The City’s platform to fund projects that grow Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, StartupPHL Call for Ideas, is looking for your good ideas. 

PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Jim Kenney and Commerce Director Harold T. Epps announced that StartupPHL is now accepting applications for the fifth round of Call for Ideas, a grant program to fund innovative proposals that support Philadelphia’s startup ecosystem. The application is available online.

“Call for Ideas is a fantastic example of how public-private partnerships can help Philadelphia companies and residents,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This program allows the City of Philadelphia to access some our greatest talents and have them come up with creative solutions to the ongoing issues facing our city. Call for Ideas provides local startups with the chance to show off their expertise, and the resulting projects directly benefit Philadelphia residents.”

The Call for Ideas program provides small grants to organizations with ideas or initiatives that best meet the objectives of StartupPHL. These objectives are:

• Increasing business and job creation in Philadelphia;
• Enhancing collaboration between organizations that support entrepreneurs;
• Fostering networks and creating space for entrepreneurs to develop businesses and connect with mentors, advisors, talent and capital;
• Deepening integration and coordination between city government, citizens, students, and the startup community.

While all submissions are welcome, this fifth round of Call for Ideas is focused on utilizing the open data sets published by the City of Philadelphia and using entrepreneurship as a tool to help reduce poverty.

The first StartupPHL Call for Ideas was launched in October 2012 as part of the larger StartupPHL initiative. Twenty Call for Ideas grants have been awarded to date. Past grant awardees include: Coded by Kids, Tiny WPA, TechGirlz, Schoolyard Ventures, and Zivtech.

“We are excited to welcome the next batch of applicants and to continue fostering a positive reciprocal relationship between the City and Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs,” said Commerce Director Harold T. Epps. “I am eager to see what possible solutions our community of innovative startups brings to the table to help fight the poverty that persists in Philadelphia. This is a deep-rooted issue for our city, one that we all must play a role in addressing.”

Read the entire press release.

Get more application information.

The StartupPHL Call for Ideas is a Department of Commerce and PIDC program that provides grants for projects that support entrepreneurs and improve Philadelphia’s startup scene. Call for Ideas grants are NOT for funding a business startup costs. The Call for Ideas application period is now OPEN.