The following were winners of the Innovation and Business Idea Challenge:<\/p>\n
\u2022 EggShare Network, developed by Hannah Pham, marketing major. The network\u2019s mission is to create a community-based network where local small-scale farmers and backyard producers can contribute surplus eggs via a centralized digital platform. This platform would connect suppliers directly with local food banks, schools and households in need.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Finish Me, developed by Minnich Tang Chuy, finance major. An app that provides information on upcycled cafeteria surplus that can be transformed into safe, affordable meals. Students would be able to reserve or buy via the app and scan a pickup code to purchase food at discounted rates.<\/p>\n
\u2022 FoodWaste, developed by a team of engineering students including Gage Fulmer, mechanical; Sara Christine, environmental; Amelia Knott, aerospace; and Conner Semel, electro-mechanical engineering technology. The team created an interactive exhibit in the college\u2019s dining hall that uses scales to show how much money is lost through waste, based on different meal plans. It will also include an infographic highlighting food waste and food insecurity on college campuses.<\/p>\n
The Innovaiton and Business Idea Challenge\u2019s goal is to provide seed money to promising student ideas, said Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems, director of the Flemming CEED Center and program chair of the entrepreneurship and innovation minor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur primary objective with this competition is to allow students to utilize their Penn State Berks education to become entrepreneurs and start businesses that can create jobs in our local community,\u201d Kulturel-Konak said in a release.<\/p>\n
IMAGINE Your Business winners<\/p>\n
IMAGINE Your Business Grants were awarded to early-stage entrepreneurs who demonstrated creativity and drive, Penn State Berks said.<\/p>\n
Grant recipients represent a range of industries and services, from technology and mental health to landscape design and artisan goods.<\/p>\n
The following were recipients of IMAGINE Your Business Grants:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wildcraft Landscapes LLC, founded by Nathan Tietbohl, designs, installs, and maintains ecologically grounded landscapes using native plants, rain gardens and stormwater management solutions. Its mission is to blend natural beauty with environmental sustainability, creating thriving ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Alison Woo Designs, founded by Alison Woo, creates one-of-a-kind jewelry using semi-precious stones and fine metals to craft pieces for special occasions and every day. The brand focuses on sustainability and customization, helping clients express individuality through thoughtfully designed, timeless pieces.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LumiVillage, founded by Amna and Syed Fahad Hussein, is an app that helps community members connect to teach and learn everyday skills through one-on-one lessons and group classes. With verified profiles, ratings, reviews and background checks, the app aims to make it easy for students to find reliable local coaches.<\/p>\n
\u2022 On Brand Moments LLC, founded by Danielle Hettler, delivers laser engraving on wood, metal, glass and acrylic for gifts and to promote branding. They offer \u201cjust-in-time\u201d customization on location, along with color engraving on metal and custom photo engraving.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Emotional Compass, founded by Liscenced Professional Counselor Hilary Aponte-Chimelis, provides trauma-informed, perinatal and family therapy services. Aponte-Chimelis offers bilingual counseling for individuals, couples and families, focusing on holistic well-being and cultural connection.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wolfe Counseling and Wellness LLC, founded by Licensed Professional Counselor Jenna Wolfe, provides evidence-based mental health treatment with a focus on building strong, trusting therapeutic relationships. Wolfe Counseling creates a safe and supportive environment where clients can achieve meaningful emotional growth.<\/p>\n
\u2022 KimonoMono, founded by Adrian Heredia, is a marketing and sales alignment agency that helps small- and mid-sized businesses turn brand clarity into measurable growth. They provide integrated services, including brand positioning, digital presence and web strategy, lead-generation systems, and a five-step marketing and sales playbook.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proud to partner with Berks County to empower early-stage entrepreneurs,\u201d said Erica Kunkel, director of Berks LaunchBox. \u201cThis support ensures that promising ideas have the funding they need to grow, succeed and make a meaningful impact right here in our region.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Budding](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765291189_754_LB-IMAGINE-Your-Business-Grant-recipients.jpg\")
Budding community entrepreneurs who demonstrated creativity and drive were awarded IMAGINE Your Business grants at a ceremony in November at Penn State Berks. (Courtesy of Penn State Berks)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Penn State Berks recognized budding entrepreneurs and student innovators at its Berks Innovation Awards Ceremony. For the first…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51330,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[349,60,182,28,128,130,129],"class_list":{"0":"post-56207","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reading","8":"tag-berks-county","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-local-news","11":"tag-pennsylvania","12":"tag-reading-city","13":"tag-reading-city-headlines","14":"tag-reading-city-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56207","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=56207"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56207\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}