Penn State Lehigh Valley on June 24 to pitch their businesses during the fourth annual LaunchBox Ladies Pitch Competition, an annual event designed to help women founders gain visibility, receive expert feedback and compete for funding to grow their businesses.

Hosted by the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, the competition brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, mentors and community members for an evening celebrating innovation, collaboration and the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Lehigh Valley.

Each finalist delivered a five-minute presentation followed by up to five minutes of questions from a panel of judges. Businesses were evaluated on the strength of their business concept, the problem being solved, market opportunity, business model, presentation and responses during the question-and-answer session. Audience members also participated by voting electronically for the Audience Choice Award.

This year's finalists represented a wide range of industries and business ideas:

• Ali “Amac” McGuire, founder of Amaculent Mindset, which focuses on mindset, music and motivation.

• April Schiel, founder of Empowering Transit, a nonmedical wheelchair transportation service.

• Lisa Pammer, founder of Green Pond Packaging, a wholesale supplier of compostable packaging products.

• Virginia Ellen, founder of Hangout for Art, which promotes creativity, artistic expression and community engagement through accessible art experiences.

• Donna Boden, owner of The Happy Mixer franchise, a gluten-free bakery business.

Virginia Ellen earned both the Grand Prize, receiving $2,500 and tax preparation services for 2026, and the Audience Choice Award, which included an additional $1,000 prize. April Schiel received the Runner-Up Award and a $1,500 prize.

"This competition connects entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship and resources they need to transform ideas into thriving businesses," said Tina Richardson, chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley. "When we invest in women entrepreneurs, we strengthen local businesses, create new opportunities and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of our region."

Competitors were evaluated by a panel of regional business and entrepreneurship experts, including Deb Colitas of FocusPoint Communications; Tasemere Gathers of DMFirm LLC; Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker of TLJ Creative Group; Katie Kupstas of ICW Capital; and Rachael Wolfe of the Kutztown Small Business Development Center. Collectively, the judges brought expertise in communications, branding, entrepreneurship, economic development, investor readiness, marketing and small-business strategy.

In addition to the competition, the evening featured networking opportunities, vendor displays from current and past competitors, and an update from the 2025 LaunchBox Ladies grand prize winner, highlighting the continued impact of the program.

"LaunchBox Ladies is about far more than one evening of competition," said Cindy Evans, director of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox. "Our goal is to create an environment where women entrepreneurs can access mentoring, education, connections and encouragement throughout their business journey. Every founder who steps onto this stage becomes part of a community committed to helping one another succeed."

Evans also celebrated the continued growth of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, including its future presence in downtown Allentown, which will expand access to entrepreneurial programming, strengthen regional partnerships and create additional opportunities for entrepreneurs, students and community members.

The event also highlighted the upcoming LaunchBox Ladies Ambassador Circle fundraiser, scheduled for Oct. 1 at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The initiative brings together women leaders and community advocates to support year-round programming, mentorship and resources for women entrepreneurs across the region.

Lehigh Valley LaunchBox is part of the Invent Penn State initiative, a statewide network of innovation hubs that supports entrepreneurs through education, mentoring, business resources and community partnerships while helping strengthen local economies throughout Pennsylvania.