TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty Open Applications The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Lackawanna County announce that applications are open for a third cohort of TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty this fall. The program is powered by Lackawanna County, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA, The Chamber, and its affiliate program, IGNITE. TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty is a 10-week, in-person experience in which participants can access mentors, educational resources, and subject matter experts on business formation strategies, customer discovery, marketing, financial planning, and risk management. The goal of the ten weeks is to build, share, and pitch their early-stage start-ups. “We are proud to be partners in the TechCelerator project with the Chamber and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners because we understand that small businesses are the economic backbone of Lackawanna County,” Commissioner Bill Gaughan said. “We also know that technology is dynamic, and that the world of technology-based start-ups is highly competitive. TechCelerator is a great tool for local entrepreneurs to learn what they need to know to compete, and to germinate their ideas.” Previous TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty programs have helped 15 entrepreneurs gain traction toward achieving their American dreams. In this third cohort, eight more can experience the same resources and excitement “We have continued to build a vibrant entrepreneurial infrastructure throughout Lackawanna County under the Chamber IGNITE program at the Scranton Enterprise Center, Jessup TekRidge Center, and the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center—in concert with a host of outstanding public and private sector partners who share the vision of growing new businesses with the talent we have right here in our region,” shared Bob Durkin. TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty is a competitive application process. All Lackawanna County residents with tech, for-profit business, or early start-up ideas are encouraged to apply”-please include that start-up businesses registered in Lackawanna County are included, not just Lackawanna County residents. To apply, visit ScrantonChamber.com and look for TechCelerator @LackawannaCounty under events. Applications close on Tuesday, September 10.
Misericordia University Introduces New Programs in Entrepreneurship and Criminology Misericordia University recently introduced two new majors for full-time students that begin in fall 2024. The College of Arts and Sciences added a new Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship is now available within the College of Business. “Our criminology degree was created to educate students in a wide range of issues and principles impacting crime in modern society,” says John Woznicki, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “It will prepare students for a career in law enforcement and various other fields related to the study and reduction of crime. We use an interdisciplinary approach, apply broad-based thinking skills in the Mercy tradition, and draw on the talents of our faculty in government, law, and national security as well as new faculty we’ve added to support this major.” Building on recent success in launching new majors, such as supply chain management and business economics, the College of Business is introducing entrepreneurship as a major for full-time students, as well as a certificate program for adult learners. Jim Pierson, J.D., CPA, dean of the College of Business says, “Entrepreneurship is an excellent major for students who desire to start their own businesses or who wish to apply their knowledge in an existing company as someone who promotes innovative product development and marketing. Students will apply appropriate thinking skills and technology to entrepreneurial activities to solve business problems and formulate sound business decisions.” Pierson adds that students can opt for a specialization in social entrepreneurship that will help them analyze the importance of ethical and social responsibilities and to foster innovation in applying entrepreneurial skills to address social issues impacting our communities through social ventures and responsive business operations. Misericordia University is a highly personal community of over 2,000 students in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As a private Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia emphasizes collaborative, hands-on learning and supports co-curricular activities by engaged faculty and staff. The university challenges students to excel academically, professionally, and socially and has notably superior graduation and retention rates. The university’s core values of Mercy, Service, Justice, and Hospitality underpin the more than 50 academic programs. Misericordia offers 31 Division III NCAA intercollegiate athletic programs, which include the new additions of STUNT, men’s and women’s wrestling, and men’s ice hockey. Misericordia University is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and is planning to welcome its second largest first-year class. For more information on any new or existing program, please visit www.misericordia.edu/academics.
