Invent Penn State LaunchBoxes^TM at Brandywine and Great Valley and the Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n), an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), are partnering to deliver a new pitch competition to support entrepreneurs and innovators across all of southeastern Pennsylvania.

The LionCage is a new event that features pitch presentations across four categories:

• Early Stage Startup
• Experienced Startup,
• Student Startup
• Social Impact Initiative – presented by United Way of Chester County

“LionCage is a targeted opportunity for startups of all levels to showcase their ideas with an audience of highly engaged supporters, advisors and investors across southeastern Pennsylvania’s innovation ecosystem,” said Matt Cabrey, Director of CCEDC’s i2n initiative, which helps startups transform their ideas from concept to commercialization.  

Presented in partnership with the LaunchBoxes at Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Great Valley, LionCage offers a $5,000 prize for each of the four categories and a “best of show” recipient selected from those four categories that offer an additional $10,000 prize for one of the participants.

“Helping startups across Pennsylvania’s communities is exactly what Invent Penn State LaunchBoxes do every day, and we are excited to develop and deliver LionCage to support entrepreneurs while providing resources to current and aspiring businesses in our local neighborhoods,”  said Tony Mattei, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Penn State Brandywine LaunchBox. 

LionCage’s Social Impact Initiative category is presented in partnership with United Way of Chester County to showcase companies and projects that are focused on solving societal challenges while also developing a successful business.

“We want to encourage and celebrate ideas that are working toward improving societal issues alongside ideas that are focused on financial returns and on solving business challenges, too,” said Kelly Cockshaw, Director of Leadership & Innovation with the United Way of Chester County.  “It’s an important distinction, and we are proud to help deliver on this vision.”

Set for Friday, November 8, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and hosted at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern, LionCage is a one-day gathering that offers exposure, connections and access for creators and innovators who are transforming their industries and our society.  

Registration, which is open through the end of this week, and sponsorship information is available on the LionCage Pitch Competition website.