Shapiro Administration Highlights New Innovate in PA 2.0 Program During Visit to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

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Official release

Shapiro Administration Highlights New Innovate in PA 2.0 Program During Visit to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

October 7, 2026

To invest in Pennsylvania’s innovation economy, Governor Josh Shapiro secured $125 million in the 2026-27 budget — creating the new Innovate in PA 2.0 program to foster promising ideas and help growing companies thrive in the Commonwealth.

Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship helps turn promising ideas into growing businesses, offering startup education and support to historically underserved founders and to Central Pennsylvania companies ready to innovate.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the significant impact the new Innovate in PA 2.0 program will have on Pennsylvania’s innovation economy during a visit to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU).

Governor Josh Shapiro secured $125 million for the new Innovate in PA 2.0 program in the 2026-27 bipartisan budget. The program builds on prior investments in life sciences, robotics, and venture opportunities by closing key gaps between invention, development, and commercialization. And for the first time, Innovate in PA 2.0 introduces programs to expand career pathways, simplify and speed up clinical trials, and increase venture capital opportunities.

“Innovative companies and institutions like the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are key pillars that support Central Pennsylvania’s innovation economy,” said Secretary Siger. “Governor Shapiro secured $125 million for the new Innovate in PA 2.0 program to provide innovators with the tools, resources, and education they need to succeed. Our Commonwealth is home to some of the brightest minds and researchers in the country, and HU is an excellent example of the kind of collaborators we need to foster more growth across Pennsylvania.”

Through its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, HU provides entrepreneurial education and startup support services to women, minority, and economically disadvantaged founders, who have historically had less access to these resources. The center also works with Central Pennsylvania companies looking to innovate.

“Harrisburg University brings science and technology into the world of business and workforce development by helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into companies and giving students hands-on experience in the process,” said Lorelee Isbell, Vice President for External Affairs and Strategic Growth at Harrisburg University. “Innovate in PA 2.0’s new Venture Studio Grant Program aligns with the work of our Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and we look forward to exploring how it could help us expand that work by connecting university expertise, industry partners, and investors to create new businesses, high-quality jobs, and opportunities for Pennsylvania’s workforce.”

HU is an independent, nonprofit university in Harrisburg, offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other STEM fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical application.HU has approximately 6,500 students and 200 full-time faculty.

“If we want to draw innovators to Pennsylvania, we must do more to get them the resources needed to develop groundbreaking ideas,” said Senator Patty Kim. “I’m proud that the new investments through Innovate 2.0 will do just that. By supporting our innovators, we lay the essential groundwork to be a national leader in the 21st century economy and realize the jobs and economic growth that come with it.”

“The Capital Region has always been a hub of ideas, and institutions like Harrisburg University is a great example of how our future depends on homegrown innovation and STEM talent,” said Representative Nate Davidson. “By delivering $125 million for Innovate in PA 2.0 in this year’s budget, Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly made a clear statement: Pennsylvania is ready to lead. This program gives our startups the capital they need to scale, strengthens our clinical and tech networks, and ensures that the next wave of high-paying jobs takes root right here in Central Pennsylvania.”

Accelerating Innovation and Supporting Business Growth

The Innovate in PA 2.0 program includes new initiatives and programs that will foster promising ideas and help growing companies thrive and succeed in the Commonwealth.

The program will support innovation across Pennsylvania by:

Attracting more investment to Pennsylvania companies – the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority will be recapitalized to attract additional private venture capital and increase investment in our businesses.

Competing for more federal and outside funding – the Federal Award Match Grant Program will provide state matching funds to help Pennsylvania companies and organizations compete for high-impact federal, private, and public grants.

Turning more ideas into companies – The Venture Studio Grant Program will support venture studios that strengthen technology transfer and company formation while building innovation ecosystems in communities, including rural and underserved areas.

Innovate in PA 2.0 will provide dedicated support for life sciences by:

Making Pennsylvania a better place for clinical trials – the Clinical Trial & Research Network Grant Program will invest in the Commonwealth’s clinical trial and research infrastructure to help reduce barriers and streamline these efforts.

Building the talent companies need – the Life Sciences Paths Grant Program will invest in talent pathways that address critical workforce gaps and help keep skilled workers in the Commonwealth and giving high-potential biotech and life sciences companies another reason to start, grow, and stay here.

Closing the Commercialization Gap – the Life Sciences Challenge Grant Program will support high-impact, high-potential economic development projects that address critical gaps between invention and commercialization to strengthen Pennsylvania’s life sciences ecosystem.

Supporting Pennsylvania’s Innovation Economy

The Shapiro Administration recognizes that Pennsylvania has always been a national leader in research and innovation. The Commonwealth has been a key supporter of that innovation, encouraging Pennsylvanians’ big ideas and funding many of our nation’s firsts, including the first public-private technology partnerships in 1983 and the first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program under Governor Shapiro in 2023.

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has been laser-focused on supporting Pennsylvania’s innovation ecosystem. Life sciences companies like Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, B. Braun, and GSK have announced major expansions in Pennsylvania under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, bringing new jobs and investments in research and development into the Commonwealth.

The Governor’s 2026-27 budget builds on this momentum by investing in long-term economic growth and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win.

Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

For more information about the Innovate in PA 2.0 program or DCED, visit the agency’s website, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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DCED Funding Innovate in PA 2.0 Secretary Rick Siger

Release text attributed to Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.