Carbondale Technology Transfer Center’s 9th Annual Entrepreneurship Academy The Carbondale Technology Transfer Center (CTTC) held it’s 9th Annual Entrepreneurship Academy with students from Carbondale Area Jr/Sr High School, Forest City Regional High School, and Western Wayne High School. The CTTC’s Entrepreneurship Academy seeks to expose high school students (primarily sophomores and juniors) to the concept of entrepreneurship and its supporting characteristics. These business skills include leadership, marketing, effective business practices, and a spirit of independent thinking. Students participating in the program are educated through classroom instruction along with hands-on learning through the completion of a project in conjunction with a local business. This year, students worked with local businesses on project selected by the business owners. Carbondale Area students worked with Burning Bush Café to develop a marketing plan and pieces for one of their products. Cliff Krajkovich, owner of Burning Bush Cafe, tasked the students with developing different ways to market and promote his business, including their partnership with the Monastery. The students offered a variety of ways to highlight the business, including through social media. The winning team of students suggested creating “behind the scenes” videos that are popular on TikTok, which show how different menu items are made. Forest City Regional students worked with Birtchtown Weddings and Events to come up with some creative ways to market the venue for events other than weddings. Jessica Polednak, owner of Birchtown Weddings and Events, challenged the students with coming up with different ideas on how to utilize and market the property for events outside of wedding season. The class offered a variety of different ideas, ranging from indoor cornhole tournaments, to Santa’s Christmas Wonderland in December, to even a mechanical bull. Western Wayne students worked with Adams Cable to develop a marketing plan and pieces for their new product, Echoe Stream. Stephanie Kemmerer, Director of Marketing at Adams Cable, had the student teams develop a marketing plan for Echoe Stream and a target demographic of their market. They incorporated both on-air and print promotions to showcase the product and its advantages. Congratulations to all of this year’s Entrepreneurship Academy students on a very successful year and thank you to Cliff of Burning Bush Café, Stephanie, Claire, and Wendy of Adams Cable, and Jessica of Birchtown Weddings and Events, for your participation in this year’s Entrepreneurship Academy!
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Invests in IGNITE Client The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP_NEPA) board of directors has approved the investment of $252,500 in support of regional economic development. Five companies from BFTP_NEPA’s 21-county service area received funding. Investments identified as a continuation project indicates that the client achieved pre-determined milestones and is receiving more funding to accomplish additional project work. BFTP_NEPA announced the early-stage company investment of the GUIDE, IGNITE client of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. GUIDE, Scranton Enterprise Center, Scranton, Lackawanna County Ben Franklin Investment: $100,000 Complete the development of a new version of GUIDE’s mobile application and commercialize the app to organizations including mid-sized corporations, first responders, and veteran groups. GUIDE provides a wellness and mental health Software-as-a-Service mobile app. The app combines daily, micro-learning practices with a peer support community to improve mental and emotional well-being and provide personal, professional, and community development.
Chamber Announces Promotion of Brianna Florovito The Chamber is proud to announce the promotion of Brianna Florovito to IGNITE Program manager. IGNITE is the entrepreneurship and business incubation program of the Chamber, which helps new businesses grow in Lackawanna County. In this role, Brianna will manage the IGNITE Program by fostering entrepreneurs and their companies through education, counseling, networking, and mentorship. Her responsibilities include overall program management, client development, funding, marketing, events, and more. Brianna started at the Chamber in 2019 as the workforce and entrepreneurial development specialist where she focused on economic and workforce strategies for the Chamber and its affiliates – SLIBCO, The Scranton Plan, and Skills in Scranton. Brianna is also an instructor at Lackawanna College teaching GED classes. She recently co-authored an article “Subject Position and Manifestations of Workplace Followership” that was published in the Journal of Organizational Psychology.
SBDC Reimagining Your Creative Business Series The SBDC is premiering a new series geared toward creative entrepreneurs. This unique entrepreneurship series is designed to provide creative entrepreneurs of all types with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to reimagine their for-profit small business in the wake of COVID-19. Topics covered will include: Current Opportunities & Challenges for CreativesFine-Tuning FinanceReimagining Your Marketing & BrandingPutting Your Reimagined Plan into Action with Social Media & eCommerce The series will take place on Wednesdays in February from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, and businesses can attend one or more sessions. More information can be found at https://www.scrantonsbdc.com/reimagining-your-creative-business-series/.
