Contact a Business Librarian
dxz2@psu.edu | 814-865-1013
ccc143@psu.edu | 814-865-6493
krh7@psu.edu | 814-865-0141
lmr29@psu.edu | 814-865-4414
lmw62@psu.edu | 814-865-2295
Getting Started
Blogs
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Startup Lessons LearnedEric Ries coined the term "Lean Startup" and blogs regularly on topics of interests to entrepreneurs, specifically in regards to lean internet startups.
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YCombinatorMake something people want.
Podcasts
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How I Built This with Guy RazGuy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.
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Side Hustle SchoolIt's a daily podcast, a traveling workshop series, and an action-packed book—all designed to help you create a new source of income without quitting your day job.
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Masters of ScaleMasters of Scale is an original podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of LinkedIn and Investor at Greylock. In each episode, Reid shows how companies grow from zero to a gazillion, testing his theories with legendary leaders. Masters of Scale is the first American media program to commit to a 50-50 gender balance for guests. It won the 2018 People’s Voice Webby for Best Business Podcast.
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Freakonomics PodcastDiscover the hidden side of everything with Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything.
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Startup NationWeb-based community of business owners and entrepreneurs who share advice and stimulate debate about business startups.
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Startup GrindLocal entrepreneurs networking groups.
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SBA (Small Business Administration)provides extensive information on starting a business. This site provides answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions on starting a small business.
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Starting a Business (IRS)What new business owners need to know about federal taxes. Includes information how to obtain an EIN, an Employer Identification Number which is used to identify a business entity. Also, provides links to state business and tax websites.
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Invent Penn StateClearinghouse for support networks available for entrepreneurs including 21 innovation hubs located around the commonwealth that offer co-working space, accelerators, legal and IP advice and rapid prototyping resources--all free to the community.
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BusinessUSAConnects businesses to services and information from agency websites, call centers, and offices, representing a full range of programs and services available from federal agencies.
Pennsylvania Business Libraries
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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Small Business GuidanceThe Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh offers small business guidance in the form of books, business databases, and expert assistance. A CLP library card is free to all Pennsylvania residents.
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Free Library of Philadelphia: Business Resource and Innovation CenterAssist entrepreneurs in the for-profit and nonprofit arenas at every stage, helping to improve their skills through public programs and individualized guidance in research and planning. A FLP library card is free to all Pennsylvania residents.
Counseling and Mentorship Groups
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Invent Penn State Resource NavigatorA searchable inventory of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem resources around our 21 innovation hubs across Pennsylvania.
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Small Business Development CentersOffers free, one-on-one, long term advising for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
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SCORE: Service Corps of Retired Executiveshas partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free information to small businesses.
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Ben Franklin Technology PartnersProviding direct funding, business assistance and networking opportunities to early-stage and established technology firms throughout PA.
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Women Business CentersThis site provides information for women entrepreneurs.
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Penn State University Libraries' Business Research Services
Get help gathering information about your customers, competition, and industry to better understand the opportunities and limitations of your business idea.
Penn State University Libraries' Business Research Services can help you:
- Map out competitors, partners, and suppliers
- Gather consumer demographics
- Track trends, attitudes, and behaviors
- Determine market size, demand, and market segments
- Identify industry opportunities, challenges, and outlook
- Discover forms of funding for your startup