Run the Room — Pennsylvania
Resources for people starting and running a business in Pennsylvania — the national programs that apply everywhere, the state offices that register and support businesses here, and the local help in Pennsylvania's largest metro areas. Compiled by Run the Room, the weekly podcast on how business actually works, hosted by Alex and Jordan.
Pennsylvania Resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Office (Philadelphia)
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Pennsylvania.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — District OfficeSBA Western Pennsylvania District Office (Pittsburgh)
Federal small-business programs, counseling referrals, and disaster assistance for Pennsylvania.
- Small Business Development CenterPennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (Pennsylvania SBDC)
Free, confidential business advising and low-cost training across Pennsylvania.
- Business Registration & Entity SearchPennsylvania Department of State — Business
Register a business, search entity records, and keep filings current.
- Commerce & Economic DevelopmentPennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
The state's economic development agency — programs, incentives, and business assistance.
- State Chamber of CommercePennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
The statewide business association and chamber network.
- Business One-Stop PortalPA Business One-Stop
The state's official one-stop portal for business registration and licensing.
Local Resources — Largest Metro Areas
Philadelphia
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Greater Philadelphia
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- Chamber of CommerceThe Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
The metro chamber of commerce.
Pittsburgh
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Pittsburgh
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh SBDC — Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce / Allegheny Conference on Community Development
The metro chamber of commerce.
Allentown
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Lehigh Valley
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- SBDC CenterLehigh University Small Business Development Center
The local Small Business Development Center office.
- Chamber of CommerceGreater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
The metro chamber of commerce.
Harrisburg
- SCORE MentoringSCORE Harrisburg
Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers.
- Chamber of CommerceHarrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
The metro chamber of commerce.
National Resources
- National ResourceU.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency for small business — starting, funding, growing, and government contracting.
- National ResourceSBA Local Assistance Finder
Find SBA offices, SBDCs, SCORE chapters, and other resource partners near you.
- National ResourceSCORE — Mentoring & Workshops
Free mentoring and low-cost workshops from experienced business volunteers.
- National ResourceAmerica's SBDC
The national network of Small Business Development Centers — free advising in every state.
- National ResourceSBA Funding Programs
Loans, investment capital, grants, and surety bonds administered or backed by the SBA.
- National ResourceIRS Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Center
Federal tax guidance, forms, and deadlines for small businesses and the self-employed.
- National ResourceUSA.gov — Business
The federal government's official business portal: licenses, permits, and regulations.
- National ResourceMinority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Programs and business centers supporting minority-owned businesses.
- National ResourceVeterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
Business training and counseling for veterans, service members, and military spouses.
Listen
New episodes every Sunday at 7:00 PM ET — business built from the very beginning. Browse the complete episode index, or listen on your platform of choice:
Resource links point to official program and agency sites and were verified when this page was generated. Programs and URLs change — if a link fails, the SBA Local Assistance Finder above will route you to the current office.