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 sustainability of the Mon Valley LaunchBox relies on the contributions of alumni, friends, and community leaders who see the potential for our campus to serve as a launching point for students and entrepreneurs.  

For a limited time, the University is offering a one-to-one match for gifts of $25,000 or more to establish a named endowment directed toward the Mon Valley LaunchBox, doubling your gift and doubling your support for generations to come.  Now is the perfect time for community members who share our entrepreneurial vision to invest in our own region's future.  

And individual donor or company that commits a single gift or pledge commitment of $1 million to fully endow the Mon Valley LaunchBox will receive the University match and will be offered LaunchBox naming rights.  Program deadline is June 30, 2022, or until $1 million in matching funds have been awarded, which ever happens first.   

 

 

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