news & events

HAZLETON, Pa. - With the aim of connecting with local business owners and further strengthening its relationships within the community, employees of the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo, Esq. and Penn State Hazleton recently visited businesses in downtown Hazleton during its "Walk the Block" event. Held in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, the walk featured businesses near the LaunchBox, including many that were Latino-owned or had received no-cost resources or services from the LaunchBox. Another "Walk the Block" is planned for Thursday, Oct. 20. [caption id="attachment_3567" align="alignnone" width="1024"] La Tia Empanada owners Joanna Concepcion (left) and Maria Rodriguez...

HAZLETON, Pa. — An idea for a product that aims to improve the lives of children battling a rare degenerative disease earned a local high school student first prize in the Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge Pitch Competition hosted by the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo, Esq. on Aug. 15. The Teen Entrepreneurship Challenge, organized through partnerships with Penn State Wilkes-Barre, the LionLaunch at Penn State Schuylkill, and tecBRIDGE, a regional economic development organization, was an eight-week program that taught high school students how to develop a product or business idea. Students then pitched their ideas to a panel of...

HAZLETON, Pa. – The Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo, Esq. will host a variety of virtual events geared towards innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship from April 4 to 8 during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC. Nearly a dozen events will be offered for participants to learn from and connect with startup founders and individuals achieving success in diverse professional backgrounds, including business, finance, technology, science and sports. All events are free and open to the public. “Startup Week gives the Hazleton LaunchBox the opportunity to showcase its impactful range of no-cost services and resources,” said Debra Conway, Hazleton LaunchBox director and director of Continuing Education...

HAZLETON, Pa. – Registration is open for two of the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo, Esq.’s signature no-cost programs for entrepreneurs. The Idea Design Lab will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, via Zoom. It is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop and refine business ideas and identify the next steps of the startup process. The Idea Test Lab consists of three Zoom sessions on Tuesdays from March 29 to April 12 from 6-8 p.m. It is aimed at teaching entrepreneurs how to better understand customer problems and solutions, connect with potential customers, and identify the...

HAZLETON, Pa. — More than 60 participants of the Hazleton LaunchBox supported by Pasco L. Schiavo Esq.’s Diaspora Emprende program were recently recognized during a virtual ceremony attended by officials from Penn State Hazleton, INDEX (Instituto de Dominicanos y Dominicanas en el Exterior) and the Dominican Republic. Entrepreneurship Facilitator Fermin Diaz organized and led the series, which he adapted from the LaunchBox’s flagship Idea Design Lab program so it could be presented to native Spanish speakers. Held monthly beginning in September, sessions featured elements of the Idea Design Lab, but with a deeper exploration of the content, Diaz said. Participants attended...