Need something to do before rocking out to Lupe Fiasco at Friday’s Movin On’? Forget gravity bongs and shots of cheap vodka, why not pre-game with an informative gathering of entrepreneurial talent?

The innovative minds at Innoblue are hosting their first ever Penn State Innovation Expo this Friday from 12-3 p.m. in the HUB Alumni Hall. Those responsibly attending (and not slugging Lions Head) will find a showcase of progressive start-up ventures seeking to publicize their ideas while recruiting potential collaborators and investors.

The event will break down into three parts.

From the start of the expo until 1:30 p.m. booths will be set up in involvement-fair like fashion. You can meander through the rows of tri-fold and free pens to check out a diverse range of innovations and “why didn’t I think of that” products. This will be a chance to get formally acquainted with the talent present.

Then there will be an hour long featured presentation by BlueTree Allied Angels member, Joe Barron. The discussion will focus on what it takes to achieve membership in BlueTree, a capital investment firm that allocates start-up money to early-stage business ventures. Every aspect of attracting investors will be addressed by Barron, an entrepreneur with over 25 year of experience as board member, vice president and founder of several companies. With a motto like, “where opportunities meet capital,” this lecture may be a great way to take your million-dollar idea to the next level.

To wrap up the expo, the last half hour will be dedicated to good old fashioned shaking hands and kissing babies. Attendees will be able to network with investors and innovators during an informal meet and greet session.

The organizations represented so far are made up of 11 student start-ups, 2 faculty start-ups, 3 new businesses from downtown, 2 innovative student groups and several other entrepreneurial programs, according to event organizer Drew Mohoric.

Admission to the expo is free for students and community members. If you want a chance to show off your innovative ventures, booth space is available upon request by clicking here. This is your shot to get your ideas out to not only the Penn State community but investors and successful business leader.

Innoblue’s Innovation Expo is an attempt to mend the disconnect in Penn State’s entrepreneurial community through networking and marketing of ideas. It’s a great way to get your soon-to-be famous plans out to investors and business veterans. It also can also be a way to foster a rapport with potential collaborators.

There is a wealth of creative thinkers and future CEOs right here in State College. It wouldn’t hurt if they had your business card in their back pockets.