Innovation Commons, the Beehive at Penn State Behrend, serves entrepreneurs and industry through product development, rapid prototyping, app development (focusing on user experience), engineering consultation/experimentation, and industry 4.0 consultation. Clients work directly with skilled students to take their idea from sketch to reality while retaining full ownership of intellectual property. These services are offered at no cost (except for non-standard materials and electronic components), thanks to organizations including ECGRA, EDA, ARC, and private and corporate donations. At this session, Innovation Commons will share what services they offer, present various examples of successful projects, answer any questions you may have, and help you get the ball rolling on your invention. Bring your own ideas with you! Time will be provided for immediate consideration of your project. The NWPA Beehive Innovation Network Series is presented by the Corry Higher Education Council. This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Register online at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.

At the Innovation Entente Lab (IEL), student analysts will provide a competitive business intelligence approach in conducting key research and the collection of data necessary to help entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve an understanding of their market, industry, and competitive landscape. The Mercyhurst IEL provides services, such as: market and competitive business intelligence analysis, intellectual property information, funding opportunity research, social media analysis, industry best practices, data collection and cyber security risk assessment. At this session, participants will learn about the specific services the IEL provides and examples of the products students have previously completed. The NWPA Beehive Innovation Network Series is presented by the Corry Higher Education Council. This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Register online at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.

At the Center for Branding and Strategic Communication, Edinboro faculty and students work together to provide a broad range of marketing communication services to entrepreneurs, new businesses and other organizations. Much of the work is done through existing university courses, providing an experience that is as valuable to students as the end product is to clients. Services provided include: graphic design, branding materials, logo development, social media planning and management, media relations, podcasting and digital marketing. At this session, participants will learn about the services the Center provides and see examples of work that has been produced for former clients. The NWPA Beehive Innovation Network Series is presented by the Corry Higher Education Council. This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Register online at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.

At the Erie County Public Library Idea Lab, you can use 3D printers, sewing machines, a recording studio, a CNC machine, Photoshop, and other equipment and software. If you can’t come in person, the Idea Lab’s website has guides on lots of topics including first steps in starting a business.

The Gannon University Beehive provides student analysts to support entry level products necessary to help entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve an understanding of their market, industry, and funding sources. The Gannon Beehive provides services in crowd funding-friendly analysis, pitch deck and start-up capital best practices analysis.  At this combined session, participants will learn about the specific services both Beehive nodes provide and see examples of the products students have previously completed. The NWPA Beehive Innovation Network Series is presented by the Corry Higher Education Council.  This free presentation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  Seating is limited.  COVID-19 restrictions will apply.  Register online at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.