MEET THE MERCHANTS FUND
Capital Ideas Even sole proprietors don’t need to go it alone
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wning and running your own business can be a great joy, but it also presents its share of challenges. Fortunately for local residents, there is a wealth of free and low-cost resources available to small businesses in the City of Philadelphia. Here are a few key websites to get your start-up started or keep your existing business thriving.
Enterprise Center
Provides access to capital, building capacity, business education and economic development opportunities to high-potential, minority entrepreneurs. The Enterprise Center seeks to better position minority enterprises to compete in the local, regional and global economies. theenterprisecenter.com
The Commerce Department of the City of Philadelphia
Sets and leads policies that help both small businesses and major corporations in Philadelphia thrive, including supporting programs that revitalize and strengthen neighborhood commercial areas and helping to back businesses and entrepreneurs starting a business in the city. phila.gov/commerce
Entrepreneur Works
Provides business development resources for small businesses, and focuses on growing businesses and jobs in our local communities. Their goal is to promote successful entrepreneurs in underserved areas of the Greater Philadelphia region who then become economic engines in their own neighborhoods. entrepreneurworks.org
Philadelphia Industrial Welcoming Center for Development Corporation (PIDC) New Pennsylvanians Founded by the City of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to promote economic development throughout the city. PIDC manages a diverse loan portfolio to attract investment, and create and retain jobs in the City of Philadelphia. pidc-pa.org
The Temple Small Business Development Center
Provides resources for immigrant-owned businesses. The Welcoming Center revitalizes struggling neighborhoods by helping small business owners on key commercial corridors. welcomingcenter.org
Wharton Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
Provides free and low-cost services for small businesses and entrepreneurs supported by the Fox Business School at Temple University.
One of 18 small business development centers in Pennsylvania. The WSBDC provides free consulting services to entrepreneurs, as well as educational workshops for a nominal fee.
sbm.temple.edu/sbdc
whartonsbdc.wharton.upenn.edu
United States Small Business Development Center
Created as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, and to preserve free competitive enterprise. sba.gov
Women’s Opportunity Resource Center (WORC)
Provides training, individual business assistance, job placement, and access to business and financial resources for economically disadvantaged women and their families. worc-pa.com
Sustainable Business Network
Membership organization connects you to resources to build a just, green and thriving economy in the Philadelphia region. sbnphiladelphia.org
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