HARRISBURG, PA (Oct. 13, 2026) — Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) welcomed leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to campus on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a press conference about the Venture Studio Grant Program, part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s new Innovate in PA 2.0 initiative.
DCED Secretary Rick Siger and Jen Gilburg, DCED deputy secretary for technology and entrepreneurship, were joined by state Sen. Patty Kim, state Rep. Nate Davidson, Harrisburg Regional Chamber CEO and President Ryan Unger, and HU leadership and students.
Innovate in PA 2.0 is funded with $125 million in the 2026-27 state budget. It is designed to expand access to venture capital, speed up the commercialization of research and new technologies, build a statewide clinical trials network for the life sciences, and strengthen regional innovation ecosystems. The goal is to help promising companies grow and stay in Pennsylvania instead of moving elsewhere.
The Venture Studio Grant Program is one part of that effort. It supports the creation and growth of venture studios, which turn promising technologies and ideas into scalable, high-growth Pennsylvania companies. It has two phases. Planning Grants help organizations decide whether a venture studio is feasible, and Operational Grants help new studios move into active company-building.
“Harrisburg University is a key driver of workforce in Central Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Siger. “Every day, students are learning STEM skills that put them on pathways for in-demand tech jobs. That’s critical for students as they pursue great jobs, but it’s equally important for employers statewide. Innovation is not just an enabler of economic growth. It’s a requirement. In PA, we are pretty lucky. We have so many of the ingredients that lead to a powerful innovation economy. We’ve got incredible universities all across Pennsylvania, including one we’re sitting in right now, that are fostering great new talent and startups, spinouts, and new businesses all across Pennsylvania.”
At HU, this work connects directly to its STEM-focused academic programs, its partnerships with healthcare leaders in Central Pennsylvania such as Select Medical and UPMC, and its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), which has supported 22 startups since 2019 and raised over $12 million in investment capital. In 2025, the CIE received Insight Into Academia’s “Inspiring Programs in Business” Award.
“We appreciate DCED’s leadership and the Shapiro Administration’s investment in helping Pennsylvania turn promising ideas into growing businesses, high-quality jobs, and new opportunities,” said Lorelee Isbell, HU’s vice president for external affairs and strategic growth. “This is a fitting place to have that conversation. Harrisburg University brings science and technology into the world of business and workforce development. For us, that means connecting the expertise of our faculty, the talent of our students, and the needs of employers and communities to solve real problems.”
Watch the full press conference below.
To learn more about Innovate in PA 2.0, visit DCED.PA.gov.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Director of Communications for Harrisburg University, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100 ext. 1724.
# # #
