Ben Franklin Technology Partners Statewide Network

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners Central and Northern Pennsylvania Learning Center covers business management topics on digital marketing, finance, HR, investment and more.  

Innovation Works Startup Recipes provide a walkthrough of the critical factors to consider in a specific step of the startup formation process, along with instructions for how to use a DIY tool to accomplish the task.  

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners Northeastern Pennsylvania Incubator Network  offers reduced operating costs and business support for startups in northeastern Pennsylvania. 

Accelerators and Incubators 

Philly Startup Leaders (PSL) is a nonprofit community of entrepreneurs providing events, workshops and accelerator programming for early-stage ventures.  

The Science Center offers a variety of resources for entrepreneurs: product development, go-to-market strategy, talent, funding, connections, workspaces.  

Nextfab Ventures  help entrepreneurs build venture-backable startups around hard-tech products. They provide hands-on technical product development support, seed capital, business coaching, and introductions to contract manufacturers, advisors, and investors. 

Pennovation Works is a distinctive blend of offices, labs, and production space developed by The University of Pennsylvania to link the intellectual and entrepreneurial initiatives necessary for advancing knowledge and business.  

ic@3401 is a vetted community of experts, investors, and resources; designed to help ideas become thriving businesses. They offer coworking, incubation, and acceleration for startups. 

Startup Bucks, a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2019, exists to help innovative companies start, grow, and scale in and beyond Bucks. They do this by supporting founders and connecting the startup ecosystem across the County.   

Penn State Launchbox and Innovation Hub is comprised of 21 LaunchBoxes and innovation hubs embedded within Commonwealth campus communities across the state. Each innovation space provides a wide array of no-cost resources needed by entrepreneurs and innovators.

Bunker Labs Philadelphia supports entrepreneurs from the veteran and military spouse communities, to get them the resources and connections they need to grow their business. 

Business Resources 

PIDC  is a non-profit organization founded by the City of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia in 1958. PIDC’s mission is to spur investment, support business growth, and foster developments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and drive growth to every corner of Philadelphia. PIDC offers Philadelphia businesses capital for growth via their Business Builder Loans.

Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT) is the go-to resource for fast growing companies, and a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Philadelphia region, and a leader in creating access and equity for underrepresented founders.  

Temple Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is an outreach center of the Fox School of Business and the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University that has served Philadelphia and the surrounding communities since 1983. Their highly trained and experienced staff provides start-up and small businesses with professional knowledge and assistance. 

Venture Café Philadelphia, powered by the University City Science Center, located at 3675 Market Street, connects a community of innovators through freely accessible high-impact programming. 

The Enterprise Center promotes racial and economic equity by supporting the growth of diverse small businesses and partnering with West Philadelphia communities on revitalization strategies. As a trusted mediator,  they bring together businesses, communities, partners, and resource providers with the shared goal of equal opportunity and prosperity for all.

The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia supports entrepreneurs, nonprofits, job seekers, and inventors at every stage, helping to improve their skills through individualized guidance in research, public programs, and curated print and digital resources.  

Innovation Partnership (IPart) is a statewide consortium of economic development, business assistance, and higher education organizations that provide early-stage technology companies with free proposal writing assistance, training, and financial assistance. The goal: Help Pennsylvania-based clients secure federal funding opportunities – Specifically, SBIR/STTR.  

Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) consists of industry experts passionate about the manufacturing industry. Their staff has deep experience to develop and implement successful business solutions for clients. They help small and mid-sized manufacturers in the region compete and grow profitably. 

The Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) Tax Credit Program  is an incentive program that provides tax credits to for-profit companies less than eight years old operating within specific targeted industries within the boundaries of a Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ).  

Philadelphia Anchors for Growth and Equity (PAGE) is a partnership between the Economy League, the City of Philadelphia and more than a dozen Philadelphia-area institutions that works to increase local purchasing by large institutional buyers to grow Philadelphia businesses, strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and build wealth.

The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). There are 23 regional councils across the country with more than 1,750 corporate members. The EMSDC certifies and connects minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations.  These corporations are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services and solutions.

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia brings area businesses and civic leaders together to promote growth and create opportunity in our region. They support members with practical, inspiring programs, resources, and events. With one clear, bold goal: to make Greater Philadelphia a great place for good business. 

The African-American Chamber of Commerce  is the leading advocate for minority owned business in the Delaware Valley and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to enhance the growth and effectiveness of African-American owned businesses in the Delaware Valley, and thereby, to improve the economic conditions within the regional African-American community.  

The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  (GPHCC) is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting the advancement and economic growth of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the greater Philadelphia region. The provide educational programs, and a broad range of services and special events.  

The Asian American Chamber of Commerce Greater Philadelphia (AACCGP) promotes and fosters relationships between Asian American and non-Asian communities, providing technical assistance and educational services for the start-up and growth of Asian American businesses. 

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Philadelphia was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. TiE Philadelphia is a chapter focused specifically on the development of the entrepreneur, entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Philadelphia. 

County Resources 

Bucks County  

Chester County  

  • The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, non-governmental entity that supports businesses in four key areas – Financing Solutions, Location Services, Workforce Development, and Innovation Culture.   ​​
  • PA Career Link is the Pennsylvania talent portal for Individuals, Employers and Training Providers. PA CareerLink® Chester County Contact Jason Foster jasfoster@pa.gov 

Delaware County  

  • The Delaware County Commerce Center is a centralized location for all economic development in Delaware County providing resources and programs for small businesses and startups.  
  • PA Career Link is the Pennsylvania talent portal for Individuals, Employers and Training Providers. PA CareerLink® Delaware County  Contact Scott O’Hara, sohara@edsisolutions.com 

Montgomery County  

Philadelphia County