Berks LaunchBox , an innovation hub of Penn State Berks, has announced the first five recipients of the “IMAGINE Your Business” grant. Funded by the county’s Imagine Berks Fund, the grant provides up to $2,000 to early-stage entrepreneurs to support various business needs such as prototyping, marketing and product development. LaunchBox officials said the recipients, whose business ideas span diverse industries, have demonstrated exceptional potential and a clear vision for addressing market needs.
Berks LaunchBox provided this list of grant recipients: • CatapalloVR , founded by Kryn McClain, is a software service company that offers virtual platforms to service providers to help neurodiverse youth and young adults learn new skills through video modules. CatapalloVR plans to use the grant to attend a national trade show to promote its virtual reality platform and expand its reach to a broader audience. • Erival LLC offers a luxurious, eco-friendly and skin-respectful bathing experience with artisanal handcrafted soaps that do not contain toxic chemicals.
The products are made using sustainable practices, with a focus on personalized customer experiences and artistic presentation. Founder Erika Valdez plans to use the grant for marketing and creating custom packaging. She also plans to participate in trade fairs.
• KissUX is pioneering an accessible prototyping application to turn the app design process into a scalable, repeatable and consistent experience for sta.