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Introducing
The Small Business Series (SBS) will showcase outstanding, Black-owned organizations across Philadelphia that align with the Whitney M. Young pillars of equality and economic empowerment. The series will uplift and support Philadelphia's Black businesses by awarding capital and providing increased exposure and visibility in the greater Wharton ecosystem.
The Small Business Series' inaugural year will set a precedent. It will become a staple for Philadelphia’s small business community and forge the connection to Whitney M. Young’s legacy and future impact in the business world.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the SBS team at sbs@wmyconference.com.
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is a comic book store and coffee shop hybrid located in the Kensington section of North Philadelphia. The idea for Amalgam was born in 2003 when the owner, Ariell Johnson, was still an accounting student at Temple University. 13 years in the making, Amalgam opened its doors on December 14, 2015. Since its opening Amalgam has garnered national media attention because of its commitment to representation and inclusion. Amalgam is the only black-woman owned shop of its kind, and the first black-woman owned comic book store on the East Coast.
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is a celebration of geek culture. A place for comic book fans, hardcore gamers, movie addicts, television connoisseurs, and zombie apocalypse survivalists to meet, and with their powers combined, change the world a little bit. We specialize in comics, toys & figurines, games, comic related magazines, apparel, coffee & espresso related beverages, and baked goods. A safe haven for all of geekdom! Pick your poison...and enjoy! Proudly serving Philly Fair Trade coffee!
Daddy University Inc. is the longest-running male parenting company in the United States. We educate fathers by providing information, services, advocacy, products, training and development. Daddy University was legally established in 2004 by Founder Joel Austin and Co-Founder Edward McGee.
We provide educational tools in ages and stages, a group setting for all fathers to join and share information and experiences. We offer emotional support, quality time suggestions, help with legal issues, and so much more. We also offer administrative and academic workshops to social services agencies on male engagement and involvement. We are clear in our mission that if we are able to educate fathers about the importance of their role and responsibility, then we will be able to cure many of the world’s problems. We have built this website as an inclusive foundation for fatherhood. We gather and provide information for fathers to cope with and understand almost any parenting situation. Daddy University, Inc. provides legal resources, training, parent groups, and statistics on the importance of father involvement in a child’s life.
Neighborhood Progress Fund believes access to capital is the key to empowering entrepreneurs to play a leading role in the revitalization of their communities, regardless of their economic background. For twenty years, we’ve helped people in forgotten communities start and grow their businesses by providing loans and business development mentoring. Our approach makes all the difference — We lend a helping hand, too. Often our customers have been turned down by traditional lenders because they are not considered creditworthy. As a nonprofit lender, we believe determination and community impact are the best indicators of eligibility. The loans we make are commitments to the community, improving the local economy and creating jobs for residents. We give the opportunity many entrepreneurs need to prove their creditworthiness and achieve financial independence, all while taking part in the revival of the places they live and love.
Open Application Period
Application Screening Process
Top 20 Semi-finalists Announced
Workshop Modules for Top 20 Semi-finalists
Delivery of Short Pitches by Top 20 Semi-finalists
Top 10 Finalists Announced & One-on-one Office Hours with NVC Mentors
To be eligible to participate in the SBS, businesses must meet the following criteria:
How sustainable is the business model? Is it unique and can its advantages be defended?
How large and loyal is the customer base? Has revenue grown over time?
How has the business engaged with and improved the Philadelphia community?
Does the team have the skills, strategy, and willingness to continue to expand the business? What are the business' future plans?
The strength of an application submission will be assessed against the following four category areas:
Apply Now!
Selected NVC finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their new venture in front of a panel of esteemed judges and compete for a chance to win up to $175,000 in non-equity financing and other in-kind prizes to springboard their businesses
Industry Practitioners
Selected NVC finalists will have the opportunity to connect for two one-on-one sessions with our NVC mentors to further refine their pitch and seek additional business guidance on their ventures
Industry Practitioners
5821 Haverford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19131 www.aqpest.com
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse
2578 Frankford Ave, 1st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19125 www.amalgamphilly.com
ARTrageous Brush & Flow
6345 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144 www.artrageousbrushandflow.com
Balancing Life & Kids, Inc.
818 Alexander Ave Drexel Hill, PA 19026 www.balancinglifeandkids.com
Boateng Psychotherapy & Consultation
1226 S. Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19146 www.akuakboateng.com
Bodyrock Bootcamp
3858 Lancaster Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.bodyrockbootcamp.net
Buddha Babe Co
7101 Emlen St Philadelphia, PA 19119 www.buddhababe.us
Career Services by Elle, LLC
5444 Arlington St Philadelphia, PA 19131 www.ellecareerservices.net
Chestnut Hill Cleaning Company
7701 Crefeld St Philadelphia, PA 19118 www.chestnuthillcleaning.com
Civic Capital Consulting
7300 City Ave, Suite 360 Philadelphia, PA 19151 www.civiccapitalconsulting.com
Custom Arts Studio, LLC
438 East Hortter St, Side Door Philadelphia, PA 19119 www.customartsstudio.com
D&P Financial Services
6941 Limekiln Pike Philadelphia, PA 19138 www.dnpfinancial.com
Daddy University Inc.
