Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia
Below is an overview of several programs offered by the Department of Commerce to support small businesses in Philadelphia.
Rep. Jose Giral July 18, 2025 | 10:06 AM
Small Business Funding and Support Opportunities in Philadelphia
Below is an overview of several programs offered by the Department of Commerce to support small businesses in Philadelphia. The Mayor’s Business Action Team within the Department of Commerce offers personalized guidance for any business in Philadelphia who wants to be connected to resources and programs. The Mayor’s Business Action Team can be contacted by emailing business@phila.gov or calling (215) 683-2100. The Mayor’s Business Action Team also provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is a recent $5 million investment designed to accelerate the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the city. Support includes funding and strategic guidance. Grants of up to $50,000 per business are awarded based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact.
- Eligibility:
- Businesses that generated no more than $2 million in revenue in 2024
- Business must be located in Philadelphia and registered and licensed with the City of Philadelphia
- Business must be up to date on City taxes or have an approved tax payment agreement with the City
- Business must be able to accelerate business goals with targeted funding and support
- Must show strong growth potential with a clear expansion plan
- Must show contribution to local economic impact, such as strengthening Philadelphia neighborhoods and creating jobs
- Must show resilience and innovation despite challenges accessing traditional funding
- Grant Amounts:
- The maximum grant amount is $50,000 per eligible business. Your grant amount is determined by your business’s 2024 revenue and growth plan.
- If your 2024 revenue was:
- Less than $50,000, you can be considered for a $10,000 grant
- $50,001-$100,000, you can be considered for a $25,000 grant
- $100,001-$2,000,000, you can be considered for a $50,000 grant
- Funds can be used for most capital and operating expenses but CANNOT be used for routine operating costs, such as rent, payroll, past-due bills, or debt payments, and real estate acquisition
- Application Instructions
- Businesses interested in the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund must fill out an interest form on the City’s website – www.phila.gov/programs/the-catalyst-fund
- Interested businesses who fill out the above form and meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to apply
- Pennsylvania CDFI Network, a partner of the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund, may reach out to applicants to request additional information or documents
- Every applicant will be notified via email on the outcome of their application
- Grantee Information
- Once a business receives funding, they become part of the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund support network
- In addition to accessing a broad array of City resources, the Philadelphia Department of Commerce is partnering with the Pennsylvania CDFI Network that will provide awarded businesses with support through their CDFI partners and/or third-party providers and consultants. Businesses will have access to this support over a period of 3 years after receiving funding.
The City of Philadelphia has also recently invested $47 million into the Jumpstart Initiative to support the City’s small businesses. The Jumpstart initiative was created to assist businesses with a change in the City’s Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT). Beginning the tax year 2025, the Department of Revenue is no longer permitted to offer an exemption of the first $100,000 in gross receipts and a proportionate share of net income from the BIRT. The Jumpstart Initiative is divided into the following two programs:
- Small Business Grants
- These grants will direct capital investments to businesses to purchase commercial real estate, survive emergency situations, open a business on targeted commercial corridors, and grow to their full potential
- Business Education & Capacity
- Services will help over 6,500 businesses through tax preparation and bookkeeping for first-time filers, as well as business education, legal assistance, and additional professional services
To stay informed as more information about the Jumpstart Initiative is released, sign up for the Department of Revenue’s newsletter at phila.gov/revenue.
The Department of Commerce also offers the following programs that small businesses may be interested in and/or qualify for:
- Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program
- Funding small businesses to purchase commercial property or real estate
- Business Coach program
- Providing one-on-one coaching for small businesses
- Business Security Camera Program
- Funding for businesses to get surveillance cameras
- InStore Forgivable Loan Program
- Helps eligible retail and food businesses purchase equipment and make interior improvements
- The Neighborhood Funding Stream Business Assistance Grant
- Supports small businesses serving low- and moderate-income households to open or expand in Philadelphia. The funding will help businesses purchase equipment, make interior storefront improvements, and create new job opportunities on neighborhood commercial corridors.
- Only applicable to commercial corridors in designated Philadelphia neighborhoods
- The Storefront Improvement Program
- Helping business and property owners to improve their storefronts
- Quality Jobs Program
- Invests in eligible businesses that hire Philadelphia residents for new, full-time jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Grant amounts are based on the total number of new quality jobs created for Philadelphia residents:
- First-time applicants can be awarded $7,000 per new job for up to 25 jobs, after meeting certain performance requirements.
- Re-applicants can be awarded $5,000 per new job, up to $125,000 total.
To find out more about any of the above programs, visit the Department of Commerce’s website at phila.gov/commerce, or contact the Department at 215-683-2100. Again, you can also contact the Mayor’s Business Action Team by emailing business@phila.gov.