Resources
Free Startup/ Entrepreneur Coaching
Request a Consultation: Have a business idea, but not sure where to start? Need help figuring out if you have a viable product idea or creating a pitch? Looking for legal resources? We can help. Free coaching, plus additional resources and programs for new and growing businesses.
Or fill out our Request Makerspace Support form to schedule a time for free help in our Makerspace!
Grant Opportunities
“IMAGINE Your Business” Grant: Provides entrepreneurs with early-stage business ideas and gross revenue less than $200,000, up to $2,000 towards a need you have identified. There will be two submission time frames for this grant, due May 30, 2024 and August 30, 2024. Learn more about this grant opportunity in English or in Spanish!
“Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program” Grant: Berks Arts is administering this grant on behalf of the PA Council on the Arts. Learn More!
Resource Guide for Startups
RESOURCE GUIDE PDF is a collection of all Penn State, Reading and Greater Berks County resources that can be accessed by startups for help. It includes descriptions, costs, hot-links to their web sites, and more.
Idea TestLab
IDEA TESTLAB – The first step to take your idea from concept to business is figuring out if you have identified a problem worth solving. This class will help you: get a better handle on the problem you are trying to solve for your customer; determine where your potential customers hang out; and identify the value of your product compared to what already exists on the market.
Participants will learn how to develop a business model, validate their business model through a scientific process, plus get feedback from faculty experts and experienced entrepreneurs.
Penn State Legal Clinics
ENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE CLINIC– Business/entity formation; founder agreements; employee agreements and management; investor term sheets. Intake Form
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLINIC– general intellectual property counseling; perform patentability and trademark clearance searches; draft patent and trademark applications, and interact with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Intake Form
How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania
STEPS INVOLVED & DIRECTIONS TO FORM AN LLC IN PA Covers choosing a business name, providing a registered office address, filing the articles of organization with state filing fees. Also covers applying for an EIN, setting up a business bank account, and looking into obtaining any necessary licenses, local or industry registrations, and insurance. Small Business Blog.
Dickinson Law’s, “Inside Entrepreneurship Law” Blog
INSIDE ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAW is a blog designed to aid entrepreneurs and their counsel by providing information on relevant topics. A majority of the blog posts were prepared by Dickinson Law students and have been posted with their permission.
GoggleWorks
GOGGLEWORKS CENTER FOR THE ARTS is a place to develop skills, ask questions, experiment freely, and investigate the human spirit.
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance
GREATER READING CHAMBER ALLIANCE is the largest business organization in the region and serves as a catalyst for economic growth. They offer support to both small and large businesses.
Penn State Libraries Business Research Services
PSU LIBRARIES Information on competition, consumer demographics, trends, attitudes and behavior data. Determine market size, demand and segments.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIBRARY RESOURCES Library resources to support entrepreneurial study
Berks & Schuylkill SCORE
BERKS SCHUYLKILL SCORE supports business development through free mentorship and low-cost workshops.
Kutztown Small Business Development Center
KUTZTOWN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Offers existing businesses and early-stage entrepreneurs access to no cost, confidential consulting services and learning opportunities. Offices are in Kutztown, Reading, Harrisburg, Exton, Lancaster, and York.
