Since its inception in 2014, the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network has worked to help people start businesses and to enhance business expansion and development. The Beehive is made up of four universities and the public library, all working together to help you.
You can use the below link to fill in information about what you are working on and what you need help with. We also encourage you to reach out directly to the Beehive that you think might be able to help you first. If you're not sure, you can always email the library at idealab@eriecountypa.gov and we will try and point you in the right direction.
The Idea Lab at Erie County Public Library is an adult maker space that offers free access to equipment and classes. The Idea Lab also has online guides to learning about different equipment and software if you can't visit the space in person. They also have programs and an online guide to help you take an idea and think through how you could turn it into a business.
Services Provided:
You don't need anything prepared to come into the library - the Idea Lab is a place for asking any and all questions and getting help. You are ready to come into the Idea Lab if you have an idea you want to discuss and aren't sure how to start. You are also ready to ask the library for help if you are trying to do research and aren't sure how to.
If you are have already started a business and are selling products and working, we might be able to help, but you also might be better off starting with another member of the Beehive.
Patrick Moran
Idea Lab Librarian
idealab@eriecountypa.gov
Students at Gannon's Center for Business Ingenuity can help you improve and communicate your business idea.
Services Provided:
Before working with Gannon's Center for Business Ingenuity, you should already have an idea that you have put a few hours of thought and research into doing. Their students' work will help you decide whether to move forward with looking for funding.
Ready Example:
You've thought about starting to work as a photographer because you are great with a camera and take photos for all your friends. You've done some research into what photographers charge and think you might focus on weddings and family portraits. You're ready to start, but you know you'll need money to buy a professional camera and some lighting equipment. You need help with how to raise that money.
Not Ready Example:
You think being a photographer would be cool, but you have no experience and haven't looked up anything about what you would charge or what kinds of photo shoots you might do. You want help raising money for you to buy a camera and take classes so you can see if photography is for you.
Brad Gleason
Director of Entrepreneurial Operations
gleason006@gannon.edu
Kathy Roach
Entrepreneurial Coordinator
roach009@gannon.edu
Edinboro's Center for Branding and Strategic Communication provides many of the services offered by a full-service marketing communication firm or agency. They primarily work on a semester schedule (January to May, September to December), so there may be a wait if the workload is already full. Students work on projects with the help of staff, professors, and faculty.
To get in touch with Edinboro, fill out this form.
Services Provided:
Before working with Edinboro, you should already have a business or idea that is up and running. Edinboro can help you make or redo graphic design, tell your business' story better, or develop digital marketing.
Ready example:
You have started selling custom signs you are making in your garage. You need help setting up some social media accounts, making a website, and creating a cool logo.
Not ready example:
You are thinking about making and selling things you make out of wood in your garage, but you don't know what your products might be. You want to see what a logo and website would look like before deciding whether to try.
Is there a specific intake process for the Center for Branding
and Strategic Communication?
Client work is primarily completed by students under the supervision of teaching faculty. The delivery schedule mirrors that of the 15-week semester. Clients are encouraged to use the RFP Form on the website.
Does the Center for Branding and Strategic Communication
provide website development?
Yes, but due to the labor-intensive nature of website design, the Center does have to limit the services they provide relating to website development.
Chris Lantinen
Director
clantinen@pennwest.edu
Scott Gladd
Creative Director
sgladd@pennwest.edu
Working with Mercyhurst, you are the client of the Innovation Entente Lab (IEL) and their students will work to answer questions you have about your business, product or market. They will also work to provide you with information to understand your market and competitors. Their goal is to provide you information you can work with to make better decisions about your product and business.
Services Provided:
Before working with students at Mercyhurst's Innovation Entente Lab, you should have specific business questions or market research you need help with.
Ready example:
You want to start an indoor, hydroponic farm and have already researched the equipment you need to do so. You're wondering what the best crops to grow and sell are, what crops other hydroponic farms are selling, and what some of the best practices are for hydroponic farms.
Not ready example:
You think running a farm would be interesting, but you don't have experience and haven't done research yet. You want to know everything you can about farming, what you could grow and sell, and whether or not it's a good idea.
How long will it take for each project to be completed?
It takes about 6 weeks from start to finish.
What can a client expect when working with the Innovation Entente Lab?
The Innovation Entente Lab (IEL) will hold a Terms of Reference meeting with you to discuss your concept and needs. The IEL representation will communicate in detail what they can do and provide to you. The meeting concludes with a Terms of Reference that outline the agreement between you and the IEL. This agreement will be sent to you by email for approval and signature, ensuring a clear understanding of the services to be provided.
Once a project has started, it will be approximately 6 weeks from beginning to end. During this time, the team of students will communicate with you weekly. At the end of the project, you will receive a digital version of their research and will be contacted to schedule a presentation of the data and research. This will conclude the Terms of Reference. Lastly, the IEL may provide additional project(s) upon request if you have more questions or if their initial work sparks new ideas for you.
Brian Fuller
Director of Operations
bfuller@mercyhurst.edu
Students at Innovation Commons at Penn State Behrend can work to help you develop physical prototypes of your product idea, help you with engineering challenges, work with you on app development, or improve your industry operations. Penn State is here to help inventors make their inventions real and existing industrial businesses work better.
Services Provided:
If you have a product idea, here's what you should have ready before working with Innovation Commons:
Ready Example:
You've thought of a cup with a handle and motors that keeps it from spilling for people with shaky hands. You have made some drawings done some research on how it might work. You need students to help me make a prototype so you can see if it actually works. After, you need help finding a place that could manufacture a first batch for you.
Not Ready Example:
You have dogs and they break all their toys. You think a dog toy that never breaks would be great. You'd like to ask the students if they can invent one for you.
If you are an existing business with a production center or factory, you are ready to ask for industry consulting and training.
If you are an existing business exploring what a good app for your business might look like and how it might function, you are ready to ask for help with app development.
Jacob Marsh
Industry Relations Coordinator
jam522@psu.edu