COVID-19 Resources & Opportunities

As the COVID-19 response evolves and its impacts are felt across the community, the Pennovation Works team is gathering resources and opportunities to support innovators on campus and beyond.

 

Safety Measures on Campus

  • City of PHL Reopening Guidance
  • Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-Person Operations

 

Federal Resources

  • Small Business Association (SBA) COVID-19 Guidance & Loan Resources: The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters
    • [Re-opened June 15] COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
    • [Round 2 Resumed April 27] SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Established from the CARES Act (below), this is an SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. Applications will go directly through your bank; we recommend reaching out ASAP if interested.
      • Updated FAQ as of April 23, 2020
      • City of PHL & Goldman Sachs Partnership through Lendistry: $10 million initiative to provide Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for local small businesses - focused on those that have been unable to submit an application with an approved PPP lender.
      • PPP Loan Forgiveness Webinar Recording 5/7 w. Pepper Hamilton
  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”): Summary & key takeaways of the CARES Act of March 27, 2020
    • The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
    • PCI Ventures Resources on CARES Act & PPP
  • Department of Labor Resources: Includes workplace safety resources from OHSA, and information on wages & leave
    • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): In most cases, the FFCRA requires employers with less than 500 employees to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
  • [Now Closed] U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Save Small Business Fund: Grants of $5K for small businesses, 3-20 people. Applications open April 20th.

 

State Resources (Pennsylvania) 

  • [2nd Window Open on August 10th] PA Small Business Grants: $225M statewide grant program to support small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19
  • Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund: forgivable loans for small businesses based in PA for >1 year, 3-30 employees
  • [Now Closed] COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA): Offering zero-interest loans up to $100,000 that can be used for working capital
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Guide for Businesses
  • PA Department of Community and Economic Development Business Resources
  • Senator Casey Coronavirus Resources for Pennsylvanians

 

Local Resources (Philadelphia)

  • PIDC Restart PHL Loan Fund: Loan program for small businesses with less than $5M in revenue; targeted to historically disadvantaged communities with a specific focus on minority, women, and immigrant-owned businesses located on commercial corridors in low-income areas
  • [Now Closed] Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund: The City of Philadelphia and PIDC launched this fund for businesses with less than $5M in revenue; it offers grants for businesses with revenue under $3M, and zero-interest loans for businesses between $3M and $5M in revenue.
  • City of Philadelphia Updates
    • What the CARES Act means for Philadelphia’s small businesses
    • Information and resources for workers impacted by COVID-19
    • Accessing Department of Licensing & Inspection services online
  • PIDC Resources: including a helpful table of Funding & Financial Assistance opportunities
  • The Enterprise Center: offering loans for businesses impacted by COVID-19
  • The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia COVID-19 Information Hub: Legislative updates and crisis support for businesses
  • University of Pennsylvania Coronavirus Information & Resources

 

Other Regional Resources

  • New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
  • Delaware Small Businesses COVID-19 Information
  • Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund

 

Additional Resources

  • Other Funding Opportunities
    • Qualcomm Small Business Accelerator Program: Provides equipment & support to transition to mobile business. Applications open through June 30, 2020.
    • LISC & Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: Offering grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses, and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital; first round of applications were due April 4th. Another round begins mid-April.
    • Salesforce Care for Small Businesses: Includes a $10,000 grant opportunity opening mid-April
    • GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund: Provides $500 matching grant for small businesses that raise $500 through a GoFundMe campaign
  • Legal
    • Pepper Hamilton Resource Center
    • Morgan Lewis Resources: Includes helpful webinars (recordings & upcoming)
    • K&L Gates Hub
  • Financial
    • Wipfli (CPAs and Consultants): Includes resources across talent, business finance, legislation, cybersecurity, technology, & personal finance
  • Entrepreneurs & Startups
    • National Venture Capital Association (NVCA): Coronavirus Information and Resources for VCs and Startups
    • Philly Startup Leaders Resources For Entrepreneurs Navigating COVID-19
    • First Round Review: The Founder's Field Guide for Navigating This Crisis

 

Virtual Programming

  • Pennovation Events & Programs: Pennovation Works will continue to make available virtual programs for our community; please see this section of our website to sign up
  • 1776 Virtual Engagement Calendar
  • JLABS Webinars: Select "Webinars" to filter view
    • Access all Webinar Recordings here!
  • Philly Startup Leaders Virtual Mentors: These mentors have all offered to help early-stage companies during this challenging time

 

Ways to Get Involved

  • Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Supplies
    • City of Philadelphia PPE Donations 
    • #GetUsPPE: Provides needed supplies & donation sites across the U.S.
    • SONSIEL Call to Action
    • Life Sciences PA: Calling on all Life Sciences and Other Organizations to Donate Supplies to Fight COVID-19
  • Calls for Makers 
    • Penn Health-Tech COVID-19 Collaboration Platform: Submit an idea or join a team
    • #GetUsPPE Call for Makers: Opportunities for those in 3D printing, manufacturing, rapid prototyping, injection molding, laser printing, and sewing to help make supplies
    • Cover Aid PHL: Opportunities to volunteer in local mask production
  • Donate
    • PHL COVID-19 Fund: Aids nonprofits on the frontline of the pandemic, providing urgent resources throughout the Philadelphia region
  • Building Capacity to Combat COVID-19 in Africa: Ideas and Innovations from Young Entrepreneurs (through the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School): proposals due September 15, 2020.

If you have additional resources that have been helpful to you to share with our community, please email us

 

aerial photo of Pennovation Works