Penn State SBDC

10/12/2026

Check out our First Steps webinar on October 13 at 1:00 PM.

This one-hour virtual session is a great opportunity to learn about resources available to help you grow your small business or begin your entrepreneurial journey.

Register here: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/33420

10/09/2026

This week, we’re highlighting Lycoming County, one of the communities served by the Penn State SBDC and a host of Global Entrepreneurship Week events.

During GEW 2023, local business partners and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered at the Pajama Factory in Williamsport for the Lycoming Business Connect Resource & Networking Event.

The event offered an opportunity to make connections, meet with local organizations, and learn about resources available to help small businesses start, grow, and prosper.

This year, Lycoming County is celebrating two important milestones during GEW. Williamsport LaunchBox supported by Ken and Kristie Healy will celebrate its first anniversary on November 5th, while the Community Theatre League will celebrate 50 seasons of bringing live theatre to Williamsport and surrounding communities on November 19th.

Save the dates and join us in celebrating these milestones during GEW 2026!

Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA
Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP)
The PA Wilds
SEDA-COG
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
IMC - Innovative Manufacturers Center

10/08/2026

Looking back at GEW 2025, our Community Networking Event in State College was a great opportunity to bring our entrepreneurial community together. From conversations and introductions to new connections, the evening captured what makes GEW so special.

We’re excited to do it again during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026 with our 5th Annual Community Networking Event.

📅 November 17
🕔 5:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub | Downtown State College

Save the date and stay tuned for more GEW 2026 events and opportunities to get involved!

10/07/2026

Curious about how AI could help your small business, but not sure where to start?

Join the Penn State Small Business Development Center and Williamsport LaunchBox powered by Ken and Kristie Healy for AI for Small Business: Getting Started on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from noon to 1 p.m.

This introductory seminar is designed for small business owners who want to better understand how AI can support everyday business operations.

Chelsea Blair, a business consultant with the Penn State SBDC, will cover practical ways to get started with AI, including prompting techniques, choosing the right tools, improving AI-generated results, and using AI safely and ethically.

The event is free and offered in a hybrid format, so you can attend in person at Williamsport LaunchBox or online.

In-person seating is limited.

Register here: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/33945

10/01/2026

Did you know? Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is celebrated in 200 countries, bringing entrepreneurs, innovators, and communities together to celebrate ideas.

Join us November 16 - 22 as we celebrate GEW right here in our community!

From connecting with fellow entrepreneurs to exploring new opportunities and sharing ideas, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events!

09/30/2026

🎤 Host an Event During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026

Do you have expertise, resources, or insights that could help entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed?

We're looking for organizations, businesses, educators, community partners, and entrepreneurial support organizations to host events during Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-22, 2026.

Whether it's a workshop, networking event, panel discussion, open house, educational session, or other entrepreneurial activity, your event can help inspire and support the next generation of innovators.

Interested in becoming a host?

🔗 https://gew.psu.edu/get-involved/host-an-event/

09/24/2026

The Penn State Small Business Development Center hosted a Lenders Roundtable at Barrel 21 Distillery and Dining, bringing together local lenders and economic development partners for a conversation about small business financing and access to capital.

The roundtable gave participants an opportunity to share updates on lending programs and resources, discuss current trends in commercial lending, and learn from one another about ways to help small businesses access financing.

Thank you to our speakers from Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SEDA-COG, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as everyone who participated in the conversation. We appreciate the opportunity to build these connections and strengthen the resources available to the small businesses we serve!

09/23/2026

📅 The Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026 Event Calendar is Live!

Global Entrepreneurship Week returns November 16-22, 2026.

Throughout the coming weeks, we'll continue adding workshops, networking opportunities, educational sessions, celebrations, and more. With dozens of events typically taking place during GEW, there's something for entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, educators, and community members alike.

Browse the calendar, mark your favorites, and be sure to check back often as new events are added.

🔗 https://gew.psu.edu/attend/schedule/

09/14/2026

Looking to start your own business?

Join our First Steps webinar tomorrow, September 15 at 9:30 AM. This two-hour virtual session will walk you through key resources to support your small business growth and help you get started.

Register here: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/33419

09/03/2026

Congratulations to our very own Tom Keiffer!

Congratulations to Tom Keiffer, our September 2026 Employee of the Month!

Throughout his 11 years as a Business Consultant with the Penn State SBDC, Tom has consistently demonstrated a commitment to consulting excellence, client success, and supporting his colleagues.

Tom specializes in business plans, financial projections, and loan proposal preparation, helping entrepreneurs navigate complex financial decisions, access capital, and successfully launch or grow their businesses. He is also a trusted resource for newer consultants, sharing his expertise in financial modeling, capital readiness, and data integrity.

His dedication to accuracy and measurable impact earned him the PASBDC “Data Master” Award in 2022, recognizing his exceptional focus on data integrity and documentation standards.

Tom’s impact can be seen in the businesses he has helped launch and grow, the capital his clients have secured, and the consultants he has mentored along the way.

Thank you, Tom, for your dedication, expertise, and service to Pennsylvania’s small business community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!