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.
We help:
  • 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.
Sophia Kramer

Digitalist

Sophia is a recent Penn State graduate majoring in corporate communications. Her involvement with LaunchBox is aligned with her interest in entrepreneurship and work in social media management. Sophia enjoys art, music, nature and animals.

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

When is the next workshop or networking event?

The announcements are posted on Launchbox social media pages. Follow @beavervalleylaunchbox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

How do I contact the Beaver Valley LaunchBox?

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!