Shenango LaunchBox Officially Open for Business in Downtown Sharon!

On Wednesday, Ocotber 18^th, the Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially unveil their new space located at Hope Center for Arts and Technology, Inc!

The LindenPointe Development Corporation (LDC) team including Jeff Meier, LDC Executive Director, Katie Parr, eAcademy Program Director, and Craig Columbus, LDC Board of Directors Chairperson, were in attendance and thrilled to support another resource added to our entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Mercer County. Congrats to all those involved in bringing the LaunchBox to our Valley including Tom Roberts, Executive Director and Project Coordinator of the Shenango LaunchBox!

Their mantra, “Don’t Quit Your Daydream!” encourages entrepreneurs to ignite their imagination and to make a plan to turn their dream into a reality! The Shenango LaunchBox has programs and strategic partnership that meet you where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, including:

• E-SHIP 1:1- an interactive session where they discuss your progress so far and talk about any resources that can help you move forward. In addition to their programs, they might also be able to connect you with regional partners who can help.
• IDEA DESINGLAB (IDL)- a workshop that helps aspiring entrepreneurs design, develop and refine business ideas and identify the next steps in the start-up process. Need help figuring out your big idea and narrowing it down? IDL is for you.
• IDEA TESTLAB (ITL)- a “customer discovery” investigation designed to help you better understand the customer, the problem you’re trying to solve, and how to provide value in a differentiated way- all with the guidance of mentors and coaches.
• SPEAKER SERIES- learn from entrepreneurs who have been there (and done that!) and hear subject matter experts share their wisdom and expertise. These events are for entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike.

While their primary focus is on entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of ideation and pre-acceleration (figuring out if there’s a market), we hope that some of those entrepreneurs find their home at the eCenter Business Incubator once their startup has matured. We are looking forward to working with the Shenango LaunchBox and partnering with them in whatever way we can to continue to build business here in the Valley and drive economic development from the ground up!