Beginning this fall, budding entrepreneurs will take their first step toward operating a successful enterprise when PhillyiHub launches anew. Founded in 2016 as the Philadelphia Immigrant Innovation Hub, the program still welcomes immigrant entrepreneurs but has evolved to draw from a broader audience of business owners. PhillyiHub is managed by Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA), the local community development corporation who also manages the Go Mt. Airy Business Association.
“Through our Business Association, we’ve found a lot of business owners, particularly the smaller and newer ones, looking for additional resources to help them grow,” says Brad Copeland, MAUSA’s Executive Director. “With the PhillyiHub, we intend to help business owners test and market their business ideas.” The program is intended to serve as a precursor to other business resources and programs like CCP’s Power Up Your Business.
Pearl Wang-Herrera, Director of Power Up, agrees: “The Community College of Philadelphia is excited to partner with Mt. Airy USA on PhillyiHub to help early stage entrepreneurs make sure they have the right tools and right business model to start a successful business,” she said. To that end, CCP will provide the curriculum in six, three-hour classes to be held on Tuesdays this fall.
Perhaps most enticing to a startup owner, the program is free, thanks to financial support from Philadelphia LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).
“LISC is committed to supporting projects that revitalize communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents,” said Andrew Frishkoff, Executive Director of Philadelphia LISC. “PhillyiHub is a key resource for local entrepreneurs serving their community.”
Registrants must apply online at phillyihub.com . The first cohort of the new PhillyiHub will meet 6–9pm beginning Tuesday, October 23rd, and meet each Tuesday for six weeks. With a capacity of 25, the classes will take place at Work Mt. Airy, the coworking space managed by MAUSA.
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