Since its inception in 2014, the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network has worked to enhance the business expansion and development in the Erie Area. The Beehive is made up of five grant-funded centers that collaborate to encourage business growth. The centers work together to form the hive network, while location operates in its own specialized area of expertise.

Erie County Public Library, Penn State Behrend, Edinboro University, Gannon University, and Mercyhurst University are each responsible for a specific service. By exercising the individual talents of five local institutions, the Innovation Beehive can offer assistance in all areas of business development. Originally launched by the Ignite Erie Grant at Penn State Behrend, the NWPA Innovation Beehive has expanded to other regional universities. Each center now includes a fully operational location and employs a mix of students, faculty and staff. Over the last ten months, the network has acquired more than three million dollars in funding and matched commitment to support the Beehive’s continued development in the pursuit of enhancing small business growth—an essential component to both increased employment opportunities and economic progress throughout Northwest Pennsylvania.