1500 JFK Blvd, Suite 1410 Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.daddyuniv.com
Dear Laney
1241 Carpenter St Philadelphia, PA 19146 www.xodearlaney.com
Diaspora Educational Services, LLC
150 W. Abbottsford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19144 www.diasporaeducationalservices.org
Dreams Ice Cream Factory At Glenside
33 E. Glenside Ave Glenside, PA 19038 www.dreamsicecream.com
Dreams Lash Bar
4161 Ridge Ave Philadelphia, PA 19129 www.dreamslashbar.com
Duafe Holistic Hair Care Inc.
3129 N 22nd St Philadelphia, PA 19132 www.duafehairsalon.com
Joshua’s Catering
804 Oak Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19126 www.joshuasevents.com
EDAY APP Inc.
Grandmas Hands, LLC
4627 Baltimore Ave Philadelphia, PA 19143
Grant Blvd
3605 Lancaster Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104www.grantblvd.com
Greener Little Seeds, LLC
2534 Amber St Philadelphia, PA 19125 www.greenerlittleseeds.com
Hair Vyce Studio
4828 Baltimore Ave Philadelphia, PA 19143 www.hairvyce.com
Hairs 2 U Wig Bank
760 S. 4th St Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.hairs2u.org
Haitian House
1415 McKinley St Philadelphia, PA 19149
Hakim's Bookstore & Gift Shop
210 S. 52nd St Philadelphia, PA 19139 www.hakimsbookstore.com
John Graves Productions
1214 South St Philadelphia, PA 19149 www.johngravesproductions.org
Just It's Electric, LLC
3900 Ford Road, Suite 5 Philadelphia, PA 19131 www.justitselectric.com
Kingdom Social Media
7551 Malvern Ave Philadelphia, PA 19151 www.kingdomsocialmedia.com
Lash Bash
1716 Sansom Street, 2nd Floor Philadelphia PA 19103 www.lashbashsalon.com
Le Mandingue African Restaurant
6620 Woodland Ave Philadelphia, PA 19142 www.lemandinguephilly.com
Learning Garden Philly
734 South St Philadelphia, PA 19147www.earlyliteracyacademy.com
Loving Heart Behavior & Rehabilitation Services Inc.
543 Bloomfield Ave Drexel Hill, PA 19026 www.lovingheartbehavior.net
Lucky Thirteen Candle Company
Marsh + Mane
529 S. 4th St Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.marshandmane.com
Mel's Butter Blends
3675 Market St, Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.melsbutterblends.com
Mister Relaxation Spa & Lounge
6325 Germantown Ave Philadelphia, PA 19144 www.misterrelaxationspa.com
National Marian Anderson Museum & Historical Society
762 S. Martin St Philadelphia, PA 19146 www.marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com
Nicole Enterprizes Fitness & Apparels, LLC
290 Westbrook Drive Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Neighborhood Progress Fund
1300 W. Lehigh Ave, Suite 100 Philadelphia, PA 19132 www.npfp.org
One Art Community Center
1431-39 N. 52nd St Philadelphia, PA 19131 www.oneartcommunitycenter.com
Paradise Gallery, LLC
41 S. 52 St Philadelphia, PA 19139
Pet Parent Allies
672 W. Johnson St Philadelphia, PA 19144 www.petparentallies.com
Pure OrganiKs
Rage Philly, LLC
1101 Ivy Hill Rd, Unit 2 Philadelphia, PA 19150 www.rageroomphiladelphia.com
Reaching Nirvana, LLC
Sarah Car Care Inc.
7147 Lynford St Philadelphia, PA 19149 www.sarahcarcare.com
Senoj Clothing
1609 South St Philadelphia, PA 19146 www.shopsenoj.com
SMART Fitness Personal Training & Exercise Studio
2499 N. 50th St, Ground Floor Philadelphia, PA 19131 www.smartfitnessstudio.com
Solara Natural Hair Designs
7359 Ogontz Ave Philadelphia, PA 19138 www.solaranaturalhairdesigns.com
The Dress Matters
1024 N. Providence Road Media, PA 19063 www.thedressmatters.com
The Haus of Soul
1516 N. 5th St Philadelphia, PA 19122www.petrasherbinfox.com/haus-of-soul-studio
The Pink Lady Hair Studio
6009 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19139 www.square.site/book/K6R742XS5W6C8/the-pink-lady-hair-studio-phila-pa
The Sable Collective
1400 N. American St Philadelphia, PA 19122 www.thesablecollective.com
Tribaja
3675 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.tribaja.co
Workaholix Media Consulting
3675 Market St. Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.workaholixconsulting.com
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For inquiries and more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at: funds.whartonaambaa@gmail.com
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