In Focus: Some resources like schemes, initiatives & grants for women entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania
#WomenInBusiness #PAEntrepreneurs #FemaleFounders #WomenEmpowerment
The entrepreneurial landscape for women in Pennsylvania, often known as “The Keystone State,” is evolving rapidly. With a significant rise in women-led ventures, the state is embracing a culture of innovation, inclusivity & empowerment. Resources for women entrepreneurs have multiplied, providing vital support for business development. From mentorship opportunities to specialized incubators, Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurial network is more inclusive than ever – helping women turn their visions into thriving businesses.
The startup landscape in Pennsylvania is experiencing a significant influx of women-led ventures; and women here are making their mark in diverse industries – from tech startups to creative service providers – thanks to a wide range of programs designed to foster their growth. However, challenges remain, particularly in accessing capital.
Funding opportunities for women-led ventures continue to be less readily available than for their male counterparts. This gap is being addressed through initiatives focused on financial literacy, connecting women with investors, and increasing awareness of available funding options.
Empowering Success in 2024
With Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to supporting innovation and technology, 2024 promises to be a dynamic year for women entrepreneurs. As they harness emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, women leaders in Pennsylvania are set to drive transformation across industries.
Here are some resources for women entrepreneurs like – schemes, initiatives and grants.
> Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop
The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is the first stop for many people seeking information about how to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into a new business. The experts at Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop provide services like – customized assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses and offer access to a vast toolbox of services and resources, including those focused on small diverse businesses.
> Women Business Certification & Procurement Opportunities
Certification as a diverse business enables women-owned businesses to access procurement opportunities in Pennsylvania through the PA Department of General Services’ Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities (BDISO).
https://dced.pa.gov/paproudblog/6-resources-pa-women-owned-businesses-2024/
Pennsylvania Government Agencies
> Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop
The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is a state office that is equipped with – knowledge, information, and resources for businesses both large and small. Serving as the first point of contact for Pennsylvania business development concerns, its team helps connect and guide businesses through all stages of development ie from planning and startup to operating & expanding. So, if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or existing business, they provide complete, customer-focused service backed by firsthand knowledge and experience.
The Pennsylvania Business One-stop Shop helps you plan and start your business; register your business to make it official; operate your business with the required taxes, reporting and licenses; grow your business by accessing resources to help your business thrive; and take advantage of the benefits of being a Pennsylvania business.
> Pennsylvania Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers numerous resources for women-owned businesses – from programs geared toward supporting disadvantaged businesses to local assistance offered at partnering women’s business centers in western, south central & southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania SBA is supported by main district offices in King of Prussia and Pittsburgh, as well as additional locations in Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre. They provide services including – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
The King of Prussia office serves Bucks, Berks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and York counties.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/pennsylvania-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Pennsylvania Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Women’s Business Enterprise Center (WBEC-East)
The Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC-East) is an advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania (from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, as well as Delaware and Southern New Jersey). They provide the most relied-upon certification standard for women-owned businesses, as well as entrepreneurial training & education – to help them succeed.
As a regional partner organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), WBEC-East facilitates WBENC Certification, which validates that a business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated & managed by a woman or women.
This certification standard is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and government entities.
WBEC-East also provides – educational, networking, procurement-related, and informational programs and services that foster growth and business opportunities between certified women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and purchasing entities, including major corporations and government agencies.
> Women’s Business Network
Women’s Business Network (WBN) provides access to experts in a wide variety of business fields including – legal, financial, business services, retail, insurance, real estate, and more.
With a reach that spans six counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, WBN has more than 20 chapters. Each WBN member has access to every other member in all chapters.
WBN is proud to support the growth of women business owners and professionals through its network of chapters and variety of business expertise.
> Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC)
The Women’s Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) promotes social & economic self-sufficiency primarily for economically disadvantaged women and their families. WORC provides a number of facilities like – training, individual business assistance, incentive savings program, job placement, and access to business & financial resources.
