About

What is Lehigh Valley LaunchBox?

Lehigh Valley LaunchBox (LVLB) is an early-stage business accelerator program for entrepreneurs. It propels business concepts into startup companies with: microgrants awarded twice yearly; business development resources; ongoing education and programming; access to Penn State University legal clinic services; a safety net of advisors; and free coworking space.

As a signature program of Invent Penn State, LVLB partners with a network of community and university partners to offer continuing support to small business owners and guides them through every step of their startup journey.

There are two microgrant award cycles each year—Spring and Fall—and an abundance of resources available to LVLB grant recipients.

All Lehigh Valley community members and Penn State alumni, faculty, staff, and students who have a scalable business idea are welcome to apply for an accelerator award.

Our mission is to be the “hub” that connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities they need to build a sustainable and scalable business with a viable plan for growth.

Learn How You Can Support LVLB
Lehigh Valley LaunchBox relies on grants and private support to sustain its awards. Individuals can contribute to this effort and invest in the economic growth of your community. Giving opportunities are also available to support LaunchBox Ladies, and the Teen Entrepreneur Challenge.
Learn More
WE OFFER:
  • Business accelerator program
  • Microgrants
  • Business advice and mentorship
  • Legal and intellectual property services
  • Coworking space
Meet the LaunchBox Team
Cindy Evans

Director

As the Director of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, I bring to the table a diverse background with a Master's degree in Human Resources and over 12 years of extensive experience in workforce development. Throughout my career, I have been deeply passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. I am confident that my strong interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and ability to create meaningful connections with people will be valuable assets in this dynamic and challenging environment.
Tiffany Valdes-Madera

Business Development Coordinator

I am an alumna of City University of New York (CUNY) City College and School of Professional Studies (SPS) holding a Bachelor's degree in Communications complemented by a minor in Cultural Studies. My journey with the Penn State family commenced in June 2021, where I assumed the role of Lehigh Valley Campus Faculty Affairs Coordinator. I got promoted in August 2023 to the position of Business Development Coordinator for the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox program. My contributions extend beyond my core responsibilities, as I embark on my second year as a member of the Penn State University Staff Advisory Council (USAC), while also co-chair of the USAC DEIB committee. Fun Fact: Public speaking makes me very nervous, yet I was CUNY SPS Commencement Speaker for my graduating class.
LaunchBox Startups
Our startup teams represent a wide range of industries and stages.
GreekPillar LLC
Andromeda LED Lighting
MyExcelGuy