Launched in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bucknell University's StartUp Danville incubator quietly began supporting entrepreneurs amid unprecedented challenges. Now, five years later, the incubator — part of Bucknell's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) — is celebrating a milestone anniversary and the regional recognition of one of its first clients.

MYNDDSET, a creative growth agency based in Danville, has been named the 2025 Eastern Pennsylvania Entrepreneurial Success of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. The award will be presented Thursday, May 8, during a National Small Business Week ceremony starting at 10:15 a.m. at the Campus Theatre, 413 Market Street, Lewisburg. 

Burke speaks with another early StartUp Danville client, fashion designer Ayana Ife, on a podcast he produces through MYNDDSET. Photo by Steve Stumbris, Bucknell SBDC

To say StartUp Danville had a rocky launch would be an understatement. The incubator opened its doors in the DRIVE Building at 418 Railroad Street in 2020, only to postpone its grand opening twice due to rising COVID-19 cases. Despite that, the space became a vital hub for entrepreneurs seeking flexible workspaces and expert guidance.

"Opening during the pandemic shaped how we served the community," says Amber Amato de Guerrero, Bucknell SBDC business consultant and program manager. "People were looking for safe, professional environments to build their businesses. We were ready and able to support them."

That support helped entrepreneurs like Mark Burke, founder of MYNDDSET. Burke launched the business at StartUp Lewisburg in 2009 and became an early tenant at StartUp Danville. Originally focused on in-person educational events, MYNDDSET was significantly impacted by the pandemic.

With consulting help from the Bucknell SBDC and services, including workspace, from StartUp Danville, Burke transformed the company into a full-service agency offering live and virtual event production, strategic training, and podcast services for nonprofit, corporate and government clients.

"The consulting we received from Bucknell SBDC helped us pivot at a critical moment," says Burke. "We emerged from the pandemic stronger, with new services and a wider reach."

Burke's journey exemplifies the impact of Bucknell's StartUp incubator network, which now includes sites in Lewisburg, Danville, and Milton. Since the program’s launch in 2011, it has supported 62 external entrepreneurs, helped start 34 businesses, and contributed to 423 jobs — including 233 new jobs created and 190 saved. The network has also generated $22 million in capital formation and $11.4 million in increased domestic sales.

"This isn't just about workspace," says Denny Hummer, assistant director of the Bucknell SBDC, where he initially oversaw the incubators. "We're providing entrepreneurs with a support system — consulting, student partnerships and access to a community that understands their needs."

Amato de Guerrero says the incubator's fifth anniversary and MYNDDSET's recognition are deeply intertwined. "We celebrated our official grand opening on National SBDC Day this March [19]," she says. "It was a great opportunity to look back at how far we've come and celebrate the businesses that have grown with us."

In addition to leading MYNDDSET, Burke remains committed to community engagement. He brought the Kauffman Foundation's One Million Cups networking initiative to the region and continues to mentor emerging entrepreneurs across the Susquehanna Valley.

"Mark's story is one of resilience, innovation and service," says Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Director. "He's a model of what can happen when small businesses have access to the right support."

Thursday's award ceremony will feature remarks from Dixel, SBA Deputy District Director Michael Kane, Burke, and Bucknell SBDC leaders. Attendees will learn more about MYNDDSET's journey, the SBDC's incubator network, and the economic impact of entrepreneurial partnerships.

As StartUp Danville moves forward, the Bucknell SBDC and its incubators continue to invest in entrepreneur-led economic development in central Pennsylvania communities closest to Bucknell's Lewisburg home.