Category start-up

Philadelphia as a “supercharged” start-up hub

Philly Startup Leaders
Learn more about PSL at PhillyStartupLeaders.org

 

I found this article interesting because it not only talks about Philadelphia’s history as a start-up city, but also how Philadelphia is doing in the busy entrepreneurial world of today.

As stated, “Philadelphia’s start-up scene today is scrappy, vibrant, and inclusive.” All good adjectives, and all very reminiscent of a city like Philadelphia.

Classic companies such as Comcast, Urban Outfitters, QVC, and Vanguard, as well as Philadelphia newcomers Monetate, Revzilla, and NextDocs, are all big reasons why entrepreneurs have chosen (or are choosing) Philadelphia as a home base for their company.

As I have mentioned on numerous occasions, Philadelphia has one of the most convenient geographical locations in the country (located in the NE US, right between NYC & DC). The Northeastern US is lauded as the nation’s most economically developed, densely populated, and culturally diverse area of the country. Not only does Philadelphia have a prime location, but we also have access to one of the world’s best talent pools; graduating from one of our many academic institutions (e.g. UPenn, Drexel, Temple, etc).

So why am I even blogging about start-ups? This has never been a tech-centric blog, but I try to relate everything I read to the local real estate market.

In today’s global environment, a robust start-up economy is a sign of strong growth. Where there are thinkers/doers, there are opportunities for jobs. Where there are opportunities for jobs, local residents spend their hard-earned money. When local residents spend their hard-earned money, real estate performs well.

Since buying is cheaper than renting today (in all of the 100 largest US metro areas), a healthy job market will increase the buying and selling of Philadelphia real estate. This then leads to even more jobs in other complementary industries (e.g. construction, home improvement stores, retail, etc).

There are 5 areas, as stated by DreamIt Ventures’ managing partner Karen Griffith Gryga, that can make Philadelphia one of the top spots in the US for start-ups and entrepreneurship; and they/re very doable.

Read on to learn more.

SeedPhilly is putting start-ups and investors together

What better way for both parties to find each other than to be introduced?

Brad Denenberg, founder of SeedPhilly and co-founder of Philly Start-Up Leaders, has come up with a great concept to solve a common problem. If start-ups are always looking for willing investors, and investors are always looking for the next start-up, why not put them both together in one central location.

That’s how SeedPhilly was born.

Philadelphia is becoming an Emerging Tech City

 
Some of you may be scratching your heads after reading this post’s header, but there are others who are nodding in agreement.

When you think of thriving regions for technology start-ups, Silicon Valley and NYC both come to mind; right? How about Philadelphia? It’s not a typical candidate for this particular business field … until now.

Philadelphia has always been looked at as an underdog town. Whether it was portrayed through Rocky movies in the ’70s and ’80s, or through general national perception that Philly is just a gritty, blue-collar city. Although the latter may be true (in a sense), there is a new class growing in the heart of our great city; the creative class.

And with the city’s recent approval of small business flexibility, the playing field is being groomed for more successful start-ups to maintain profitability in Philadelphia during their younger years; which is the true test of contenders and pretenders.

This article should help shed some light.