About
What is Beaver Valley LaunchBox?
Beaver Valley LaunchBox (BVLB) is an early-stage business accelerator program for entrepreneurs. We assist in the business development process by connecting community members to local resources, and providing ongoing education and programming. We also offer access to Penn State University legal clinic services.
- Community members interested in starting their own business
- Small business owners growing their ventures
- Community members to launch their product or service idea
Meet the LaunchBox Team
Ashu Kumar
Chief Catalyst
Ashu is a professor of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State Beaver and the creative force behind the Beaver Valley LaunchBox. With a background in journalism, analytics, big data and entrepreneurship, he brings a broad spectrum of experience to the community through LaunchBox. When he’s not working on campus, Ashu enjoys undertaking creative ventures, like short documentary filmmaking, and traveling to India.
Kristen Doerschner
Communications Optimizer
Kristen is the director of campus relations at Penn State Beaver and, prior to working at the campus, she spent nearly 20 years as a journalist covering cops and courts and working as an editor. Kristen enjoys eating, cooking, drinking wine and craft beer, reading and traveling.
Katelyn Hauser
Digital Catalyst
Katelyn is a business marketing and management major at the Pennsylvania State University and is pursuing a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. Katelyn has been working with the Beaver Valley Launchbox since August 2022. She is also the President of the student entrepreneurship club. Katelyn is from Beaver, PA, and enjoys reading and spending time with family whenever possible.
Stephanie Menor
Marketing Catalyst
Stephanie possesses over two decades of rich corporate experience, culminating in her recent pivot to further her education as a student at Penn State Beaver. Majoring in Business Marketing & Management, she is leveraging her background in Marketing, Merchandising and Product Development to empower local small businesses through the LaunchBox. She is also a wife and Mom, a community Volunteer, and an artist and educator in the Arts & Crafts community.
Sanskriti Walia
Technical Catalyst
Sanskriti is a Computer Science major at Penn State University. She brings in her technical expertise and communication skills to the team at Beaver Valley LaunchBox to help small businesses grow. Sanskriti is also the Chair for THON (student-run nonprofit organization) and a community volunteer.
Samuel Bickle
Business Catalyst
Sam is a business management and marketing major at the Penn State University. Sam has joined the team at the Beaver Valley LaunchBox to help aspiring business entrepreneurs in digital marketing. Sam is from Pittsburgh, PA, and has a love for sports and for getting outdoors.
What can Beaver Valley LaunchBox offer me?
- Education and workshops in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship
- Professional advice in areas such as finance, legal, technology and marketing
- Mentorships from local, successful business owners
- Networking events to connect to local resources
What kind of workshops are offered?
We offer programs such as…
- IdeaDesign Lab that helps you define and refine your product or business ideas
- IdeaTest Lab that helps in customer discovery, testing your idea, and creating a plan
- Social media strategy and best practices seminar for small business owners
- Speaker series and panel discussions led by local entrepreneurs and experts
How do I contact the Beaver Valley LaunchBox?
- By phone at 724-773-3516
- Email beaverlaunchbox@psu.edu
- Join Beaver Valley LaunchBox on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
What does "Don't Quit Your Daydream" mean?
Don’t give up on your dream of starting a business. All that is standing between you and your daydream is a plan to make it happen. Let Beaver Valley LaunchBox help you get started!