WYOMISSING, Pa. – Penn State Berks will host a variety of events during Global Entrepreneurship Week from Monday, Nov. 13 to Thursday, Nov. 16. Events are sponsored by the college’s Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development (CEED) Center and the Berks LaunchBox in downtown Reading. All events are free and open to the public but advanced registration is required for some events.
Global Entrepreneurship Week occurs in more than 180 countries and averages over 10 million annual participants. For Penn State, the goal of Global Entrepreneurship Week is to connect the University and the local community through partnerships and promote innovative spirit. Events include lectures, networking, and workshops.
Mentoring and Customer Discovery Panel
Monday, Nov. 13, 12:15-1:15 p.m, Room 121, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building
Attendees will learn valuable insights into leveraging mentorship and customer engagement to successfully launch a business venture. The panel will consist of Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems and director of the Flemming CEED Center, Jonathan Smith, co-founder of Streamline Charging, Cory Varona, co-founder of OCOA, and Nathan Vreeland, co-founder and design team lead of Streamline Charging.
This event is presented by the Flemming CEED Center.
Innovate to Renovate Upcycling Workshop
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 3-4 p.m., Room 111, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building
In the workshop, attendees will learn how to repurpose old clothing with the provided CEED Center materials. Dipti Bhatt, lecturer of business analytics and management at Penn State Berks, will host.
Registration for this event is required. This event is presented by the Flemming CEED Center.
3D Printing Workshop
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Room 111, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building
The Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Center will host workshops on how to use 3D printers for prototype building. Participants will learn about the software used to create prototypes and how 3D printers work.
To register for this event and for more information, contact Nathan Vreeland at [email protected].
Creative Mindset Workshop
Thursday, Nov. 16, 12-1 p.m., Room 111 Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building
Participants will learn how to use generative AI to pitch new products and discuss the ethical implications and challenges of using AI in creative processes.
This event is presented by the Flemming CEED Center.
Webinar: Curating Your Sustainable Business Journey
Thursday, Nov. 16, 6-7 p.m.
Learn about the complexities surrounding business sustainability, and how your business can contribute positively to our world. The seminar will delve into crucial topics such as Sustainable Development Goals and the impactful world of B Corps, along with exploring innovative business sustainability strategies that are not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial.
Registration is required.
This event is presented by the Berks LaunchBox and Flemming CEED Center.
Webinar: Tequi-preneur
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7-8 p.m.
Nayana Ferguson, co-founder of Anteel Tequila, will share her story of breaking barriers in the spirits industry while building a successful tequila brand and national advocate for PanCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in a Zoom webinar.
About the Flemming CEED Center
The Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Center (CEED) Center was established in the fall of 2011 as part of the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. Its mission is to inspire an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking in the Penn State Berks community. The CEED Center fosters economic growth and development in the Greater Reading area through technology-based solutions, human capital development, and enterprise creation. It provides student entrepreneurs with an incubator in which to develop their startup ideas and mentoring from faculty, as well as volunteers from the local business community. The CEED Center’s programs include the Customer Discovery Lab, Creativity Training Workshops, 3D Printing Workshops, Speaker Series, the STEM Business Idea Challenge, and the Student Enterprise Award. For more information, contact Kulturel-Konak at [email protected].
About Berks LaunchBox
The mission of Berks LaunchBox, located in Suite 105 of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading, is to support economic development and entrepreneurship. An innovation hub of Penn State Berks, the Berks LaunchBox connects local early-stage entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities that they need to build sustainable and scalable businesses with a viable plan for growth. Services include assistance with prototyping, conducting market research, and connecting with advisers. Berks LaunchBox offers entrepreneurship workshops, coworking space for startups, Meetups focused on business development, a makerspace with 3D printers for prototyping and special youth programs.
Berks LaunchBox is supported by Invent Penn State — a commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success. For more information, visit berkslaunchbox.psu.edu or contact Erica Kunkel at 610-396-6221 or via email at [email protected].
Sadan Kulturel-Konak
Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems, Penn State Berks
