Eight early-stage business startups were accepted into the fall 2023 FastTrack Accelerator program by Happy Valley Launchbox, the university announced.

Thirty-two applications were received, and eight were selected to participate in the 10-week business acceleration program.

Happy Valley LaunchBox’s FastTrack Accelerator aims to help entrepreneurs avoid common startup mistakes, model a business launch plan, and create solutions from customer feedback. Chosen participants are able to access one-on-one professional mentoring, market test funds, and up to $2,000 towards startup funding.

The program concludes with a final pitch event on November 15 during Penn State’s Global Entrepreneurship Week.

“What sets the participants chosen for this fall’s FastTrack apart is their unique blend of innovation, determination, and coachability,” Jack White Family Director of Happy Valley LaunchBox Elizabeth Hay said.

Let’s meet this semester’s FastTrack teams.

Bootleg Boomerangs

Bootleg Boomerangs handcrafts wooden boomerangs but is aiming to transition to recycled materials in the future. The team is led by Riley Auer, an undergraduate student in the College of Engineering.

Fatal Ambition

A multinational gaming media entertainment company, Fatal Ambition plans to develop leagues, players, and talent to expand the Latin American esports market. The organization also doubles as a lifestyle and apparel organization. Founder Jeffery Ramos is an undergraduate student in the Eberly College of Science.

Glosoap

Glosoap is a soap that glows under black light and is intended to reveal spots the user misses when washing their hands. Julian Fanghanel, a graduate student in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, is striving to make hand hygiene a bit more fun for children with her creation.

Kaleidoscope PA LLC

An art education company owned by College of Engineering assistant dean Sarah Zappe, Kaledioscope PA LLC strives to empower individuals as they recognize the connection between well-being and art. Zappe’s goal is for participants to learn to embrace their inner artist.

OfferPilot

OfferPilot is an artificial intelligence program helping college students land the highest amount of job offers in the least amount of time. The team consists of College of Engineering undergraduate students Omar Rady, Omer Kandemir, Stephen Leshko, and Yajat Dewan.

Ramaniyam

Ramaniyam designs high-quality Indian luxury wear for Indian Americans living in the United States. Ruthvik Uttarala, a College of Engineering student, aims to eliminate the hassle of finding the right outfit through this tailored-to-fit process.

Scotia Adventures

Scotia Adventures, created by State College community member Phil Wood, is an educational consulting and summer science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) children’s camp.

TrueHue

TrueHue is a modern color vision test that works to understand color vision deficiency in the digital age. Working with doctors and industry professionals, TrueHue utilizes research when creating innovative solutions. Connor Sheehan and Shakeb Siddiqui, two undergraduate College of Engineering students, co-founded the startup.