If you are a minority entrepreneur who is either interested in starting or currently owns a business in Pennsylvania, there are many organizations that offer services specifically geared toward supporting you and your business. The resources in this section range from local to national and offer specific opportunities and funding to minority-owned businesses.

State Resources

Minority-owned businesses are growing at a much faster rate than that of U.S. businesses overall. The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of historically underrepresented and underserved populations, including minorities. Spanish-speaking business services are also available for our minority-owned businesses. Learn more about the SBDC resources for minority-owned businesses in Pennsylvania.

Federal Resources

The Opens in new windowMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned business through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. They also work to connect minority-owned businesses with the capital, contracts, and markets they need to grow. Serving as subject matter experts and advocates for the minority business community, the MBDA conducts high-quality research and cultivates domestic and international relationships.

In support of small disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace, the federal government, through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) created the Opens in new window8(a) Business Development Program, a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.