CIE - Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

10/21/2026

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is giving families a chance to turn big ideas into real businesses through its new Side Hustle School: Family Edition. In this episode of WITF's "The Spark," instructor Jay Jayamohan discusses the seven-week, hands-on program, which brings high school students together with parents, grandparents, or caregivers to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Working side by side, families will build practical skills, from identifying problems and researching potential customers to developing business plans, setting prices, marketing products, and pitching ideas. Jayamohan also explains why learning to experiment, adapt, and even change direction is an essential part of becoming an entrepreneur.

https://www.witf.org/2026/10/19/harrisburg-university-program-helps-families-turn-ideas-into-businesses/?fbclid=IwY2xjawVEp8dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR720aU7pc2qY8OYXw9c5OAELstycDwo1fa1yfjvnyes0bRSxpoaAtTZ08nSeg_aem_QwyEnyMq59doy6VpFs4smw

aired; October 16, 2026Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is giving families a chance […]

10/07/2026

Side Hustle School: Family Edition is officially underway! And it wouldn’t be possible without the partners who helped make this program a reality.

A special thank you to GFT and JPL, as well as Eric and Patrice Pettis, our Presenting Sponsors, for investing in our students, families, and the entrepreneurial spirit of our community. Because of their support, 15 families will participate in this seven-week experience, working together to explore entrepreneurship, develop ideas, build financial and business skills, and turn those ideas into action.

We are truly grateful to have partners who believe in creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Thank you for helping Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship empower families to dream, build, and grow ... together.

09/28/2026

📣 JOIN US NEXT WEEK for our first-ever Merge STATE COLLEGE event! Happening on Friday, October 2nd, immediately following the conclusion of the Invent Penn State Venture & IP conference on campus, we'll be downtown at the Barron Innovation Hub (home of the Happy Valley Launchbox) - RSVP (free!) at→ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992830141599

~ AT THE EVENT ~
5:00pm - Drinks and Hors D’oeuvres
5:20pm - Welcome & Introductions
5:30pm - Quick Elevator Pitches
5:50pm - Founder & Investor

🗓️ Join us to meet with fellow and , and to give your feedback to other who could use your insights—we can't wait to see you there!

09/23/2026

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Harrisburg University and InfraGard Central PA are hosting the inaugural Outrun the Hackers 5K on Wednesday, October 21 at 3 PM on City Island in Harrisburg.

Run or walk, take on cyber-themed challenges and help support the Harrisburg University Cybersecurity Student Scholarship Fund.

Register today: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harrisburg/OutrunTheHackers5K

09/15/2026

Free!! Entrepreneurship Opportunity for Students & Families...

The HU Side Hustle School

Beginning October 14, Harrisburg University is hosting the Side Hustle School — a free, seven-week entrepreneurship program where students, aged 12 to 16, and a parent, guardian or caregiver work together to develop an idea and learn how to turn it into a real business opportunity! The concept is pretty simple: give young people an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship by actually doing it — with their family involved in the process.

From October 14 through November 25, participating families will work with HU and CIE instructors, entrepreneurs and mentors through hands-on workshops covering entrepreneurial thinking, business model development, financial literacy, branding and marketing, social media/e-commerce and pitching.

There is no cost to participate!!

Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family.

Program: Side Hustle School – Family Edition

Dates & Times: October 14 – November 25, 2026, 1 day/week on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Length: 7 weeks
Location: PMI - 350 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill PA 17011

Cost to Families: FREE
Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family

Learn More / Apply Through The Link: https://lnkd.in/eXAQajeG

09/11/2026

Free!! Entrepreneurship Opportunity for Students & Families...

The HU Side Hustle School

Beginning October 14, Harrisburg University is hosting the Side Hustle School — a free, seven-week entrepreneurship program where students, aged 12 to 16, and a parent, guardian or caregiver work together to develop an idea and learn how to turn it into a real business opportunity! The concept is pretty simple: give young people an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship by actually doing it — with their family involved in the process.

From October 14 through November 25, participating families will work with HU and CIE instructors, entrepreneurs and mentors through hands-on workshops covering entrepreneurial thinking, business model development, financial literacy, branding and marketing, social media/e-commerce and pitching.

There is no cost to participate!!

Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family.

Program: Side Hustle School – Family Edition

Dates & Times: October 14 – November 25, 2026, 1 day/week on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Length: 7 weeks
Location: PMI - 350 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill PA 17011

Cost to Families: FREE
Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family

Learn More / Apply Through The Link: https://lnkd.in/eXAQajeG

09/08/2026

Free!! Entrepreneurship Opportunity for Students & Families...
The HU Side Hustle School

Beginning October 14, Harrisburg University is hosting the Side Hustle School — a free, seven-week entrepreneurship program where students, aged 12 to 16, and a parent, guardian or caregiver work together to develop an idea and learn how to turn it into a real business opportunity! The concept is pretty simple: give young people an opportunity to learn entrepreneurship by actually doing it — with their family involved in the process.

From October 14 through November 25, participating families will work with HU and CIE instructors, entrepreneurs and mentors through hands-on workshops covering entrepreneurial thinking, business model development, financial literacy, branding and marketing, social media/e-commerce and pitching.

There is no cost to participate!!

Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family.

Program: Side Hustle School – Family Edition

Dates & Times: October 14 – November 25, 2026, 1 day/week on Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Length: 7 weeks
Location: PMI - 350 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill PA 17011

Cost to Families: FREE
Participant/Travel Stipend: $225 per family

Learn More / Apply Through The Link: cie.harrisburgu.edu/side-hustle-school/

05/07/2026

Meet more of the mentors supporting this year’s launchU Competition 🚀

John Lucas, Dustin Betz, and Dr. Aditya Sharma are sharing their expertise to help students grow their ideas and navigate the entrepreneurial journey.

05/06/2026

The CIE - Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship has announced the 10 finalist teams selected for the 2026 launchU Student Startup Pitch Competition, a global, “Shark Tank”-style event bringing together student entrepreneurs from high schools and universities around the world.

Now in its sixth year, launchU has grown from a small HU student initiative into an international competition, with past participants representing countries including Turkey, Panama, and Kenya. This year’s cohort was selected from more than 50 applications and reflects one of the most diverse groups to date, with ventures spanning agri-tech, healthcare, accessibility, fintech, sustainability, and more.

The 2026 finalists include student teams from: Boston University, Canyon Crest Academy, Commonwealth Charter Academy, Dallastown Area High School, Dickinson College, Downingtown East High School, Florida State University, Hempfield High School, Mcnair Academic High School, Michigan State University, and Washington State University.

🔗 Read more about the finalists here: https://www.harrisburgu.edu/news/2026-05-06-launchu-finalists/

05/04/2026

More mentors helping drive this year’s launchU Competition forward 🚀

Owen Farrell, Alana Davis, and Evan Pappas are sharing their experience and guidance as students develop and grow their ventures.