Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs):
Temple University Small Business Development Center
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center at Temple University is part of a nationally accredited program that provides educational training, business resources, and experienced no-cost, confidential consulting to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Lower Bucks, Eastern Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The Pennsylvania SBDC has a statewide network of 15 centers and outreach locations to serve small businesses since 1979 and are fully accredited by America’s SBDC.
Widener University Small Business Development Center assists businesses in their goal to start, grow and prosper. Our center provides one-on-one consulting services and delivers educational training programs in English and Spanish to new and existing businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Widener SBDC was the first of 1,100 SBDCs in the country to be designated as a Next-Gen Lab for Design Thinking and Analytics by SAP.
Agencies that offer business lending and training programs:
Entrepreneur Works strengthens Philadelphia communities by investing in local small businesses. We provide essential financial assistance, including grants and loans, to empower underserved entrepreneurs facing barriers to capital. Our mission goes beyond transactions – thriving small businesses catalyze positive change, energizing entire neighborhoods. Join us in creating a cycle of success, where targeted financial support and business resources drive community development and economic vitality.
Women’s Opportunities Resource Center
The mission of the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) is to promote social and economic self-sufficiency primarily for economically disadvantaged women and their families. WORC provides training, individual business assistance, incentive savings program, job placement, and access to buisness and financial resources. WORC empowers its constituents through various self-help strategies including savings, a self-employment network, and access to its local and national affiliations. Additionally, WORC encourages community awareness and responsiveness concerning issues impacting economic equity and independence.
Other small business assistance agencies include:
Business Resource Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia
The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia supports entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and inventors at every stage, helping to improve their skills through individualized guidance in research, public programs, and curated print and digital resources. We create multiple entry points for those with ideas, plans, skills, and passions, enabling people to make fact-based decisions in order to fulfill their goals.
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.
Legal
Philadelphia VIP leverages the powerful resources of the community to provide quality volunteer legal services and ensure access to justice for low-income Philadelphians.
Other low interest loan opportunities
Honeycomb Credit unlocks growth opportunities for small businesses to build vibrant, financially empowered communities.
How it works: Local businesses run investment offerings on our platform, get hands-on campaign support from our expert team, and share their success with fans and interested investors - boosting their name and getting them the funding they need to grow.