Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference 2026
A Mid-Atlantic tech startup conference bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovations in IT, Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing.
- Dates
- October 1–2, 2026
- Location
- State College, PA
- Attendance
- 400+ attendees, 60+ startups, 40+ investors
TL;DR
- Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference runs October 1–2, 2026 in State College, PA.
- The event draws 400+ attendees from 60+ startup ventures and 40+ investment firms.
- Two centerpiece programs are Venture Connection, where investors meet pre-selected entrepreneurs, and the Tech Tournament, showcasing early-stage companies from Pennsylvania research universities.
- The conference focuses on innovations in IT, Energy, and Advanced Manufacturing.
About
Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference is part of a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success. Organized by Invent Penn State, the conference has become an essential platform for investors to identify promising startups and for entrepreneurs to secure capital and mentorship.
Who you'll find in the room
Entrepreneurs
Pre-selected startup founders and early-stage business leaders seeking funding and investor introductions.
Investors
Venture capitalists and investment professionals from 40+ firms evaluating new opportunities in growth-stage companies.
Featured speakers
4 listedNeeli Bendapudi
Fireside Chat · Penn State University
Brian Olsavsky
Fireside Chat · Amazon
Igor Jablokov
Headline Fireside Chat
Erika Swift
Tech Tournament Moderator
What attendees say
“It was my first time out pitching a business idea. The staff was very supportive, my coaches were helpful, and the meetings were great.”
“Invent Penn State has become an essential 'must see' event for investors that introduces promising start-ups and promotes conversations about topics that impact the region.”
Past editions
1 on record| Edition | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 |
Venue & travel
Venue
Penn Stater Hotel,Getting there
A room block is available for September 30 and October 1.
Questions people ask
8 answeredThe conference runs October 1–2, 2026.
The event draws 400+ attendees from 60+ startup ventures and 40+ investment firms.
The conference is held in State College, PA. A room block is available at the Penn Stater Hotel for September 30 and October 1.
Attendees include pre-selected startup entrepreneurs and investors.
Venture Connection is the centerpiece of the conference, where investors host tables to meet with entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs need not be Penn State affiliated but must apply and be selected to participate.
The Tech Tournament is a showcase of disruptive technologies and early-stage companies from Pennsylvania research universities.
Value depends on your stage, whether you are actively fundraising, and whether your sector matches the conference focus areas of IT, Energy, or Advanced Manufacturing. The conference attracts serious investors and draws pre-selected entrepreneurs, making it worth considering if you meet the selection criteria.
The organizer does not publish a dress code. Most attendees wear business casual or business formal, especially if pitching to investors.
Related events
Find more events with this kind of reach.
We score 300,000+ B2B events by decision-maker density, so you can find the next one for your ICP.
Also listed in