Penn State Wilkes-Barre--Wilkes-Barre Presents

A formalized process to introduce entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing businesses to a regional investor network (angel network, VC’s, etc.), through a live-pitch event held on a quarterly basis at the THINK Center Lecture Hall. Interested parties will be vetted and then processed through a 3-month training program prior to participating in the pitch event.

The providers include the founding member organizations of Wilkes-Barre Connect: Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC); Family Business Alliance; Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship; Diamond City Partnership (DCP); Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development; and Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber (administer of the program).

The services delivered by the Wilkes-Barre Connect Providers include mentoring; trainings; networking; technical assistance, including business plan development, market research and feasibility, financial modeling, and marketing; and access to capital.

The facilities are the various types of spaces made available for businesses to locate, no matter where they are in the business life cycle, including incubators, office space, retail storefronts, and business parks. The Wilkes-Barre Connect initiative is housed within one of our downtown Wilkes-Barre facilities – the Wilkes-Barre THINK Center. The Wilkes-Barre THINK Center is a 6,000-square-foot media and technology center that features three specific components: Conference/Training Rooms, including the Penn State Conference Room; Co-Working Space; and a 45-seat Lecture and Media Hall. The Wilkes-Barre THINK Center will also serve as the home of various events, competitions, and trainings coordinated through Wilkes-Barre Connect. Both the THINK Center and Wilkes-Barre Connect will officially launch on November 14, to coincide with the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Starting that Monday, the Wilkes-Barre THINK Center will partner with Penn State Wilkes-Barre to unveil the five major components of the 2017 Greater Wilkes-Barre Connect work plan.