| Information & Resources for Small Business |
Pennsylvania Business Resource Network
PA SourceNet connects Pennsylvania suppliers and service providers with buyers nationally and internationally. Companies can access pre-qualified potential partners from all over the world. It also highlights Pennsylvania businesses that qualify for veteran-owned status. |
SBA Business Gateway
Guides you through the maze of government rules and regulations and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business. |
SBA Business Counseling & Training
A series of publications by the U.S. Small Business Administration designed to help entrpreneurs plan, start, and grow their businesses. |
USA.gov
The U.S. government's official web portal, making it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. |
SCORE
SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a source of free, confidential small business advice and training. Active and retired business owners, executives, and corporate leaders offer their expertise through online email advice, face-to-face consulting, low-cost workshops, and how-to articles and templates. |
| Starting & Growing a Business |
PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
DCED offers business assistance to help organizations fund their projects or start a business, find a location, expand their business, or stay in Pennsylvania. Especially useful is the Entrepreneur's Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania  . |
Pennsylvania Open for Business
One stop access where entrepreneurs can explore financial options, download many of the important forms necessary to start and expand a business, and electronically register a business with the Pennsylvania Departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, and State. |
Starting a Business in Pennsylvania: A Beginner's Guide
A practical guide from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue with basic new business information, including business structure, tax responsbilities, record keeping, and more. |
A Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania
This detailed publication from the Pennsylvania Department of State takes business owners through filing guidelines for fictious names, Profit and Nonprofit Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, etc. |
Register Your Business with the Commonwealth
Register your business with the Pennsylvania Departments of Revenue, Labor & Industry, and State using this one-stop online registration. |
PA Business Taxes
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's business tax page to learn more about your tax responsbilities and download forms. |
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA is the entrepreneur's link to federal resources, tools, and programs which can help you start, establish, and grow your business. |
| SBA Office of Entrepreneurial Development |
SBA Direct
Information and services based on your unique business needs. |
Employer ID Number (EIN)
Find out if your business needs a Federal Tax Identification Number and apply online through the IRS. |
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Did you know that SBDC clients experience growth five times greater than the national average? SBDCs offer one-stop assistance to new and existing small businesses by providing a wide variety of business information, guidance, training, counseling, and workshops throughout the state and the country. The program is a cooperative effort of the private sector; the educational community; and federal, state and local governments. Click here to download a printable list of Pennsylvania SBDCs. |
SmallBizU
SmallBizU is an online "university" designed especially form small business owners. Whether is creating a business plan, finding the money to start a business, marketing on a small budget, or managing employees, SmallBizU offers free, straight-forward, self-paced courses that entrepreneurs can use to meet their business needs. |
| Financial & Other Assistance |
| Although the Bureau of Minority & Women Business Opportunities does not provide financial assistance, the links below can help you find those organizations that offer the funding you need. |
PA Department of Community & Economic Development
Use the Funding & Program Finder tool to sort through grants, loans, and initiatives offered through DCED. |
| Benefits Search |
| Grants Search |
| Loans Search |
| SBA Financing Programs & How-To |
SBA Government Contracting
Learn more about becoming a government contractor. |
U.S. General Services Administration
Working with the GSA. |
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
Pennsylvania PTACs help business market and sell their goods and services to federal, state, and local agencies. Local PTACs provide free counseling - often onsite - guiding business owners through the governement procurement process and providing information on how to become more competitive in government contracting. Click here to download a printable list of Pennsylvania PTACs. |
| Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses |
| PA Department of Military & Veterans Affairs |
| Center for Veterans Enterprise |
| SBA Veterans Business Development |
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses
If you are a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) targeting the federal market, you must take certain steps to qualify yourself to compete. Getting started with the GSA. |
