The Keystone Innovation Collaborative connects Franklin & Marshall College students and founders to Pennsylvania's statewide network of entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners.

Franklin & Marshall College has announced a formal partnership with the Keystone Innovation Collaborative (KIC), a statewide nonprofit that connects Pennsylvania's universities, founders, investors, and corporations. The partnership gives F&M student innovators and founders a direct path to resources, investors, corporate partners, and peers across the Commonwealth, while giving KIC's statewide network earlier visibility into the startups taking shape on campus.

“Joining KIC extends that support beyond campus, giving student founders a route to additional resources, partners and investors across Pennsylvania,” said Joaquin Villarreal, director of the Venture and Impact Studio at F&M.

In the first year of partnership, KIC and F&M will draw on a tailored mix of benefits:

• Venture capital, explained. A guest talk for an entrepreneurship class, founder group, or student organization on how venture capital works.
• A statewide event on campus. The opportunity to host a Keystone Merge, KIC's rotating monthly entrepreneur convening series, or a similar startup community event.
• A front door for student founders. KIC signage and QR-code access in campus entrepreneurial spaces, connecting students to programs across Pennsylvania.
• Pitch feedback and judging. Outside expertise provided for student founders via a KIC judge participating in on-campus pitch reviews or prize competitions.
• Recognized partner status. Official KIC University Partner recognition, with co-branding and visibility across the statewide network.

F&M students are already experiencing the benefits of the partnership, including a recent Keystone Merge event held on campus. The networking evening allowed F&M students to pitch ideas to a room full of Pennsylvania-based entrepreneurs and investors and receive feedback. Students from area colleges and high schools also participated.

KIC university partners include F&M, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Messiah University, Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Shippensburg University.

KIC's University Partner model is designed to turn campus innovation into investment. KIC's statewide platform aggregates deal flow from partner campuses so that university-affiliated founders gain broader visibility and faster access to capital.

About Keystone Innovation Collaborative

Keystone Innovation Collaborative (KIC) is a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in York, Pa., that connects founders, universities, investors, and corporate partners through a coordinated statewide network. Its mission is to ensure that ideas and capital flow freely across the Commonwealth. Learn more at keystoneinnovate.com.