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University programme · State College, Pennsylvania, United States

Summer Founders Program

Invent Penn State's 13-week full-time summer programme in State College for startups with a Penn State student founder, with a US$15,000 equity-free grant and funding for a one-semester intern.

Status unknown Run by Invent Penn State, hosted by Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank

Visit the programme's site

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
US$15,000 US$15,000 equity-free grant
Instrument
Grant
Equity taken
None (equity-free) Takes no ownership or equity in the business or nonprofit
Programme fee
not published
Duration
13 weeks
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
Idea
Sectors
Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from
not published
Perks
  • Workspace at Happy Valley LaunchBox
  • Funding for a one-semester intern through the SEDTAPP ENtern Program

Teams spend the summer working at Happy Valley LaunchBox in State College. The 2026 cohort's FoundersFest showcase is on 4 September 2026.

Application dates

Status unknown

Dates not published.

Who can apply

  • At least one founder is a Penn State student in good standing when applying, from any campus including World Campus
  • The startup must be a US-based business; startups, social good and nonprofit ideas are welcome
  • Founders work full time (40 hours a week) on the venture and live around State College during the programme
  • Solo founders are funded, but teams of two or three are preferred
  • Stage: idea

What founders should check

  1. The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It runs in person in State College. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. Dates for the next cohort are not published.

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