Temple University Small Business Development Center: Powering Entrepreneurs in Philadelphia

Temple SBDC – A Lifeline for Philadelphia’s Small Businesses

Temple University Small Business Development Center (Temple SBDC) is one of the most important entrepreneurship hubs in Philadelphia, offering no‑cost consulting, training, and resources to help startups and small businesses launch, grow, and thrive. As part of the Pennsylvania SBDC network and the Fox School of Business at Temple University, it serves entrepreneurs across Philadelphia and Montgomery counties with a strong focus on inclusive economic growth and support for diverse business owners. While Temple SBDC is deeply involved in amplifying and supporting Black‑owned businesses through its programs and outreach, it is not itself a Black‑owned business but a university‑affiliated, nonprofit service center.

Temple SBDC Location, Contact, and Online Access

To make it easy for entrepreneurs to connect, Temple SBDC maintains a primary location on Temple’s Main Campus and additional outreach locations in the region.

How to Reach Temple SBDC

Website: Temple University Small Business Development Center – https://www.fox.temple.edu/faculty-research/institutes-centers/small-business-development-center
Program page: Temple SBDC page on the PA SBDC network – https://www.pasbdc.org/temple/
Main campus address: 1801 Liacouras Walk, Alter Hall 739, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Additional Philadelphia office: 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (used for some SBDC staff and consulting activity)
Ambler campus outreach site: 580 Meetinghouse Road, Library Building Room 13, Ambler, PA 19002
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 215‑204‑7282
Google Maps directions (Main Campus office): Search “Temple University Small Business Development Center, 1801 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122” in Google Maps to generate turn‑by‑turn directions from your location.

These locations and channels allow entrepreneurs from different neighborhoods and nearby suburbs to connect with experienced consultants without needing to travel far or navigate an unfamiliar campus.

What Temple SBDC Does for Entrepreneurs

Temple SBDC’s mission is to help small businesses start, grow, and prosper by providing practical, high‑quality support at no cost to the entrepreneur. The center works with aspiring founders, early‑stage startups, and existing businesses that want to expand, modernize, or become more resilient.

No‑Cost, Confidential Business Consulting

Temple SBDC offers confidential, one‑on‑one consulting sessions where entrepreneurs can work directly with a trained business consultant on their specific challenges.

Key consulting areas include:

Business planning and business model development
Financial projections, cash‑flow planning, and funding readiness
Marketing strategy, branding, and digital marketing basics
eCommerce, online presence, and technology implementation
Operations, management systems, and growth planning

Because these services are funded through federal, state, and university partnerships, business owners can access them at no monetary cost, which is especially valuable to founders who may not have the budget for private consulting.

Training, Workshops, and Classes

In addition to individual consulting, Temple SBDC runs an ongoing calendar of workshops, webinars, and short courses designed to build specific skills.

Common topics include:

How to start a business legally in Pennsylvania
Writing or refining a business plan
Understanding small business finance and bookkeeping
Marketing, social media strategy, and digital presence
Export readiness and international trade for small firms

These events often cater to business beginners, digital novices, and founders who may be the first in their families or communities to start a company, which helps lower barriers to entry.

Role in Supporting Black and Other Minority Entrepreneurs

Temple SBDC is not a Black‑owned business; it is a university‑affiliated, nonprofit center, but it plays a meaningful role in uplifting Black‑owned and other minority‑owned businesses in Philadelphia. Its programming and partnerships are deliberately structured to increase access to resources, visibility, and networks for underrepresented founders.

Highlighting and Promoting Black‑Owned Businesses

Temple’s Fox School of Business and Temple SBDC regularly spotlight Black‑owned businesses in Philadelphia, especially during Black Business Month and Black History Month.

Examples of this support include:

Publishing shopping guides and features that amplify Black‑owned businesses connected to Temple and the wider community
Showcasing SBDC clients and Temple alumni who own Black‑owned businesses, giving them additional exposure and credibility
Creating content that encourages local consumers to intentionally support Black‑owned enterprises

This amplification helps Black entrepreneurs reach new customers and partners, and frames them as leaders within the city’s business ecosystem.

