Shenango LaunchBox

09/02/2026

Hear from Shenango LaunchBox Program Coordinator Tom Roberts about the 2026 Idea TestLab!

The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community is joining eight other Penn State LaunchBoxes to offer the free, four-week virtual accelerator for Pennsylvania-based entrepreneurs.

A program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs is now accepting applications for its free business accelerator program.

08/31/2026

The application is OPEN for the 2026 Idea TestLab!

Visit our website to learn more about the program and apply between now and Sept. 18.

SHARON, Pa. — The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community along with eight other Penn State LaunchBoxes across Pennsylvania are accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Idea TestLab, a free, four-week virtual accelerator for people exploring new business ideas. Applications must...

08/26/2026

Don’t quit your daydream. Test it! 💡

Have a business idea you can’t stop thinking about? Before investing significant time and money, find out whether you’ve identified a problem customers genuinely want solved.

The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community is joining eight other Penn State LaunchBoxes to offer the Fall 2026 Idea TestLab, a free, four-week virtual accelerator for Pennsylvania-based entrepreneurs.

Participants will:
✅ Identify and learn from potential customers
✅ Test assumptions about the problem their idea solves
✅ Evaluate existing solutions
✅ Develop a clear value proposition
✅ Receive live training and one-on-one startup coaching

The live Zoom sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Individuals and teams are welcome. No previous business experience or Penn State affiliation is required, and there are no fees or equity requirements.

Apply by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18: https://bit.ly/itl2026

08/19/2026

Your big ideas could lead to big rewards!

Our friends at Ben Franklin Technology Partners/Central and Northern PA are putting $50,000 behind the region’s best ideas — plus the mentorship, coaching, and connections it actually takes to build something real.

Learn more about the Big Idea Contest on their website: https://cnp.benfranklin.org/programs-resources/bigidea/

08/05/2026

"It's one entrepreneur, one storefront, and one relationship at a time."

The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community is making it easy for local entrepreneurs to find the right help at the right time. Check out how in the Sharon Herald!

SHARON — Vintage Vault in downtown Sharon is proof that the city and its stakeholders’ ongoing revitalization efforts are showing positive results.

06/22/2026

ICYMI - The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community, along with the City of Sharon and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, are proud to announce the three local businesses who will receive a total of $95,000 in grant funding awarded through the Sharon Economic Development Fund!

SHARON, Pa. – The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community, along with the City of Sharon and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, have announced the three local businesses who will receive a total of $95,000 in grant funding awarded through the Shar...

06/17/2026

The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community, along with the City of Sharon and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, are proud to announce the three local businesses who will receive a total of $95,000 in grant funding awarded through the Sharon Economic Development Fund!

SHARON, Pa. – The Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community, along with the City of Sharon and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, have announced the three local businesses who will receive a total of $95,000 in grant funding awarded through the Shar...

04/30/2026

The Shenango LaunchBox was in the limelight earlier this week!

Look for a special feature coming soon from Invent Penn State highlighting the services available through the LaunchBox, and a unique entrepreneur success story from the Sharon community!

04/16/2026

Register today for the Office of Business Inclusion and Supplier Development (BISD) Empowering Connections: Advancing Opportunities for Small Businesses 2026 Virtual Micro-Summit on Monday, May 4!

🔗 RSVP today: tinyurl.com/BISDMicroSummit