The Women’s Opportunity Resource Center & its subsidiary, the Economic Opportunities Fund (EOF) – is a certified Community Development Funding Institution (CDFI) that provides low-income and under-served Philadelphians with access to capital and financial services. WORC empowers clients to develop personal economic development strategies and to grow their small businesses – by providing the capital, business development assistance, specialized workshops, seminars, and one-on-one consultations with industry experts entrepreneurs needed for economic success.
> Pennsylvania Women Work
Pennsylvania Women Work is a non-profit workforce development organization that is – dedicated to helping individuals find financial stability. It empowers women – by helping them gain long-term career stability and financial independence, advance in their careers, and achieve self-sufficiency through life-changing career development programs & mentorship.
Free programs are designed – to serve a wide range of clients including women reentering the workforce, single mothers, refugees, immigrants, and more. PA Women Work offers events and workshops that provide useful information and support to help clients fulfill their personal and professional goals.
> National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Pennsylvania)
NAWBO Greater Philadelphia propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide by:
Strengthening their wealth creating capacity and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
Creating innovative and effective change in the business culture
Building strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
Transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers
NAWBO seeks full participation by all business owners who support the organization’s mission to empower women entrepreneurs, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.
> Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
The Pennsylvania SBDC network is the only statewide, nationally-accredited program that provides high-quality one-on-one consulting, training & information resources to empower new and existing businesses – including resources specifically for women-owned businesses. The SBDC also partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), DCED, and 15 universities and colleges across the state to provide budding entrepreneurs and small business owners the tools they need to thrive.
Pennsylvania SBDC provides service like – educational programs and no-cost, confidential consulting services and training for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-on-one sessions – to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and more.
> SCORE Pennsylvania
SCORE Pennsylvania includes a group of experienced business volunteers, who guide entrepreneurs who are looking to start a small business or assist existing small business owners in improving their profitability.
Volunteers are experts with experience in areas such as – accounting, finance, human resources, consulting, import/export, law, operations, production, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, sales, marketing, management, business plan preparation, strategic planning, and many other business disciplines.
The organization provides: Volunteer business experts who share their expertise across many industries; Free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email or by video; Free business tools, templates, and tips & Inexpensive or free business workshops and webinars.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/pennsylvania-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – Funding Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:
Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.
Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.
Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.
Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.
Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
> Women’s Opportunities Resource Center – WORC – Economic Opportunities Fund
Women’s Opportunities Resource Center offers – loans, investment products, and services to low-income and underserved populations in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area looking to start or expand their businesses, with a special focus on women and minorities.
There are a number of WORC products which include:
Credit Builder Loans up to $2,500
Direct Loan $1,000 to $2,500
Small Business Loans up to $10,000
Credit Line up to $20,000
Expansion Loans up to $50,000
Real Estate Loans for Business Property up to $250,000
Plus, assistance is also available for developing a business plan, financial projections, market access, graphic design, and professional services like legal, accounting, and more.
> Pennsylvania State Small Business Credit Initiative (PA- SSBCI)
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) oversees the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) in Pennsylvania.
PA-SSBCI includes three programs to support private financing for small businesses. Loans for small businesses are available through SSBCI Program Administrators.
Equity investments in existing and emerging technology companies provide seed and later-stage capital.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/pennsylvania-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
> Pennsylvania Women Work
Pennsylvania Women Work is a non-profit workforce development organization that is dedicated to helping individuals find financial stability.
They empower women to advance in their careers and achieve self-sufficiency through – life-changing career development programs & mentorship.
Their vision is: A future in which: All people are empowered to succeed in the workforce, earn equitable compensation and attain economic security.
The mission of Pennsylvania Women Work is – to empower women to advance in their careers and achieve self-sufficiency through life-changing career development programs and mentorship.
> Amber Grants
WomensNet offers business grants to women in Pennsylvania (as well as all across the United States) – which is called – Amber Grants for Women. It is awarded by their judges every month.
The monthly grant is $10,000, and they actually give away three every month. You can apply for the Amber Grant right now, and if you win one of the monthly grants, you become eligible for their year-end Amber Grant of $25,000. So, if you are lucky, you could land up with $35,000 in grant money!!
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-pennsylvania/
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
