University City Science Center

Location

Philadelphia, PA

 

Project Name

OnRamp to Opportunity: Accelerating Post-Pandemic Entrepreneurial Growth and Development in Greater Philadelphia

 

Award Amount

Federal Share

Local Match

 

$744,230

$186,058

The University City Science Center (UCSC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will create a new “OnRamp to Opportunity” initiative to support entrepreneurs, and tech and tech-enabled startups in Greater Philadelphia in moving their technologies from idea stage to accelerated growth.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program will deploy UCSC’s decades-long experience in tech-based economic development and regional network of institutional stakeholders and partners to help re-ignite the formation, incubation, and acceleration of tech and tech-enabled startups. Small business owners face mounting challenges in the light of the COVID-19 crisis and those challenges have been shown to disproportionately impact underrepresented innovators, amplifying existing disparities rather than leveling the playing field.

This programming seeks to narrow the resource gap by providing the programming that underrepresented founders need in a variety of formats. From bi-weekly networking and workshop sessions, to an immersive OnRamp Accelerator, UCSC will meet entrepreneurs where they are and provide customized management and technical assistance.

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