Entrepreneurship
Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
AEO was founded in 1991and remains the only national member-based association dedicated to microenterprise development. They provide their members with a forum, information and a voice to promote enterprise opportunity for people and communities with limited access to economic resources. AEO also represents the US microenterprise agenda in the growing international community.
Membership in AEO is open to all those who are committed to microenterprise development. Their members include practitioners, advocates, public agencies, funders, and others who share in their mission.
AEO Provides information and resources for microbusinesses-those with five or fewer employees that require $35,000 or less of start-up capital and do not have access to the commercial banking sector. In general, AEO provide entrepreneurs with training and technical assistance, microloans, access to market services and training, and/or economic literacy and asset development services.
Many AEO members provide direct microloans of $35,000 or less. Those who don't operate their own loan funds act as referral organizations, directing individuals to other groups and organizations that provide lending services. In most cases, organizations require that individuals complete a training program before they can become eligible for microloans.
U. S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)
The mission of USASBE is to advance knowledge and foster business development through entrepreneurship education and research. It is interdisciplinary, cross-functional and globally connected (as an affiliate of the International Council for Small Business). USASBE is the premier network for entrepreneurship educators at all student levels, for professional practitioners, for entrepreneurship researchers, and for government policy makers. It offers cutting-edge programs for entrepreneurship education and encourages research that has practical application.
US Small Business Administration
SBA's mission is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.
PA SBDC
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers provides high quality education and consulting to Pennsylvania entrepreneurs to help them start, compete and grow in the competitive global economy.
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute
Fox School of Business and Management The Fox School of Management's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute cultivates entrepreneurial spirit throughout Temple University. The IEI is committed to a holistic, hands-on, relationship-intensive model of living education that integrates the business experience of entrepreneurs and professional advisors with the perspective and techniques of faculty and the enthusiasm and developing skill sets of students.
Temple University's Small Business Development Center
An outreach center of the Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University, the SBDC assists existing businesses and start-ups expand their knowledge with free, one-on-one consulting. The Temple University SBDC can help set up or improve a company's day-to-day operations and troubleshoot problem areas.
The Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia, Inc.
Dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial activity among early stage companies and entrepreneurs in the Delaware Valley. The Forum serves as a clearing house and focal point, offering entrepreneurs, inventors, investors and professional advisors a forum to exchange ideas, advice and investment opportunities.
SCORE
SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is the best source of free and confidential small business advice to help you build your business-from idea to start-up to success. The SCORE Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide.