Penn State University: Ribbon-cutting ceremony heralds opening of Brandywine LaunchBox

Joined by several dozen community leaders, elected officials and business owners, Penn State President Eric J. Barron and Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells presided over a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on March 18 to mark the opening of the Brandywine LaunchBox — an innovation space that provides no-cost resources for entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Brandywine LaunchBox is located at 18 N. Lansdowne Ave. in Lansdowne within the newly renovated Utility Works MakerSpace, which is a project of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). Penn State Brandywine and the LEDC have collaborated for several years on projects to support entrepreneurship and small businesses.

“We have been anxiously awaiting this day — a day that symbolizes Penn State Brandywine’s commitment to our local community and to Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and service,” Wells said. “In fact, our recently adopted five-year strategic plan includes objectives focused specifically on growing our economic and community partnerships and expanding our workforce and innovation efforts.”

“We have been anxiously awaiting this day — a day that symbolizes Penn State Brandywine’s commitment to our local community and to Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and service.”

Wells noted she was proud of the accomplishments of the past few years, and even more excited about what the future holds.

“This space is certainly impressive and will be a wonderful facility for classes, collaboration and creativity,” she said. “But the impact of the Brandywine LaunchBox goes beyond these walls. For local entrepreneurs and small businesses, this LaunchBox opens the door to a wide range of services and support offered by the students, faculty, staff and alumni of Penn State Brandywine, as well as the vast resources of Invent Penn State.”

Barron explained that each innovation hub is unique, shaped by the distinctive needs of the campus and surrounding community, but with a common mission to inspire and advance innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We have seen what is possible when you bring ambitious people together in a dedicated space,” Barron said. “The results are changing the way students think about solving real-world problems, filling community needs, and contributing to the region’s prosperity and growth. We look forward to doing even more for this area through partnerships and strategic investments that build upon existing relationships with community leaders.”