Become a Participant
Join us as a member participant to fast-track your digital transformation journey and support the growth of regional manufacturing businesses and the current and future workforce.
Membership benefits include:
- Tier options and a range of services tailored to your needs
- Access to strategic and technical assessments to identify areas for improvement
- The opportunity to propose and direct technical projects according to your priorities
- Use of our event and meeting spaces
- Free or discounted fees for training and events to enhance your skills and knowledge
- Exposure to Penn State University students and research institutes for collaboration and innovation
- Access to exclusive member-only reports, databases, and advisory discussions.
We're here to empower you with the resources and opportunities you need for a successful digital transformation.
Service / Amenity |
Nano |
Micro |
Mega |
Giga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Eligible: Annual revenue up to $250M |
||||
|
Event space/Classroom Use* |
1 Reservation per year, 2-hour min. rental |
1 Reservation per year, 2-hour min. rental |
2 Reservations per year, 2-hour min. rental |
2 Reservations per year, 2-hour min. rental |
|
Access to participant community & B2B networking events |
2 Admissions |
4 Admissions |
5 Admissions |
8 Admissions |
|
Conferences, Technology Showcase days & Industry Days (~4x/year) |
2 Admissions |
4 Admissions |
5 Admissions |
8 Admissions |
|
Technology assessment/ consultation at your location and project proposal |
6 Hours |
12 Hours |
20 Hours |
40 Hours |
|
Representation in bi-annual reviews with project selection votes for collaborative projects |
1 Vote annually |
2 Votes annually |
3 Votes annually |
4 Votes annually |
|
Participation in collaborative technology assistance and demonstration projects with access to technologies, student interns and faculty/staff, technical output and result IP rights as outlined in agreement** |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Opportunity to propose directed projects specific to particpant's needs and interests*** |
1 Propsal annually |
1 Proposal annually |
2 Proposals annually |
2 Proposals annually |
|
Discounted Training and Workforce development programming (In-depth, subject matter experts, Penn State and Industry certifications) |
10% Discount, up to 2 people annually |
10% Discount, up to 3 people annually |
20% Discount, up to 3 people annually |
20% Discount, up to 5 people annually |
|
Access to participant's website & database of problems/solutions (Problem statements, project outcomes, solutions reports) |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Access to career fairs and recruiting events (with prime placement) |
Event rate TBD |
Event rate TBD |
Event rate TBD |
Event rate TBD |
|
Access to student engagement events and intern programs |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Branding/logo/business profile in DFNK documents, electronic boards, website and accessible in participant directories |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Exposure to PSU Research Institutes and broader faculty research |
- |
- |
Included |
Included |
|
Discounts on Penn State New Kensington Corner Launchbox entrepreneurial and small business programs, business services and events, and co-working and meeting space |
20% Discount |
20% Discount |
20% Discount |
20% Discount |
*Rates to be reviewed and approved annually according to Penn State Cost Analysis policy FN27
**Dependant on cost share required for project scope and subject to project agreement.
***Dependant on cost share required for project scope and subject to project agreement and DFNK acceptance based on scope and resourcing.
