Altoona LaunchBox establishes foundational framework for sustainable and scalable businesses
Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite Family, a key partner with Startup Alleghenies, assists early-stage entrepreneurs who reside in the expansive 6-county Southern Alleghenies region, encompassing over 3,400 square miles of mostly rural communities anchored by two third-class cities (Altoona & Johnstown).
“Eighty percent of those we serve are community members, while the other twenty percent include both college and high school students interested in ideation and developing an entrepreneurial mindset,” Altoona LaunchBox Assistant Director Jessica Lattanza said. “We have strong connections with our regional ecosystem partners and focus on assisting startups, small emerging businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing programming, mentoring, and ecosystem connections.” Lattanza added that the LaunchBox’s core services include group mentoring through its Triage Team and 1-on-1 business coaching.
“We also offer a menu of virtual programming focused on entrepreneurial skill-building and a multi-week Business Bootcamp to assist in the development of viable business ideas,” she said. “Our college and high school student programming centers on customer discovery and ideation, focusing on not only the concept of entrepreneurship but how to flourish as an intrapreneur and cultivate innovation from within an established organization.”
The team works organically with Startup Alleghenies coaches to provide support, insight and assistance as needed, and is part of the larger entrepreneur ecosystem of the Alleghenies. This ecosystem provides a synergistic approach to navigating resources to propel business success.
“Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family is so helpful in partnering with our vision at Startup Alleghenies,” Debbi Prosser, Director of Business Development for the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission, said. “Entrepreneurs who are working with coaches are able to get help resources and vital networking through the LaunchBox, and it helps them to reach and maintain business success in our area. We are very fortunate to be able to collaborate with the LaunchBox to help grow business in the Alleghenies.”
Located in the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in historic downtown Altoona, the Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite Family is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative and one of 21 innovation hubs located in Penn State campus communities across Pennsylvania. Entrepreneurs can receive professional advice and training completely free of charge which will help get businesses off the ground and avoid common mistakes that many startups face.
“Our region is fortunate to have a fabulous entrepreneurial ecosystem, rich with support, talent and collaboration,” Lattanza added. “We have mentors and coaches, programming and training. If you land on the doorstep of one ecosystem partner, you have entered a vast and connected network of support.”
Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.
