Impact Entrepreneurship
Mission
The Office of Impact Entrepreneurship (OIE) works with mission-driven founders and startups focused on building innovative businesses that support system change through strategic consulting, development of impact metrics, and experiential learning projects. Key focus areas will align with the land grant mission of Penn State University as well as the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. These focus areas may include but are not limited to food systems, food security, responsible agricultural practices, and economic development both in rural and underserved urban communities.
Programs and Initiatives
Resource Identification & Network Connection
Allow us to connect you to the PSU entrepreneurial eco-system to further your impactful venture at any stage.
- Propel Advisory Network
- Invent Penn State community LaunchBox Network
- Smeal Center for the Business of Sustainability
- Penn State Sustainability
- Penn State Extension
Strategy & Business Model Consulting
Starting and running a venture with an environmental or social purpose takes extra work. We have the tools and know how to find the right model and path for to help your venture create the most impact while also building a sustainable business.
- Propel Advisory Network
- Office Director, Travis Lesser, MBA
Identify Resources for Impact Funding
Regardless of your stage of development, we have the network to identify and suggest resources to further your venture. Fill out the Contact Us form for more information so that we can connect you with the right source of funding for you!
- Propel Seed Fund
- Angel Network
- Garber Venture Capital Fund
- Innovation Grants
- Other forms of impact funding
Provide Experiential and Immersive Learning Opportunities
Help our students further their education by being part of a class project, exploring entrepreneurship in other countries, or hiring a talented student intern as part of our Farrell Center Experienceship program! Fill out the Contact Us form to get started!
- MGMT 365: Social Entrepreneurship Class Project - enrolled students work with an outside social enterprise client during the semester on a variety of focuses to assist the business in attaining sustained growth and communicating measurable impact. Past projects involved the following entities:
- Fall 2021 - Artisan crafts to benefit Amazon ecology
- Spring 2022 - Appalachian Food Works (501c3 local food hub in Centre County, PA)
- Fall 2022 - Giv Local (certified B-Corp and the U.S.'s only socially responsible payment provider in State College, PA)
- Spring 2023 - Moka Origins (fair trade cocoa and coffee company sourcing from farms throughout Africa and Latin America headquartered in Honesdale, PA)
- Fall 2023 - Regen All (501c3 in Lancaster, PA which identifies, coordinates, and lays the groundwork for implementing local climate solutions)
- Spring 2024 - The Rivet (community-focused maker-space that creates accessibility by taking modern manufacturing and putting it into an informal learning environment in State College, PA)
- Fall 2024 - the co.space (co-living community for change makers located in Downtown State College, PA)
- Spring 2025 - rural fresh food access in Snow Shoe, PA
- Strickler Office of International Programs - study abroad social entrepreneurship opportunities.
- Farrell Center Experienceship Program - fellowship program facilitating opportunities for students to gain summer experience with a Pennsylvania-based small business or startup.
- Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) Program - integrated learning, research, and entrepreneurship program that brings together students and faculty across campus in the rigorous research, design, field-testing, and launch of technology-based ventures in low- and middle-income countries.
Continuing Education
Tell our students about your venture by joining us as a guest speaker in a class or part of a student organization’s event. Fill out the Contact Us form, and we will be in touch to discuss.