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 and fuels the growth of small businesses, 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

To illustrate the impact of the program, the Department of Commerce is highlighting Catalyst Fund recipients from across the city. One of them is A Secure Future Academy, a childcare center in University City owned by Dr. Kashmiera Harris. Read her story of growth, community impact, and the factors that make her business successful in the competitive childcare field.

Long before she became the executive director and owner of A Secure Future Academy, Dr. Harris envisioned running a childcare center. The opportunity arrived unexpectedly from a previous owner.

“This was not a childcare center that I had developed from scratch,” Dr. Harris said. At the time, Dr. Harris was working as an independent insurance agent when a client informed her that a neighborhood childcare center had closed after its owner became seriously ill. What began as an effort to help soon evolved into a new career path. “It went from me being interested in helping out to [thinking] I really like this, and it had always been a dream of mine,” she shared. “I just didn’t know how I was going to achieve it.”

While A Secure Future Academy was established in 2014, Dr. Harris officially took over leadership in 2019. Today, the center serves children ages six weeks to 13 years old through childcare, educational programming, summer camps, and virtual learning opportunities.

Using the Catalyst Fund to scale and grow

As demand for services increased, Dr. Harris began preparing to open a second location. Through local networking events, she learned about the Catalyst Fund after hearing a presentation from the Department of Commerce. “I was like, I’m going to get it,” she recalled.

The funding arrived at a critical time. While Dr. Harris had secured support for opening the new site, additional resources were needed to prepare the space for children and families. “I needed funds to furnish the new space,” she said. “I wanted to be prepared for an environment for our kids to enjoy when we actually open up the second location.”

The Catalyst Fund is helping furnish the new facility, supporting the academy’s next phase of growth. Dr. Harris currently manages a team of seven employees and plans to add approximately 15 more positions as the new location opens.

Investing in Philadelphia’s future

For Dr. Harris, doing business in Philadelphia is closely tied to her commitment to the city where she grew up. “When you are born and raised in an environment, and you benefit from that environment, I believe in giving back,” she said. That commitment is reflected in her vision for the new center.

Dr. Harris plans to feature local and national role models throughout the facility, accompanied by a message designed to inspire young learners, which will read: “These are the brilliant minds that you do know, but at A Secure Future Academy, these will be the brilliant minds you will know!” The message refers to the children she serves. “To know that I am a part of shaping the future, it gives me so much pride and so much joy to give back [to] those who have given to me,” she shared.

Strengthening impact through partnerships

A Secure Future Academy has also developed partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations across Philadelphia. These collaborations provide support for kindergarten readiness, social-emotional learning, occupational therapy experiences, language studies, internships, and family services.

Among the organizations Dr. Harris highlighted are Drexel University, Sesame Street in Communities, Smith Memorial Playground, Parkway West High School, Saint Joseph’s University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Families Forward. “We are big on community partnerships,” she said.

Beyond those partnerships, Dr. Harris said the academy focuses on hiring locally and finding ways to give back to families. Grant funding supports operational needs such as furniture and curriculum resources, while the center also hosts annual appreciation events for the families it serves.

Advice for business owners

Looking back on her experience, Dr. Harris encourages other entrepreneurs to explore opportunities like the Catalyst Fund while ensuring they are prepared for the application process. “Absolutely,” she said when asked if she would recommend the program to other business owners. “I would say, get your house in order. Get your business in order, so that you can really receive the fruits of what the City wants to offer.” Her advice reflects the same approach that helped her expand A Secure Future Academy: preparing for growth, building strong community connections, and being ready when opportunity arrives.

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.