Philadelphia is a city of builders, dreamers, and doers, and its heartbeat is found in the small businesses that line our streets. For entrepreneurs looking to scale, the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund serves as a helpful partner, offering the capital and support needed to turn ambitious visions into lasting community assets.
Designed to help growth-minded small businesses scale operations, increase production or service capacity, and expand to meet growing market demand, the Catalyst Fund provides grants of up to $50,000 along with advisory services per eligible business, based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact. This comprehensive support ensures they have the tools to achieve long-term sustainability.
Last fiscal year alone, the fund invested $7.1 million into 182 businesses, proving that when Philadelphia invests in its entrepreneurs, the entire city reaps the rewards.
The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund is an initiative of the Department of Commerce that fuels collaboration and business growth citywide.
Business owners share their stories
The following stories in this series highlight a few of the many Catalyst Fund awardees using this capital to move their businesses forward. While their industries vary from beauty and automotive repair to environmental education, they share a common thread: a drive to innovate, a commitment to their craft, and a deep investment in the future of Philadelphia.
Raptor Jawns
For Courtney Douds, owner of Raptor Jawns, business growth is measured by connection and education. Her journey began at age 12, driven by a fascination with raptors that became a lifelong calling. By 2020, she had secured the necessary federal, state, and local licenses to turn her backyard passion into a West Philadelphia organization dedicated to environmental education through live birds. As Raptor Jawns expanded, Douds sought support through the Catalyst Fund to reach more schools and community events.
The funding proved pivotal, allowing her to acquire an African falcon and a European owl to broaden her educational programs. Looking ahead, Douds plans to use the resources to expand the organization’s aviary and develop new promotional materials, ensuring that more Philadelphians have the opportunity to engage with the birds. Her work serves as a reminder that with the right support, niche expertise can turn into a vital community resource.
Diamond Beauty Cosmetics & Academy
Danielle McLane, the CEO and executive director of Diamond Beauty Cosmetics & Academy, knows firsthand how a clear vision can transform a neighborhood. After transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship following a personal injury, McLane used her medical recovery time to turn her passion for makeup into a thriving brand, blending inspiration from her mother’s baking background with her own science-focused approach to makeup.
McLane launched Diamond Beauty Cosmetics & Academy initially by blending products in her kitchen and using diamond-shaped packaging to make the products stand out in event swag bags. This unique and proactive marketing approach for brand visibility led her to meet people who influenced her growth. Mentorship from globally renowned industry leaders James Vincent (Fenty Beauty) and Danessa Myricks (CEO of Danessa Myricks Beauty) helped shape her brand before she expanded to a Philadelphia storefront.
Today, McLane uses beauty education as a platform to teach life skills, financial literacy, and career pathways to underserved youth. Her West Poplar shop is more than a cosmetics boutique – it is also the home of the Diamond Beauty Academy, which boasts a 95 percent graduation rate and connects students with local experts to train in various crafts. With the support of the Catalyst Fund, McLane is evolving her business, knocking down walls to transform her space into a specialized laboratory.
“It gave us the opportunity to buy lab equipment and do everything in-house now. The grant was super simple, with a lot of support from the City as well as the [Community Development Financial Institutions] (CDFIs).”
Her long-term goal is to expand into a flagship building in downtown Philadelphia, creating career pathways for residents in many fields, from cosmetology and dance to phlebotomy. As Danielle notes, “We’re creating these career pathways that can economically change the city.”
JB Motor Works
In the Kingsessing neighborhood, JB Motor Works’ co-founder, John Lin, is applying similar tenacity to the automotive industry. Lin and his business partner, Bruce, have spent years building a reputation for excellence in vehicle maintenance. Since launching in 2016, the shop has grown from a two-person team into a nine-staff operation. For Lin, the Catalyst Fund was the next logical step to manage that growth and improve the customer experience.
By utilizing the grant, he has been able to upgrade essential shop equipment and renovate his facility, making the space more professional and welcoming for his customers. “I want to thank the Commerce team because… I was able to use the fund to purchase equipment and renovate the interior for my business,” Lin says. He is now focused on further improvements, including updating the parking lot and the shop’s front gate.
Drawing on lessons from his family’s restaurant background, he remains committed to transparency as a business owner, ensuring every customer feels informed and valued through providing an innovative and upfront digital estimate process that leaves nothing to chance in determining charges for customers’ vehicle repair.
Apply for the Catalyst Fund
To get started, view the grant FAQs for eligibility requirements. Then, apply for the Catalyst Fund today.
If you need assistance with applying, the Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT) provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. Contact MBAT by emailing business@phila.gov or calling 215-683-2100.
