Innovate! Celebrate! 2026: From 'What If?' to What's Real
The annual Innovate! Celebrate! event was less a ceremony than a demonstration. On the evening of April 28, Lehigh University's Office of Entrepreneurship filled the room with confetti, applause, and something harder to manufacture: proof. Proof that curiosity, when given the right ecosystem, becomes something real.
Lehigh Launches Venture Studio, Turning Research Discoveries Into Real-World Businesses
A new initiative expands the Venture Creation pathway connecting research, entrepreneurship and experiential learning to turn university innovations into scalable startups.
A Recipe for Entrepreneurship Success: Meet Lehigh’s New “Kitchen Cabinet” of Advisors
Nine pioneering entrepreneurs and innovators have joined forces with Lehigh University to help cultivate the future of entrepreneurship. This newly formed "Entrepreneurship Kitchen Cabinet" — an ad-hoc advisory group — comprises accomplished alumni and parents who will collaborate with the Office of Entrepreneurship, guiding students and faculty in transforming breakthrough ideas into tangible ventures.
The Cabinet boasts a diverse roster of leaders in venture capital, technology innovation, and company building, ranging from Tesla co-founder Marc Tarpenning to rising star Julia Pardee ’21. Members include Frank Balcavage ’01, Kevin Drucker ’93, Tom Duerig ’74, Sandy Stelling ’91, Luke Traina ’'24, Jim Wassil ’'99, and Mark Strauch '92. Working alongside President Joseph Helble ’82 and Lisa Getzler, Vice Provost of Entrepreneurship, the Cabinet will tackle special projects.
Lehigh Venture Studio
Lehigh University’s Venture Studio bridges the gap between research and the real world by commercializing Lehigh-owned IP into scalable, investment-ready startup packages.
