Metro Philadelphia<\/p>\n
Philadelphia business owners now have a new online resource to help them find funding, professional assistance and other services available across the city.<\/p>\n
The city has launched the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub<\/a>, a website that brings together information about business programs, upcoming events and local organizations in one place.<\/p>\n The platform, developed by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce in partnership with EcoMap Technologies, is part of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s PHL Open for Business initiative, which aims to make it easier to start and operate a business in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard from businesses that having one central place to find resources, guidance and support is needed,\u201d Deputy Commerce Director Yvonne Boye said in a statement. \u201cWe listened and followed through by launching the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub.\u201d<\/p>\n Funding, guidance and more for Philly business owners<\/p>\n The new website currently features more than 300 resources, including funding opportunities, legal assistance and mentorship programs.<\/p>\n It also provides information about more than 140 events and 250 local organizations offering programs and services to business owners.<\/p>\n Visitors can access guides explaining how to start a business, connect with local organizations and obtain advising services.<\/p>\n The hub also connects users with the Mayor’s Business Action Team, which provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to help business owners navigate city services and other aspects of operating a business in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are committed to making it easier to do business in Philadelphia,\u201d Parker said in a statement. \u201cIn partnership with our economic development partners across the city, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy while providing access to resources for the businesses and residents that call Philadelphia home.\u201d<\/p>\n The launch follows more than $30 million in investments in Philadelphia businesses since Parker took office in 2024, according to the Department of Commerce.<\/p>\n Those investments include grants awarded to 2,065 businesses through the city’s small business support efforts. The Mayor’s Business Action Team has also provided personalized assistance to more than 19,373 businesses during that time.<\/p>\n Local business leaders to guide expansion<\/p>\n The city has selected 13 advisory board members to help guide the continued development of the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub.<\/p>\n The board includes representatives from neighborhood organizations, business support programs and local businesses.<\/p>\n Among the members are Jennifer Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Katie Hanford, executive director of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District; and Raquel Villanueva Dang, owner of Baby’s Kusina + Market.<\/p>\n Rodriguez said she plans to share the hub with Hispanic business owners and help ensure the platform remains accessible to entrepreneurs throughout Philadelphia.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been working on this project together, and I’m so pleased to see it launched,\u201d Rodriguez said in a statement. \u201cI will share the Hub widely with the Hispanic businesses that we serve and work with the team to keep it relevant and accessible for all businesses across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n The Department of Commerce developed the website with feedback from small business owners and more than 50 business support organizations that participated in quarterly discussions throughout the project.<\/p>\n PIDC, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and JPMorgan Chase were among the supporting partners.<\/p>\n The city plans to continue expanding the platform and is encouraging businesses and organizations to submit additional resources and suggestions through the website.<\/p>\n For more information or to explore available services, visit phillybizhub.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n