About Us

Our Mission

Entrepreneur Works (EW) creates pathways of opportunity for talented yet underserved entrepreneurs.

Across the Philadelphia region our clients start and grow small businesses, create jobs for themselves and their neighbors, and strengthen the local economy. EW offers access to affordable loans, business training, and one-on-one guidance to hundreds of entrepreneurs each year, empowering small business owners from all walks of life to prosper and build sustainable communities.

EW provides an array of financial products (loans and grants) and business support services (training workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, business-to-business relationship building events) for entrepreneurs and small businesses. EW’s target market includes aspiring and established entrepreneurs who are low and moderate income; women; immigrants; members of racial or ethnic minorities; and other historically disadvantaged populations, including returning citizens and veterans.

Since 1998

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Small Businesses Served
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Small Businesses Provided
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Overall Investment

Through our suite of entrepreneurial services including special topic workshops, business fundamentals, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance, EW helps small business owners develop stronger financial practices and increase their economic mobility.

As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), EW complements its entrepreneurial training services with small business loan products that provide up to $50,000 in flexible lending capital to entrepreneurs, who are ineligible for traditional financing, to launch, stabilize or scale. EW’s clients create jobs for themselves and their communities, allowing for opportunities to build personal and business wealth while contributing to local economic growth.

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Our History

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  • 1989

    Philadelphia Development Partnership (PDP) was established as a resource aggregator and advocate for the development of public policies and programs supporting community development.

  • 1998

    Launched the Peer Group Microenterprise Program, which provided peer support and access to capital for aspiring entrepreneurs. Established loan fund and started offering loans of up to $5,000. Opened a satellite office in Chester, Pennsylvania.

  • 2001

    Received Federal funding to provide business training and guidance to entrepreneurs.

  • 2003

    Started offering loans of up to $25,000.

  • 2010

    Made 300th loan.

  • 2013

    Reached $1 million lending milestone.

  • 2014

    Introduced Business Growth Loans of up to $50,000 and doubled lending staff.

    In partnership with Bank of America and The Tory Burch Foundation, The Women First Loan was created.

  • 2021

    $8.3M in COVID-19 relief grants through EW facilitated programs

Meet Our Staff + Board

Caring, committed, and knowledgeable. We’re in your corner.

Our Partners and Supporters

We thank all of our supporters for making it possible for us to help entrepreneurs build strong, sustainable businesses.