Through PhillyiHub, budding entrepreneurs turn ideas into action plans.
Since 2016, Mt. Airy CDC has spearheaded the PhillyiHub’s business training program that is FREE to qualified and approved candidates. The program is managed by Mt. Airy CDC Business Services Coordinator Aaron Crump, and the curriculum is led by David Simons of Kingdom Social Media.
In fall 2021, with the support of the Wells Fargo Open for Business initiative, Mt. Airy CDC announced a new partnership with Fairmount CDC to expand the program to the neighborhoods the latter serves: Fairmount, Brewerytown, Francisville, Sharswood, and Spring Garden.
Apply for 2023 Cohorts
We are no longer accepting applications for the November 8, 2023 cohort. Please stay tuned for an announcement of future dates.
About PhillyiHub
PhillyiHub was launched by Mt. Airy CDC in 2016 as the Philadelphia Immigrant Innovation Hub. Since the opening reception with Mayor Jim Kenney, the iHub has cycled through several cohorts of students, drawing from immigrant populations, existing businesses looking to grow, and startup entrepreneurs.
With Aaron and David guiding the program, cohort members make connections with fellow business owners, learn about a wealth of available resources, and visualize their businesses — and business plans — on a road map identifying strengths and weaknesses.
Typical Curriculum
** PLEASE NOTE: Curriculum subject is to change for future cohorts. **
A schedule of six, three-hour classes is led by David Simons on Tuesdays, normally at Work Mt. Airy, the coworking space at 6700 Germantown Avenue (lower level). However, since Covid-19 restrictions began in Spring 2020, we’ve conducted the classes via Zoom.
The outline of classes is tentatively as follows:
WEEK ONE: How to Find Your Winning Idea
- What are the key skills, resources, and knowledge you need to be an entrepreneur?
- Do you have the right product or service?
- Identifying the right customers that will pay for your product or service
- How will you fund your startup?
WEEK TWO: Testing Your Business Idea
- Determining market demand for a product or service
- Customer interviews and market research
- Competition and industry research
- Utilizing the Lean Canvas model to validate your idea
WEEK THREE: Pricing & Money
- How do you price your product or service?
- Determining the amount of capital you need to start your business
- How much money do you need to keep the business going (cash flow)?
WEEK FOUR: How to Market Your Business Effectively
- Branding and articulating your message and unique value proposition
- Strategies for startups to find the right customers
WEEK FIVE: Sustaining Business Through Operations
- Location of the business
- Licensing, legal, and insurance
- Hiring the right team and outsourcing
- Developing operational processes for a sustainable business model through systems and technology
WEEK SIX: Visualizing Your Business Through the Lean Canvas Model
- Each person presents their business model canvas and gets feedback from classmates and invited guests
- Share community resources and next steps
Go Mt. Airy Business Association
Work Mt. Airy