Business Resources

Financing

PIDC Programs

• Business Loans
  PIDC has an array of financing products available for qualifying businesses and non-profits looking to expand in Philadelphia. To learn more, click here. 
• Project Development Finance
  For developers and others seeking funding to start or finish a project in Philadelphia, PIDC provides a range of adaptable financing solutions. To learn more, click here.
• Tax Advantaged Financing
  PIDC can structure a variety of tax-advantaged financing to fund development projects. To learn more, click here.
• Grants Administration
  PIDC administers several Federal, State, and City grant programs. To learn more about the application and administration process of these grants, click here.
   

State Programs

• Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers a variety of financing, grants and incentives for businesses starting-up or relocating to Pennsylvania. To search through the various programs available, click here.
• Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
  This organization provides access to capital, knowledge and networks that foster innovation, growth and success for both early-stage and established companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania. To learn more, click here.
   

Federal Programs

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
  The federal government offers a number of loans for small businesses through the SBA or private-sector lenders. To learn more, click here.
   

Alternative Programs and Microlending

• Entrepreneur Works
• FINANTA
• Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC)
• The Reinvestment Fund
• Kiva Zip [PDF]
• The Merchants Fund
   

Incentives

• Jump Start Philly
  This City of Philadelphia initiative exempts qualifying new businesses from paying the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) during the first two years of operation. To learn more, click here.
• Job Creation Tax Credits
  These incentives are available at the City level.
• Keystone Innovation Zones (KIZs)
  This initiative from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers salable tax credits to qualifying companies in targeted life science and technology sectors within special geographic districts. A large area of Center City is included within the University City KIZ. To learn more and see a map of the geographic boundaries, click here.
• Workforce Development Grants
  Philadelphia Works invests federal funds to provide on-the-job classroom training for the prospective employees of qualifying companies. To learn more, click here.
   

Resources

• City of Philadelphia Business Services website
• City of Philadelphia Health Department - Opening a Food Business
• Philadelphia Department of Commerce
• PIDC
• Select Greater Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
• Business USA Funding Tool
• Philadelphia Startup Leaders – Philly Tech Guide
• Technical.ly Philly - Philadelphia Startup Community
• Philadelphia Works
• Women’s Business Development Center
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
• Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
• African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ and DE
• Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 

Center City Commercial Office Brokers