GEW Penn State 2026: Full Schedule

10:30am EST

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Entrepreneurship rarely unfolds in a straight line. You make one decision, new information appears, priorities shift, and suddenly the path that seemed obvious no longer is. In the Founder Navigation Challenge, you will step into a live, interactive venture experience where your choices determine what happens next. You will face the kinds of decisions that can change the direction of a venture,...
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Speakers

Abiola Taylor

Co-Founder, Venture navigator

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub 123 S. Burrows Street , State College, PA 16801

Hybrid

12:30pm EST

Intellectual Property Basics

Tuesday November 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EST

201 Davey Lab

Have an idea and want to see what your patent options are? Not sure what a patent even is? This workshop is a great starting point! Attendees will learn all about the world of patents. This workshop introduces how to get started with searching for patents, along with resources and an introduction to the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Center.Please RSVP by Monday, November...
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Speakers

Denise A. Wetzel

Patent and Trademark Librarian, Pennsylvania State University Libraries

Tuesday November 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EST
201 Davey Lab 251 Pollock Road University Park, PA 16802

Hybrid

5:00pm EST

Community Networking Event (CBICC Business After Hours)

Tuesday November 17, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm EST

Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

In-person onlyJoin us on Tuesday, November 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. as we celebrate the 5th annual Community Networking Event during Global Entrepreneurship Week at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College. For five years, this event has brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, innovators, community leaders, and professionals from across the region to spark new...
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Tuesday November 17, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub 123 S. Burrows Street , State College, PA 16801

In-Person

12:00pm EST

AI for Small Business: Where to Start and What's Worth Your Time

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Virtual

You've heard AI can save you time and money — but where do you actually begin?This session cuts through the hype and shows small business owners practical, real-world ways to put AI to work right away.We'll cover the everyday tasks AI can take off your plate and show you some prompts that you can use immediately.No tech background required — just bring your questions.Zoom registration...
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Speakers

Brad Zdenek

Director of Economic Development and Student Programs, Penn State University

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Virtual

Virtual

4:00pm EST

Introduction to Patent Searching

Wednesday November 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST

201 Davey Lab

Speakers

Denise A. Wetzel

Patent and Trademark Librarian, Pennsylvania State University Libraries

Wednesday November 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
201 Davey Lab 251 Pollock Road University Park, PA 16802

Hybrid

5:00pm EST

Entrepreneuring within a Company (State College)

Wednesday November 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

School of Engineering Design and Innovation

In-Person OnlyInnovating within a company is about intrapreneurship. In this highly competitive AI-driven world, setting yourself apart from thousands of other applicants competing for one job can be achieved when you convey how entrepreneurial you are. By understanding the application of the entrepreneurial mindset and how to choose the right company to work for, you can be identified as an...
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Speakers

Frank T. Koe, Ph.D.

Professor, Engineering Entrepreneurship, Penn State

Wednesday November 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
School of Engineering Design and Innovation 304 Engineering Design and Innovation Building The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802

In-Person

8:30am EST

WEConnect Conference (State College)

Thursday November 19, 2026 8:30am - 6:30pm EST

Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub

In-person onlyWe Are Penn State. We Are Entrepreneurs. is a curated, high-impact entrepreneurship conference hosted by the Happy Valley LaunchBox that brings together founders, startup support organizations, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the region under one roof. Designed as a tactical, outcome-driven resource summit rather than a traditional networking event, WE Connect provides...
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Speakers

Happy Valley Changemakers Collective

Changemaker Collectives bring women together around interests to connect, grow, and build meaningful impact, one collective at a time.

Thursday November 19, 2026 8:30am - 6:30pm EST
Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub 123 S. Burrows Street , State College, PA 16801

In-Person

GEW Penn State 2026

10:30am EST

Abiola Taylor

12:30pm EST

Denise A. Wetzel

5:00pm EST

12:00pm EST

Brad Zdenek

4:00pm EST

Denise A. Wetzel

5:00pm EST

Frank T. Koe, Ph.D.

8:30am EST

Happy Valley Changemakers Collective

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