Sponsors
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Sponsorship opportunities for the 2022 Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference are available!
Questions? Reach out to Micah Whitfield at micah@pennstatevip.com or +1 (412) 228-3289
400+
Attendees40+
Investment FirmsWhy Attend?
The Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference is one of the largest tech startup conferences in the Mid-Atlantic. The conference highlights innovations from high growth and emerging markets including IT, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Healthcare, B2B and B2C among others. The 2022 conference is expected to be an even bigger draw than past years. We cannot wait to introduce you to these remarkable trailblazers and to celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that is embraced at Penn State.
Agenda
Tentative; Subject to change.
April 28th
8:00 am
Registration
11:00 am
Exhibits Open
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Luncheon & Student Startup Showcase
12:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Venture Connection - Round 1
Restricted to Pre-Selected Participants Only
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Session 1 - Breaking Down Barriers to Capital: New and Innovative Models for Creating More Equitable Access to Capital for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Session 2 - Small Market, Big Opportunities: The Wilkes-Barre Early Stage Technology Scene
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Penn State's Tech Tournament
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Tour of Penn State Innovation Hub
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Reception at the Federal Taphouse
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
After Party continues at the Federal Taphouse
April 29th
7:00 am - 2:30 pm
Registration & Exhibits Open
9:00 am - 11:15 am
Venture Connection - Round 2
Restricted to Pre-Selected Participants Only
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Session 3 - IP 101: What Every Startup Needs to Know About IP Protection
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Session 4 - Bootstrapping from $0 - $250 million in 6 years: How Tuft & Needle Disrupted and Catalyzed Change in the Mattress Industry
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Session 5 - Preparing for Exit Upon Entry
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
Luncheon
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Keynote Session - Penn State Unicorn Panel
2:20 pm - 2:30 pm
Closing Remarks
Conference Leadership
Venture Connection is the event at the center of the Penn State Venture & IP Conference. This event features investors hosting tables to meet with entrepreneurs that have been matched with them based on capital needs, industry and other key criteria. Sessions are broken into segments giving each investor the chance to meet with up to a dozen capital-seeking, well-screened entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs do not need to be Penn State affiliated, but must apply to participate in Venture Connection. These applications are then reviewed by our Selection Committee to ensure that Venture Connection will be a quality showcase of promising technology ventures.
Entrepreneurs will be given time to give an “elevator pitch” to the investors. Investors will then share more about what they look for in prospects, and discuss their respective funds and investment strategies. If there is a connection, private one-on-one meetings can be scheduled.
Penn State's Tech Tournament is a showcase of disruptive technologies and early stage companies born of Penn State's robust and diverse research enterprise.
The path brilliant ideas must travel from discovery to commercialization is often circuitous, with many challenges along the way.
The courageous innovators featured in this tournament will have begun their journey toward commercialization with a passion for moving their ideas into the marketplace to solve real world problems.
Join us at the Tech Tournament where you will find opportunities for leadership, commercialization partnership and support that will help these innovators along their path.
Testimonials
"The 2021 Invent Penn State Conference once again provided a great platform to meet interest parties, update our knowledge, and practice our craft. I look forward to participating again in 2022."
- David Radin, Confirmed LLC
"It's always so impressive how the entire Penn State Community – and the best and brightest in Pennsylvania and Northeast and Midwest – come together to learn from each other and seek to expand opportunities. the IPSVIP is a 'go to' event and truly does showcase the ingenious power of partnership."
- Brain Slawin, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
"It was my first time out pitching a business idea. The staff was very supportive, my coaches were helpful, and the meetings were great."
- Zave Smith, xbound
"Invent Penn State has become an essential 'must see' event for investors that introduces promising start-ups and promotes conversations about topics that impact the start-up ecosystem."
- Don Morrison, BlueTree Allied Angels
Accommodations
We have a room block available at the Penn Stater Hotel available on Wednesday, April 27th and Thursday, April 28th.
To reserve your room, please visit: thepennstaterhotel.psu.edu click "Book Now" or call (800)-233-7505.