About Us
Widener University
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Widener University Small Business Development Center assists businesses in their goal to start, grow and prosper. Our center provides one-on-one consulting services and delivers educational training programs to new and existing businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The mission of the Widener SBDC is to grow the economy of Delaware and Philadelphia Counties by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information, and tools necessary to build a successful businesses.
In early 2019, the Widener SBDC was designated as a Next-Gen Lab for Design Thinking and Analytics by SAP and became the first of 1,100 SBDCs in the country to achieve this designation. In 2019 and 2020, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded the Widener SBDC with the Center Performance Award to recognize exceptional performance in each year. Along with this award, we also received the 2019 and 2020 Partner and Service Awards to recognize our operational abilities.
Specialty Programs and Services
Widener SBDC helps entrepreneurs start, grow and prosper through the following specialty programs and services:
APEX Accelerators
The APEX Accelerators helps businesses of all sizes market to the government – federal, state, and local. Our counseling services help entrepreneurs understand, apply, and comply with government contracts. As an added value to our clients, we provide free access to Bid Match opportunities. This program is funded by the United States Department of Defense.
Small Business Environmental Assistance (EMAP) Program
EMAP provides free and confidential environmental compliance assistance to small businesses. Our environmental consultants will help you understand how to comply with regulatory requirements and assist you with the preparation of plans and permit applications for start-ups and existing businesses. This program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Center of Excellence Supporting Latino Entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania
The Center of Excellence for Inclusive and Sustainable Excellence Supporting Latino Entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania provides bilingual (Spanish / English) and bicultural business consulting services. This program is funded by the U.S. CARES ACT.
Center of Excellence in Healthcare and Life Sciences
The COE in Health and Life Sciences aims to:
- Assist medium to large institutions in creating “quick win” innovation by harnessing the talent and insights of front-line staff so that concepts can be quickly evaluated and rapidly move to commercialization.
- Assist healthcare entrepreneurs working outside of institutions with getting access to institutional support to validate and refine concepts.
- Understand existing mechanisms for healthcare supply chains (during COVID-19) and assist entrepreneurs with market access.
This program is funded by the U.S. CARES ACT.
About Widener University
Widener University is Our Host Institution
Situated on a welcoming and beautiful campus a short train ride from Center City, Philadelphia, Widener offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and law degrees across more than 60 programs—including highly ranked programs in nursing, engineering, social work, and the arts and sciences.
Our students are hardworking, self-motivated, and ambitious. They prepare for the future through hands-on internships, co-ops, and research experiences. They learn from and collaborate with a faculty of respected leaders and influencers—professors who take a personal and individualized approach to teaching and career guidance.
Prepared for success by a university-wide focus on professional leadership development, our graduates enjoy fast starts and often advance to management positions, posting a median post-graduate salary well above the national average.
Resource Partners
Widener SBDC is partially funded by the Department of Community & Economic Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Widener University.
Cooperative Agreement
The Widener University SBDC is partially funded by a grant from the Department of Community & Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration under a Cooperative Agreement.
The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor(s)’ or participants’ opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products, or services.
Funding Partners
Funding support and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development; through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and in part through support from Widener University.
All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling 610-499-4109. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government.
By agreeing to receive assistance from the SBDC you are self-certifying that you are not currently federally debarred or suspended and also agree to cease using SBDC services if you become federally debarred or suspended in the future.
All SBDC programs are non-discriminatory and open to the public. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested, at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Widener University SBDC at 1304 Walnut St. Chester PA, 19013, 610-499-4109.
The Widener University SBDC is a member of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers and the National Association of Small Business Development Centers.
About the Pennsylvania SBDC Network
Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Network
Widener SBDC is a member of the Pennsylvania network of Small Business Development Centers (PASBDC) and the National Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).
The Pennsylvania SBDC network services have helped small firms throughout the Commonwealth raise start-up and expansion capital, start new companies, and sell billions worth of Pennsylvania products and services throughout the world. As a result, SBDC clients have created thousands of new jobs and generated millions in new state income tax revenue.
