Powering Entrepreneurs @ PennWest

The Small Business Development Center at PennWest Clarion provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. The PennWest Clarion SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-on-one engagements to help them with a range of business issues.

Services for Businesses and Students

• Consulting services for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. Provides confidential one-on-one engagements to help with testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities and much more.
• Educational programs (in-person, virtual, on-demand options). Topics range from pre-venture planning (basics of business), to accounting and bookkeeping, marketing, employee safety, leadership development, and more. Most programming is at no cost, although there are admission fees for some.
• Tools, resources, templates that help in planning and operating a business.

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The PennWest Edinboro Beehive provides free marketing and branding services to regional small businesses. Student employees lead many of these services, taking part in vital experiential learning opportunities. The center is part of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network. 

Services for Businesses and Students

• Marketing: search engine optimization, social media, digital marketing, media relations, podcasting and much more.
• Design: logo development, branding materials, web design, packaging design and much more.
• Educational workshops and lectures around the region, touching on artificial intelligence, branding and social media marketing. 

Services for Students

• Start-up Hub: Entrepreneurial students at PennWest Edinboro are provided with office space, supplies, their own computer, networking and access to regional economic development tools.

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NWPAMade is a regional mission and business accelerator from the PennWest Edinboro Beehive and Bridgeway Capital. The mission focuses on local products and the artisans behind them. NWPAMade operates an annual business accelerator, in which 15 maker-entrepreneurs are provided with resources and education designed to help their business grow. 

Services for Businesses 

• Business accelerator: Annual program includes group lectures, 1-on-1 business coaching, service stipends, technical assistance and much more.
• Website: Accelerator members and key partners are centered on website: nwpamade.org. The highlight of this website is the interactive maker directory, in which customers can shop local and discover local service providers. 

Services for Students 

• Master of Fine Arts students, along with other PennWest entrepreneurs, are given the chance to apply for the NWPAMade program and website.

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Learn more about Bridgeway Capital

The Career Center’s mission is to educate and empower students through exploration, preparation, and application of skills and experiences to meet their definition of career and life success. The Career Center also assists businesses with internships and employee recruitment. 

Services for Businesses

• Helping employers connect with students, alumni, and other stakeholders via career network Handshake.
• Helping employers elevate their employee recruitment strategy.
• Sharing internship best practices and relevant data with employers.  

Services for Students

• Major and career exploration and planning.  
• Job and salary data, and graduate outcome data.  
• Virtual job simulation projects.
• Preparation of resumes, cover letters.
• Preparing for interviews.
• Facilitating career events for interested students.
• Helping in applying for jobs, internships, and graduate/professional school.

PennWest University Career Center
PennWest University Experiential Learning Center

The Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO) is an APEX Accelerator based at PennWest California, with satellite offices in Pittsburgh and Cranberry Township. Since 1985, the office has helped companies obtain more than $4.9 billion in contracts. It serves the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Services for Businesses

• Government Registrations/Certifications: They provide assistance to complete federal, state, and local registrations and certifications (SAM, DSBS, PA Supplier Portal, PAUCP, SBA 8(a), Veteran, HUBZone, WOSB Certifications, & others).
• Individual Counseling: Receive one-on-one counseling on identifying your procurement codes, marketing strategies, bid preparation, understanding requirements, subcontracting, and other specific areas of need.
• Bid Matching: Obtain bid opportunities from federal, state, and local government sources tailored to the products and/or services your business provides.
• Education and Training: Gain free entry to monthly seminars and webinars focused on government procurement topics. Attend our annual Procurement Fair for networking and educational opportunities at a minimal cost.

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PennWest is a recognized regional leader in business education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. With outstanding academic programs, immersive learning experiences, and strong ties to industry and community partners, the School of Business equips students to lead, innovate, and drive economic growth throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond. 

Services for Businesses and Students

• The School of Business provides internship candidates from a variety of majors, including accounting, business administration, marketing and more. 
• The “Entrepreneurship Essentials” certificate is intended for tomorrow’s innovators who strive to acquire the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to thrive as new or existing entrepreneurs. It is focused on the operational fundamentals of running a business. This 15-credit certificate program can stand alone, be stacked, or be applied toward a two-year or four-year degree in business or other fields.
• The “Entrepreneurship Leadership” certificate focuses on building overall entrepreneurial confidence and leadership skills. This 15-credit certificate program can stand alone, be stacked, or be applied toward a two-year or four-year degree in business or other fields. 

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The Department of Computing & Engineering Technology prepares students for careers in fast-growing, high impact fields, ranging from robotics and gaming to green energy, biotechnology and more. The department provides website development to regional businesses. 

Services for Businesses and Students

• Complex website creation/design through the department’s senior capstone and senior project courses.
• Simple website development/design through the department’s “Introduction to Website Development” course.
• The Department of Computing & Engineering Technology provides internship candidates from a variety of degree programs. 

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The Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies (CAIET) serves as the primary gateway for students, faculty, and regional partners to begin their AI journey. Our mission is to foster an environment where AI is utilized ethically as a powerful tool for academic discovery and professional support. Through innovation and research, the Center aims to empower the PennWest University community and beyond to navigate the intersection of humanity and technology, ensuring that emerging tools enhance rather than replace disciplinary expertise.

Services for Businesses

• AI and Technology Training: Offering workshops and specialized training to embed AI literacy, technology skills, tools, and strategies into professional workflows.
• Ethical AI Consultation: Providing one-on-one or group consulting guidance on the responsible implementation of AI tools, along with policy development focusing on maintaining academic integrity, ethical standards, and tools in business, education and other organizations.
• Strategic Resource Access: Serving as a centralized point for accessing a curated taxonomy of AI and other technology tools, research, and emerging technology frameworks.
• Talent Pipeline and Recruitment: Connecting organizations to CAIET Student Ambassadors and graduates specifically trained in ethical AI application and technical skill sets.
• Collaborative Innovation: Partnering across sectors including business, manufacturing, K-12 and higher education, health sciences, and non-profits to explore AI application in regional development.

Services for Students

• Research Discovery & Support: Assisting students in using AI as a scaffold for inquiry, including building custom chatbots and agents to enhance real-world employability.
• Training: Offering workshops and specialized training in areas such as AI literacy, technology skills, ethical AI, bias, technology tools, and strategies for professional and study workflows.
• Workforce Preparation: Equipping students with the AI competencies required to lead and work in a technology-driven economy.
• Workforce Readiness and Credentialing: Equipping students with the AI competencies and recognized credentials that signal leadership to employers in sports marketing, education, and beyond.
• Environmental Impact Awareness: Providing education on "green" AI practices, focusing on the energy costs of large models and the impact of data center deployment.
• Student AI and Technology Ambassadors: Developing Student AI and Technology Ambassadors who lead peer mentorship, advocate for digital equity, and present on the intersection of AI and creative projects. 

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