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Good help for the people building the Burgh.
Find advising, financing, training, and practical help for your next step. Serving vendors and small businesses in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
Not sure where to start? Choose your county and “Free advising” to find a local Small Business Development Center. Bring your idea, business plan, or biggest question.
County results include relevant statewide and national resources. Regional inquiry means the provider should confirm county coverage. Read each listing’s eligibility before applying. “Free” refers only to the specific service named on the card, as stated by the provider. Workshops, memberships, and other services may have separate fees. Confirm the service and any charges when booking.
Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence
Work through a business plan, financing questions, or your next stage of growth with a confidential advisor.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing business owners in the listed service counties. Workshop fees may vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Allegheny, Beaver, Washington
Get individual guidance for starting or growing a business, plus workshops and specialized support.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing business owners in the listed service counties. Workshop fees may vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Armstrong
Connect with a small-business consultant for startup planning, research, and business development.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing business owners in the listed service counties. Workshop fees may vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Fayette, Westmoreland
Find consulting and educational programs for starting or growing a small business.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing business owners in the listed service counties. Workshop fees may vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Somerset
Talk through a launch, business plan, or growth challenge with a small-business consultant.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing business owners in the listed service counties. Workshop fees may vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland
Match with an experienced volunteer mentor and explore local business workshops.
Who it’s for: Use your ZIP code to find a mentor. Individual event fees and registration requirements vary.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
Regional inquiry
Get appointment-based help with marketing, accounting, business operations, or certifications, in person or remotely.
Who it’s for: Aspiring and existing for-profit business owners of all backgrounds. Up to two free appointments per three-month period. Other programs or memberships may charge. Serves an 11-county Western PA region; confirm your county with the center.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
All nine counties · statewide / national
Find the state’s starting point for planning, registration, operating, and expanding a business.
Who it’s for: Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and businesses. Registration and licensing fees depend on your business.
Availability: Online guidance and assistance
All nine counties · statewide / national
Explore a crowdfunded business loan with 0% interest and no lender fees.
Who it’s for: U.S. business eligibility, application approval, and a private/public fundraising process apply. You must repay the loan.
Availability: Application pathway listed; approval and funding are not guaranteed
Allegheny
Explore financing for inventory, equipment, improvements, working capital, and other eligible business uses.
Who it’s for: City of Pittsburgh businesses only—not all of Allegheny County. Loan terms and underwriting depend on the program.
Availability: Contact the provider about fit and current financing availability
All nine counties · statewide / national
Help with qualifying energy-efficiency, waste-reduction, pollution-prevention, or runoff projects.
Who it’s for: PA businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees. Cost sharing, eligible project dates, and savings requirements apply; this is not a general startup grant.
Availability: Window listed open: closes March 19, 2027, or when funds are committed. Confirm remaining funds.
All nine counties · statewide / national
Search state programs by your project and read the administering agency’s eligibility rules.
Who it’s for: Program-specific applicants, uses, and deadlines. Some listings are for governments or organizations rather than individual businesses.
Availability: Directory includes varied programs; listing does not mean applications are open
All nine counties · statewide / national
Get help recruiting staff, posting jobs, connecting with training, and finding workforce resources.
Who it’s for: Pennsylvania businesses. Ask the local team about any training-funding requirements before making commitments.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
All nine counties · statewide / national
Prepare to sell to government customers and get a referral to your local APEX Accelerator for specialized assistance.
Who it’s for: Established businesses exploring government markets. This is readiness assistance, not a contract award.
Availability: See provider for appointments and current availability
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