Budding business owners shine during Global Entrepreneurship Week

Robert Zigmund

Penn State Abington sophomore Robert Zigmund expanded his business, Bird's Eye Drone Productions, with assistance from the college's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Credit: Regina Broscius

ABINGTON, Pa. — Penn State Abington showcased its thriving small-business ecosystem during Global Entrepreneurship Week with presentations by students in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI) minor livestreamed throughout the University.

Sophomore Robert Zigmund described the evolution of his business, Bird’s Eye Drone Productions, with support from Abington. As a freshman enrolled in ENTI courses, he won the college’s inaugural LaunchBox business plan competition. He used the $2,000 in prize money for marketing and a second drone. 

“This would not be possible without the ENTI minor and the LaunchBox competition,” the political science major told the audience. “Penn State Abington has given me opportunities to create and grow my business.” 

Three teams of students enrolled in the entrepreneurial leadership course (ENGR310/MGMT397) presented Phase II of their new products to five members of the ENTI advisory board. Phase I consisted of a “Shark Tank”-style business competition featuring input from eight students from Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

"The teams have incorporated the European/German perspective into their presentations on how to make their products more universal," said Dan Goldberg, the lecturer in business who teaches the core ENTI courses. "Hopefully, these products have already passed the first level so they could sell successfully outside of the United States."

About Penn State Abington

Penn State Abington, formerly the Ogontz campus, offers baccalaureate degrees in 19 majors at its suburban location just north of Philadelphia. Nearly half of its 4,000 students complete all four years at Abington, with opportunities in undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics, and more. Students can start the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors at Abington and complete their degrees at University Park or another campus. 

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