Women entrepreneurs compete for funding at Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Ladies Pitch Competition

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — June 25, 2026 — Five women entrepreneurs pitched their businesses before a panel of regional business leaders during the fourth annual LaunchBox Ladies Pitch Competition on June 24 at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Hosted by Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, the annual competition provides women entrepreneurs with the opportunity to present their businesses, receive expert feedback and compete for funding to help accelerate business growth.

Following an evening of live presentations and judging, Virginia Ellen of Allentown, PA, founder of Hangout for Art, earned the Grand Prize, receiving $2,500 and 2026 tax preparation services. Ellen also captured the Audience Choice Award, earning an additional $1,000 through audience voting.Hangout for Art operates in a studio on Hamilton Boulevard in Allentown, and offers fluid art and resin products designed workshops, networking gatherings and team building.

April Schiel, founder of Empowering Transit, received the Runner-Up Award and a $1,500 prize.The company aims to provide wheelchair-friendly recreational transportation throughout the Lehigh Valley.

"This competition reflects Penn State's land-grant mission in action by connecting entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship and resources they need to transform ideas into thriving businesses," said Tina Richardson, chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley. "When we invest in women entrepreneurs, we strengthen local businesses, create new opportunities and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of our region."

Each entrepreneur delivered a five-minute business pitch followed by up to five minutes of questions from the judges. Competitors were evaluated on the strength of their business idea, market opportunity, business model, presentation skills and responses during the question-and-answer session. Audience members also participated by selecting the recipient of the Audience Choice Award through electronic voting.

The five finalists represented a diverse range of businesses and industries:

• Ali “Amac” McGuire, founder of Amaculent Mindset, a business focused on mindset, music and motivation.
• April Schiel, founder of Empowering Transit, a non-medical wheelchair transportation service.
• Lisa Pammer, founder of Green Pond Packaging, a wholesale supplier of compostable packaging.
• Virginia Ellen, founder of Hangout for Art, which fosters creativity, artistic expression and community engagement through accessible art experiences.
• Donna Boden, founder of The Happy Mixer, a gluten-free bakery and franchise business.

Entrepreneurs were evaluated by a panel of regional business experts representing communications, branding, entrepreneurship, finance, economic development and small business strategy. Judges included Deb Colitas of FocusPoint Communications, Tasemere Gathers of DMFirm LLC, Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker of TLJ Creative Group, Katie Kupstas of ICW Capital and Rachael Wolfe of the Kutztown Small Business Development Center.

"Every entrepreneur who takes the stage represents countless hours of preparation, determination and belief in an idea," said Cindy Evans, director of Lehigh Valley LaunchBox. "LaunchBox Ladies exists to help women entrepreneurs build confidence, expand their networks and access the resources they need to move their businesses forward. It's exciting to watch these founders continue growing long after the competition ends."

The evening also featured networking opportunities, vendor exhibits from current and previous LaunchBox Ladies participants, and a business update from the 2025 grand prize winner.

Author Note:

“Lehigh Valley LaunchBox is part of the Invent Penn State initiative,” said Ryan Abramson, director of strategic communications and campus spokesman.“It represents our regional location of a statewide network of innovation hubs that supports entrepreneurs through education, mentoring, business resources and community partnerships while helping strengthen local economies throughout Pennsylvania.”