Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference 2026

The event was billed as drawing 400+ attendees from 60+ startup ventures and 40+ investment firms.

The conference was held in State College, PA.

Attendees were billed as pre-selected startup entrepreneurs and investors.

Venture Connection was billed as the centerpiece of the conference, where investors hosted tables to meet with entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs did not need to be Penn State affiliated but had to apply and be selected to participate.

The Tech Tournament was billed as a showcase of disruptive technologies and early-stage companies from Pennsylvania research universities.

It was most useful for early-stage founders in IT, energy and advanced manufacturing, particularly those tied to Pennsylvania research universities, and for regional investors, since the program centered on Venture Connection investor tables and a Tech Tournament of university spinouts with 60+ startups and 40+ investment firms reported. Entrepreneurs had to apply and be selected for investor meetings, and the focus was regional, so late-stage companies or investors seeking national deal flow would find a narrower pool than at a national venture event.

Founders and investors at startup and venture events usually wear business casual, with pitching entrepreneurs often a notch smarter in a blazer; early October in State College is cool, so a layer is sensible.