Mon Valley Launchbox™️
The Mon Valley LaunchBox represents a collaboration between Penn State Greater Allegheny, Invent Penn State and the city of McKeesport to engage the community, entrepreneurs and students in encouraging economic development and improving the quality of life in the Mon Valley. A key focus of this initiative will be on creating a culture of innovation around the Launch Box to significantly increase the number of entrepreneurs in the community. The signature programs of the Mon Valley LaunchBox are being implemented in collaboration with businesses and nonprofits across the community.
The city of McKeesport has been a key partner in establishing our presence in the Mon Valley at the Penn State -McKeesport Innovation Hub located in downtown McKeesport. This space, provided by the city of McKeesport, provides a no-cost meeting and educational space for Launch Box participants and partners. The Mon Valley LaunchBox at the Penn State - McKeesport Innovation Hub is a catalyst for entrepreneurs and community members to transform the Mon Valley through economic development, social change and innovation. We aim to uplift and serve the Mon Valley through change:
- Connecting Communities
- Harnessing Ingenuity
- Accessing Resources
- Networking
- Generating Opportunity
- Engineering Success
Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success. Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship, focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and university-community collaborations to facilitate the challenging process of turning research discoveries into valuable products and services that can benefit Pennsylvanians and humankind.
"The aim of Invent Penn State is to drive job creation, economic development and student career success by connecting researchers with the people who can help bring their discoveries to the marketplace. Penn State is developing a culture that encourages, nurtures and rewards entrepreneurship in all fields of study."
- Dr. Eric Barron, President, Penn State University
Mon Valley Launchbox Ribbon-Cutting and Dedication Ceremony
On Wednesday, September 4, Penn State Greater Allegheny, in conjunction with the City of McKeesport, officially opened the Mon Valley Launchbox at the Common Ground Building in downtown McKeesport.
Penn State President Eric J Barron (fourth from the left) was joined by Jacqueline Edmondson, Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of Penn State Greater Allegheny (third from left), Madlyn Hanes, (fifth from the left) Vice-President for Commonwealth Campuses, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherpko (second from left), Penn State Greater Allegheny's Street Team and other Penn State and local dignitaries to officially open the Mon Valley Launchbox on September 4, 2019.
Image: Zachary Rosen
Michael Cherpko, Mayor of McKeesport, speaks at the Mon Valley Launchbox Ribbon-Cutting and Dedication Ceremony on September 4, 2019. Cherpko discussed the importance of partnerships in making communities stronger.
Image: Zachary Rosen
Penn State Greater Allegheny Alumnus Trevor Lofton attended the event. Lofton was hired in a management position with TMS International, through the relationships the Mon Valley Launchbox established with the company.
Image: Penn State
Representative of the 35th District, and McKeesport-native, Austin Davis, emceed the Mon Valley Launchbox Ribbon-Cutting and Dedication Ceremony on September 4, 2019, at the Common Ground Building.
Image: Zachary Rosen
Aaron Whigham, Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Penn State Greater Allegheny and Co-Coordinator of the Mon Valley Launchbox, speaking to the successes of the Mon Valley Launchbox since its soft opening in 2017. Whigham also spoke about his journey to Penn State and took a moment to thank his parents in the audience.
Image: Zachary Rosen
Founding Members of Penn State Greater Allegheny's Street Team recognized for their hard work on developing the Mon Valley Launchbox. Pictured left to right: Siobhan Brooks, Erica Willis, Mylisha Burns, Aaron Whigham, Tracy Gibbs, Johnathan White, Jacqueline Edmondson, Eric Ewell, and Erica Tachoir.
Image: Zachary Rosen
Penn State Greater Allegheny Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jacqueline Edmondson (Center), with aspiring entrepreneurs working with the Mon Valley Launchbox.
Image: Penn State
Penn State Greater Allegheny Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jacqueline Edmondson smiling with both winners of the pitch competition held during the Mon Valley Lauinchbox ceremony on September 4, 2019.
Image: Penn State
Penn State President Eric J. Barron speaking at the Mon Valley Launchbox Ribbon-Cutting and Dedication ceremony on September 4, 2019, at the Common Ground Building in McKeesport PA.
Image: Zachary Rosen