Growing an Entrepreneurial Community in Philadelphia


Growing an entrepreneurial community seems to be moving higher on everyone’s priority lists. A recent article from Innovation Philadelphia talks about some of the new initiatives in Philly with regard to supporting and connecting entrepreneurs. In the article, the author mentions a handful of the groups emerging in the Philadelphia region to bolster the entrepreneurial community: Philly Startup Leaders (PSL), Entrepreneurs’ Forum of Greater Philadelphia (EFGP), and Philly Meetup.

The article also mentions Independents Hall, a new non-traditional workspace in Center City increasingly used by creatives and entrepreneurs. (Interestingly, the founder of Independents Hall, Alex Hillman, has some Chicken and Egg thoughts of his own pertaining to culture.)

It’s good to see the entrepreneurial community growing in Philadelphia, but we still have a ways to go. Boulder is one city making great strides in becoming a hot spot of entrepreneurship.

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June 12th, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Alex Hillman
Posted on:
June 13, 2008 at 6:06 am

Hey Robert!

Thanks for making this post. I’m curious, what in your mind defines Boulder as one being seemingly “light years” ahead of us here in Philly?

We just got finished holding IGNITEphilly and if the 325+ person turnout and 19 presentations from leaders within the community who are now actively seeking ways to collaborate are any indication of the volume and quality of movement going on in Philadelphia, I think we’re doing quite alright.

The fact is, I’ve been in fairly regular contact with some of Boulder’s champions and I think they are also doing phenomenal work. I just wonder what specifically you think they are doing that’s exemplary?

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Robert Shedd
Posted on:
June 13, 2008 at 6:39 am

Alex,
Thanks for the comment. I’m certainly glad to have found that there’s more entrepreneurial activity happening in Philadelphia than I was previously aware. I think one big area that Philadelphia lags behind is in perception. This blog was started to track the entrepreneurial community at Penn State. Most of the student entrepreneurs I’ve talked to get the same advice - if you really want to be successful, move - first choice, Silicon Valley. Bolder is regarded as a decent second choice. Philadelphia is nowhere on the map.

I’m involved in working with the Lion Launch Pad, a non-profit organization in State College, whose mission is to try and change the status quo to develop State College into a location that can more effectively support the budding undergraduate entrepreneurs. But, it is very much an uphill battle and the pushback from supporters is usually similar - why try to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to stay in Pennsylvania?

So, as someone based in Philadelphia and working to help other entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, I would love to be able to say that our area is on the same level as Boulder. I’ve talked to individuals involved in the DreamIt program and I think it’s fantastic that’s happening here. However, I think a lot of progress needs to be made on the perception level - until student entrepreneurs are told (and believe!) that it might be ok to stay and wouldn’t limit their potential success, you’re going to have them moving to other startup hubs - Silicon Valley and Boulder. And as long as that’s happening (which it is certainly now), both startup hubs will be light-years ahead of the Philadelphia area.

That said, as someone in Philadelphia, I’d love to learn more about what entrepreneurial communities you’re involved in. I haven’t heard of much happening (again, part of the problem).

Thanks again for the thoughts! It’s great to hear from others in Philadelphia!

Robert

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Geoff DiMasi
Posted on:
June 14, 2008 at 4:22 pm

As one of the coordinators of Ignite Philly, a cofounder of Independents Hall, owner of a web design and development firm in Philadelphia (P’unk Ave), and founder of the Junto, and former Multimedia professor at The University of the Arts, I would say that things have changed in Philadelphia, and they have changed fast.

Most of the time it takes people awhile to feel the completeness of what is happening. I think this might be the case right now in Philadelphia.

I can’t speak for Boulder, but at this point, if I were still teaching, I would have no problem recommending that they stay in Philadelphia. There are a lot of opportunities here.

P.S. Philadelphia was named Best City for New Grads.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24359031/