A Penn State Philanthropic Investment Fund
Early Investment for Penn State Technology-Based Startups
Penn State discoveries have the potential to transform industries, improve lives, and create economic value—but too often stall when early capital is needed to move from the lab to a viable startup.
The Momentum Fund helps by providing early investment to support Penn State innovations as they move toward commercialization and real-world impact.
Bridging the Gap from Discovery to Market
Promising technologies often reach a critical point where additional funding is needed to continue development. Without early-stage investment, many innovations are unable to progress beyond initial research. The Momentum Fund addresses this gap by providing targeted support at a pivotal stage—helping research-based startups advance, attract follow-on investment, and move toward real-world application.
Early Investment
Providing critical capital at a pivotal stage to help technologies move beyond initial research and into active development and early commercialization.
Startup Development
Supporting the launch of research-based companies by helping founders take early steps toward building and growing a viable business.
Technology advancement
Advancing promising innovations toward market readiness through continued development, validation, and preparation for follow-on funding.
Expanding the Impact of Penn State Innovation
New Companies Launched
Transforming promising research into startup companies by helping innovations move from the lab into real-world application and market entry.
Faster Path to Market
Accelerating commercialization by providing early capital that enables continued development, validation, and readiness for follow-on investment.
Entrepreneurs Supported
Empowering Penn State faculty, researchers, and students to take the next step—turning ideas into ventures with the support needed to grow.
Economic Impact Across PA
Strengthening the state’s innovation economy by advancing technologies that create jobs, attract investment, and drive long-term growth.
Funding For Your Startup
The Momentum Fund provides initial investment opportunities for promising newly formed companies advancing Penn State intellectual property. Researchers and startups meeting the criteria below are encouraged to apply
Criteria may include:
- Established legal entity in the United States (LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp)
- Fully executed license or option to utilize Penn State intellectual property
- Dedicated and coachable leadership team
- Demonstrated proof of concept via minimum viable product or comparable progress in regulated industry
- Successful completion of an I-Corps program, similar customer discovery program, or demonstrated understanding of the target market
- Believe the company has the realistic potential to subsequently obtain sufficient additional investment to reach profitability
For additional application information, please contact Steve Carpenter at sbc135@psu.edu.
“At Penn State, we see the promise of our world-class research every day. When researchers and investors come together with the right support at the right time, that innovation has the power to transform industries, improve lives, and drive economic growth—turning breakthrough ideas into real-world impact.”
Steve Carpenter, MBA
Director, Research Startups
Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization
Philanthropy Plays an Important Role
With a generous founding gift from Dr. Richard Gottscho, the Momentum Fund is now positioned to grow—inviting additional partners to expand its reach and impact. As companies succeed, returns are reinvested to support future startups—creating a sustainable, evergreen model that continues to expand Penn State’s innovation impact.
Help Penn State Innovation Gain Momentum
Moving innovation forward at its most critical stage.
Your support provides the initial investment needed to move high-potential technologies forward—helping startups advance development, validate their approach, and position themselves for future growth and investment.
More than a contribution, a gift to the Momentum Fund is an investment in the future of innovation—one that supports researchers, empowers entrepreneurs, and drives meaningful economic impact.
An investment in Penn State.
An investment in innovation.
An investment in what’s next.
INVESTMENT OVERVIEW
$50K–$100K
Typical investment range
Early-Stage Focus
Supporting high-potential, research-based startups
Pivotal Timing
Investment at key moments to keep ideas moving forward
Evergreen Model
Returns are reinvested to sustain future innovation
To Learn How You Can Support the Momentum Fund.
Contact Heather Winfield, Director of Campaign & University Initiatives, at hbw11@psu.edu
We gratefully recognize the following supporters of the Momentum Fund:
Dr. Richard A. Gottscho and Ms. Yuko Yamao
Laurence and Mary Shenk Thorwart
We are excited to continue expanding this group of visionary donors who are investing in the future of Penn State.
Ideas In Motion
Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success.
Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and university / community / industry collaborations to facilitate the challenging process of turning research discoveries into valuable products and services that can benefit Pennsylvanians and humankind.
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