Inclusive, Non‑Discriminatory Services

Temple SBDC clearly states that all its programs are non‑discriminatory and open to the public. It also offers reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities if requested in advance, which reinforces a commitment to accessible entrepreneurship for everyone.

For Black and other minority entrepreneurs, this inclusive approach means:

Access to the same high‑level consulting and training as any other business owner
Opportunities to participate in cohorts, workshops, and programs that specifically address challenges faced by underrepresented founders
A supportive environment where cultural and community context is recognized and valued

While ownership of the center rests with Temple University and its public‑sector partners, its day‑to‑day work has a direct impact on the success and sustainability of Black‑owned businesses across the city.

How Temple SBDC Fits into the Philadelphia Ecosystem

Temple SBDC is part of a broader network of support for entrepreneurs in the region, and it collaborates with other institutions to extend its reach. This network helps ensure that Philadelphia‑area founders can find the right mix of mentoring, capital, training, and community connections at each stage of their business journey.

Connection to the Pennsylvania SBDC Network

The Temple center operates within the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (PASBDC) system, a statewide network of 15 centers and outreach locations. As a nationally accredited program, PASBDC brings shared standards, training resources, and funding that enable Temple SBDC to deliver robust services over the long term.

For entrepreneurs, this means:

Access to a large pool of expertise in many industries and specialties
Ability to tap into statewide programs on exporting, technology commercialization, or procurement
A consistent quality of service, whether meeting in North Philly, Center City, or another Pennsylvania county

Embedded in Temple’s Fox School of Business

Temple SBDC is housed within the Fox School of Business, giving it direct access to academic expertise, student talent, and research. This university connection creates a powerful bridge between theory and practice: business owners bring real‑world problems, and faculty, staff, and students help co‑create practical solutions.

The Fox School’s broader commitment to equity and community engagement reinforces Temple SBDC’s emphasis on helping historically underserved entrepreneurs, including Black business owners and other minority founders.

What to Expect When You Engage Temple SBDC

Entrepreneurs approaching Temple SBDC for the first time can expect a structured, supportive experience designed to clarify their ideas and move them toward concrete action.

Typical First Steps for a New Entrepreneur

Submit an online request or intake form through the Temple SBDC website to describe your business idea or existing business.
Schedule a one‑on‑one consultation where a consultant will review your goals, challenges, and current resources.
Work together on a roadmap that may include drafting or revising a business plan, establishing financial projections, and identifying training events to attend.

From there, you can return for follow‑up consulting, join workshops, and get help preparing for bank loans, grants, or other funding opportunities.

Why Temple SBDC Matters for Philadelphia’s Black Entrepreneurs

Even though Temple SBDC is not a Black‑owned business, its programs are a vital support system for Black entrepreneurs who may face barriers such as limited access to traditional financing, fewer inherited business networks, or less exposure to formal business education.

The center helps address these gaps by:

Providing no‑cost, high‑quality consulting that many early‑stage Black founders could not otherwise afford
Offering education that demystifies business planning, lending, and marketing in clear, practical terms
Partnering with other Temple and community initiatives that specifically celebrate and promote Black‑owned businesses

As a result, many Black‑owned businesses in Philadelphia can improve their operations, strengthen their financial footing, and gain visibility, while still maintaining full ownership and control of their companies.

Visiting Temple SBDC and Getting Directions

Temple SBDC’s main office is on Temple University’s urban campus in North Philadelphia, making it accessible by public transit, car, bike, or on foot. Its location in Alter Hall places it at the heart of the university’s business community, with easy access to academic and professional resources.

Getting There via Google Maps

To get directions from your exact location:

Open Google Maps in your browser or app.
Search for: “Temple University Small Business Development Center, 1801 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122”.
Select “Directions” and choose your starting point and mode of transportation (driving, transit, walking, or biking).

Google Maps will provide a step‑by‑step route, including SEPTA options if you are using public transportation within Philadelphia. This makes it straightforward for entrepreneurs from any neighborhood—North Philly, West Philly, Center City, or the suburbs—to access the center’s resources in person.