{"id":24158,"date":"2025-11-04T10:25:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/24158\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T10:25:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:25:12","slug":"berks-launchbox-announces-new-team-members-grant-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/24158\/","title":{"rendered":"Berks LaunchBox Announces New Team Members, Grant Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From Berks LaunchBox<\/p>\n<p>Berks LaunchBox, powered by Penn State, recently welcomed three new members to its team and celebrated seven new recipients\u00a0of its\u00a0IMAGINE Your Business\u00a0grant.<\/p>\n<p>Meet Berks LaunchBox\u2019s New Team Members<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"340\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124020\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-03-at-1.58.45-PM.png\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"841\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-03-at-1.58.45-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124020\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>Gary Seibert, Startup Support Coach<\/p>\n<p>Many of you already know Gary from Idea TestLab, where he\u2019s been a trusted coach and mentor for many years. Berks LaunchBox is thrilled to officially welcome him to the team for a few hours each week!<\/p>\n<p>Gary has been an entrepreneur for over 55 years, founding and growing two multi-million-dollar international companies. After selling those businesses, he launched a leadership development company and now serves as CEO of the Small Business Resource Association (SBRA).<\/p>\n<p>A master of strategic planning, project management, and company turnarounds, Gary brings a wealth of experience helping businesses increase profitability and reach their growth potential. He also started a not-for-profit (Emerging Entrepreneurs Academy) for high school students, and also teaches entrepreneurship and business success at conferences and conventions.<\/p>\n<p>Gary will be at the Berks LaunchBox every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and you can make an appointment with him by emailing him at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bctv.org\/2025\/11\/04\/berks-launchbox-announces-new-team-members-grant-winners\/mailto:grs5598@psu.edu?subject=Would%20like%20to%20meet%20with%20you%20Gary\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">grs5598@psu.edu<\/a>. If you haven\u2019t filled out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=fd9004f9fc&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the intake form<\/a>, please do that first and request to meet Gary.<\/p>\n<p>Amanda Kue, Student Makerspace Assistant<\/p>\n<p>Berks LaunchBox is excited to welcome Amanda Kue, a mechanical engineering major in her third year at Penn State Berks, originally from Mohnton, PA. Amanda is passionate about innovation and enjoys using her engineering background to help bring creative ideas to life.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll find Amanda assisting with LaunchBox drop-ins on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and supporting makerspace classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew Linares, Student Makerspace Assistant<\/p>\n<p>Berks LaunchBox is also thrilled to welcome Andrew Linares, a senior majoring in electromechanical engineering technology at Penn State Berks and a native of Coatesville, PA.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew has been a familiar face at the LaunchBox, where he previously worked on CNC fixtures and 3D-printed prototypes while employed at Duryea Technologies. He\u2019s eager to share his hands-on experience and assist anyone bringing their ideas to life.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew will be supporting LaunchBox drop-ins on Mondays from noon to 4 p.m. and makerspace classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.<\/p>\n<p>Meet Berks LaunchBox\u2019s Seven New Imagine Your Business Grant Recipients<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"393\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124021\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-03-at-2.01.41-PM.png\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-03-at-2.01.41-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124021\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>The Berks LaunchBox, powered by Penn State, has announced\u00a0seven recipients\u00a0of its\u00a0IMAGINE Your Business\u00a0grant, each receiving up to\u00a0$2,000\u00a0to accelerate early-stage business growth. Supported by the\u00a0county of Berks, the program helps local entrepreneurs with key startup needs, such as prototyping, marketing, and product development.<\/p>\n<p>This latest round of funding highlights the creativity and diversity of Berks County\u2019s entrepreneurial community, with ventures spanning\u00a0technology, mental health, landscape design, jewelry, and artisan goods:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=8162828bd7&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alison Woo Designs<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Creates one-of-a-kind, sustainable jewelry using semi-precious stones and fine metals to capture meaningful moments.<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=4eedd5f019&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emotional Compass<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Provides bilingual, trauma-informed therapy services for individuals, couples, and families in a culturally connected setting.<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=f2389c9d15&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">KimonoMono<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 A marketing and sales alignment agency helping small businesses grow through brand strategy, web design, and lead-generation systems.LumiVillage\u00a0\u2013 A community-powered app connecting neighbors to teach and learn everyday skills through local 1:1 lessons and group classes.<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=aeec1d12b3&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">On Brand Moments LLC<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Offers personalized laser engraving for gifts and events, including real-time \u201cJust-in-Time\u201d customization at live venues.<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=651cbc31a2&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wildcraft Landscapes LLC<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Designs and maintains sustainable, native-plant landscapes and rain gardens that support healthy ecosystems.<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=a58ee3e97d&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wolfe Counseling and Wellness LLC<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Focuses on evidence-based mental health treatment that builds strong, trusting therapeutic relationships.<\/p>\n<p>Each startup will report back within six months on how the funding helped move their business forward. Applications for the next round of grants are now open.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/psu.us15.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=5ac33d3cabad39b19cd29b4df&amp;id=4188c230c3&amp;e=15b5861eed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/berkslaunchbox.psu.edu\/help\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Request free help from the Berks LaunchBox.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From Berks LaunchBox Berks LaunchBox, powered by Penn State, recently welcomed three new members to its team and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24159,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[128,130,129],"class_list":["post-24158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-reading","tag-reading-city","tag-reading-city-headlines","tag-reading-city-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}