The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund launched with an initial $5 million investment. Its duration and potential for expansion will depend on demand, impact, and future funding opportunities as part of our ongoing commitment to economic growth across the city.

You are welcome to re-apply for a grant as long as the Catalyst Fund is still open:

• If you did not receive a grant the first time you applied, you need to wait 12 months before you can apply again for our review.
• If you did receive a grant, you need to wait five years before you can apply again.

We’ll complete a thorough review and analysis of each application.

Our review process will assess:

• The clarity and strength of your growth plan.
• The expected long-term impact on Philadelphia’s economy if your business is successful
• How well your business aligns with our strategic goals.

A team of internal and external partners will evaluate each application using computer-based algorithmic and human review to select the businesses that best meet these criteria.

Due to the high volume of applications, we will not provide personalized feedback at this time stating why the applicant was not selected in this round of funding.

No. The Catalyst Fund does not have a minimum credit score requirement. We want to support entrepreneurs who may have trouble accessing credit.

The following groups are not eligible for funding:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• Churches and other religious institutions.
• Businesses that primarily engage in political or lobbying activities.
• Businesses that engage in any activity that is illegal under Federal, state, or local law.
• Businesses that are in active tax default and not on an approved payment plan.
• Financial institutions that primarily engage in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factors.
• Passive real estate companies and investors who file a Schedule E (Form 1040) for their personal tax returns.
• Real estate businesses that receive the majority (>51%) of their income from rentals.
• Life insurance companies.
• Private clubs and businesses that limit the number of memberships they give out for reasons other than building capacity.

The Catalyst Fund uses the data provided from each applicant’s proposal to evaluate risk regarding prior conviction for fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes. Businesses are also ineligible to apply if:

• Any owner is currently delinquent or, within the last seven years, has defaulted on a direct or guaranteed loan from the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, or a Federal agency.
• Any owner controlling 20% or more of the business’s equity:
  • Is currently incarcerated, on probation, or on parole.
  • Is currently subject to an indictment, arraignment, or other formal criminal charges in any jurisdiction.
  • Has been convicted of any felony within the last year.
  • Has been convicted of a felony involving fraud, bribery, embezzlement, or a false statement in an application for a loan or federal financial assistance within the last five years.
• An owner is engaged in any illegal, socially undesirable, or predatory activities, including but not limited to:
  • pawnshops
  • rent-to-own
  • check-cashing businesses, and
  • adult bookstores.

Every business can be connected to our additional set of resources and programs. Contact the Mayor’s Business Action Team within the Department of Commerce by emailing business@phila.gov or calling (215) 683-2100 for personalized guidance.

No. You are eligible if you have a physical business location in Philadelphia.

Yes. You are eligible if you have a physical business location in Philadelphia, as demonstrated by a business address. If you use a P.O. Box and virtual address for your business, you must provide your home address in the application.

Yes. You are eligible if you have a physical business location in Philadelphia, as demonstrated by a business address. If you use a P.O. Box and virtual address for your business, you must provide your home address in the application.

Yes. You are eligible if you have a physical business location in Philadelphia, as demonstrated by a business address. If you use a P.O. Box and virtual address for your business, you must provide your home address in the application.

Yes, you can apply to the Catalyst Fund.

This grant is designed to support most capital and operating expenses that directly contribute to long-term business growth.

Capital expenses may include:

• Purchasing or upgrading tools, machinery, or technology.
• Upgrading physical locations to increase production capacity.

Eligible operating expenses must be clearly aligned with your business growth strategy. These should be productive investments that lead to measurable business outcomes. That can include:

• Advertising to increase visibility.
• Purchasing inventory to support expansion.

You cannot use this funding for expenses including, but not limited to:

• Routine operating costs, such as rent, payroll, past-due bills, or debt payments.
• Real estate acquisition.

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.

Once your business receives funding, you 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. You will have access to this support over a period of 3 years after receiving funding.

We will evaluate the Fund’s success using indicators like:

• Revenue growth.
• Job creation.
• Business expansion.
• Overall economic impact.

We will track these metrics over time and use the data to refine and improve the program. This will help us ensure that it remains effective and responsive to the evolving needs of Philadelphia’s small business community.

The City of Philadelphia is committed to inclusive economic growth by offering financial support programs, business services, and funding community-based organizations to provide advisory services to entrepreneurs across the city.

Our Mayor’s Business Action Team also provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. Contact the Department of Commerce by calling (215) 683-2100 or emailing business@phila.gov.