Access Key
PSU
Access is available to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Must be accessed from a University Libraries' webpage (including this one) when off-campus or using campus WiFi
PSU - VPN
Access is available to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff when connected to the GlobalProtect VPN
PSU & Alumni Library
Access is available to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Members of the Penn State Alumni Association can also access a version of this resource through the Alumni Library Online
PA Residents
Access is available to all Pennsylvania residents
Community
Access is available to everyone
Contact an Entrepreneurship Librarian
University Park
Entrepreneurship
Sara F. Hess
sfh5542@psu.edu
Schedule an online or in person research consultation with me at https://calendly.com
/sfh5542
Altoona
Entrepreneurship and Patents & Trademarks
Lori Lysiak
Consultations by appointment:
814-949-5252
lal29@psu.edu
Berks
Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Patents & Trademarks
Sarah Hartman-Caverly
smh767@psu.edu
610-396-6243
Creating a Business Plan
- Write Your Business Plan - SBALearn about the elements of a business plan
Templates & Tools
- Business Planning & Financial Statements Template Gallery - SCOREDownloadable templates covering business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management
- Lean Canvas - PSU Libraries worksheet for alumni & visitorsAdaptation of Ash Maurya's Lean Canvas, a single-page business model template
- Business Model Canvas TemplateA one page overview that lays out both what you do (or want to do), and how you go about doing it. Created by Alexander Osterwalder and featured in his book, Business Model Generation
- Business Model Canvas ExplainedA 2-minute video overview of the Business Model Canvas
- Test CardStrategyzer's Test Card is a practical (lean startup) tool that helps you validate your business ideas and design experiments that test your assumptions about your customer
Sample Business Plans
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Business Plan IndexChose an industry category to see a listing of sample business plans within that industry. Offers a combination of plans available online and in print
- BplansFree website of business plans for a variety of business types
Pitches
- The Early Pitch Decks of 25 Startups Before They Became Billion-Dollar Companies - CB InsightsArticle featuring early pitch decks from companies including Airbnb, LinkedIn, Uber, and YouTube
- Business Plan Presentation Template - SCOREDownloadable presentation template created by SCORE with suggestions for what information should be covered on each slide
- Pitch Deck Templates - CanvaPitch deck presentation templates
Legal Resources
Please that while the University Libraries will help individuals identify legal resources, we can not, and will not, give legal advice.
Legal Clinics
- Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic - Penn State LawProvides legal counsel to entrepreneurs on topics such as business/entity formation; founder agreements; employee agreements and management; and investor term sheets. Services are provided by Penn State Law students under the supervision of an attorney
- Penn State Law Intellectual Property ClinicProvides pro bono (free) IP counseling services to individuals, start-ups and small businesses with limited financial resources
Registering Your Business
- Choose Your Business Structure - SBAExplanations of each business structure and how it may be applicable to your business
Access: Community - Register Your Business - PA Business One-Stop ShopInformation on the process for registering a business in Pennsylvania
Access: Community - PA Business Registration FormsBusiness registration forms from the PA Department of Revenue
Access: Community - Starting a Business - IRSInformation for new business owners about federal taxes. Includes links to state business and tax websites
Access: Community - Starting a New Business in State CollegeInformation about registering a business in the Borough of State College
Access: Community