CREN is an organically grown, founder-first ecosystem built by Erdley GTM Advisory in Central Pennsylvania. This is a non-sales environment where high-growth operators gather for collaborative learning, shared vulnerability, and genuine ecosystem scale — from signature destination events to tactical masterclasses that drive real-world execution.
Many entrepreneurial networks devolve into pitch sessions. CREN operates on a fundamentally different principle — founders come to learn about one another, share hard-won lessons, and build deep relationships that compound over years.
Every gathering is strictly non-transactional. The focus stays on learning, vulnerability, and authentic connection between operators.
Founders share real operational challenges, capital strategy lessons, and growth frameworks drawn from lived experience — not theory.
CREN connects Central PA's deep institutional roots — Penn State, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and regional capital — into one cohesive founder community.
Building a company is isolating. CREN creates a space where founders can be honest about what's hard, what's broken, and what they're learning.
Annual large-scale destination events hosting 100+ high-growth founders, investors, and ecosystem builders for experiences designed around deep relationship formation.
Reedsville, PA — A CREN signature destination event that brought together the region's most ambitious entrepreneurs for an unforgettable experience.
Highly targeted, tactical workshops designed for real-world execution. Each session is led by operators who have navigated these challenges firsthand.
Avoiding early dilution and structuring equity for long-term founder control.
Securing foundational institutional investment with conviction and structure.
Strategic AI integration from the perspective of a technical CEO building real products.
Cultivating organizational culture within disaggregated or distributed workforces.
Browse our calendar, reserve your spot, and join Central PA's most driven founders at events designed for authentic learning and connection.
Todd Erdley bootstrapped Videon into a global streaming infrastructure company deployed by Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung, AWS, MLB, and the NHL — then raised a $30M Series A. He led 44 investments into 32 companies at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central PA, deploying $9M in native capital and leveraging over $60M in syndicate matches.
CREN exists because Todd experienced firsthand how isolating the founder journey can be. His deep roots in the Central PA ecosystem — from Penn State's Research Foundation to Invent Penn State and the "$3B33" economic growth initiative — gave him the network and conviction to build something different.
CREN is intentionally simple. No membership tiers, no upsells, no hidden agendas. Founders join, show up, and invest in one another.
Complete the CREN intake form below with your tech sector, company stage, and what you're working through. This helps us curate the right connections and masterclass invitations for your specific situation.
Based on your stage and sector, you'll receive curated invitations to masterclasses and anchor gatherings that align with your current operational challenges — from cap table structuring to AI implementation strategy.
Every CREN event is designed around genuine exchange. No pitch decks, no sales pressure. Founders share what's actually happening in their companies — the wins, the struggles, and the lessons between.
The real value of CREN emerges over months and years. Founders who meet at a Reedsville Takeover end up co-investing, sharing talent, and supporting each other through the hardest inflection points of company building.
Whether you're pre-seed and figuring out product-market fit or scaling past your Series A, CREN connects you with operators who understand the journey. Fill out the form and we'll match you to the right events and masterclasses.
Need professional services like executive coaching or diligence reports? Those are handled separately through our advisory practice.
CREN brings together Central Pennsylvania's most driven founders for authentic learning and lasting relationships. If you're building something meaningful, you belong here.
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