Program Overview

About the Program

The Small Business and Mentoring Program helps local small businesses overcome the most common barriers to university contracting: compliance, capacity, and access.

Many entrepreneurs have the skills, drive, and service offerings needed to succeed—but lack the licensing, documentation, or institutional knowledge required to secure university contracts. That's where this program comes in.

We work closely with Philadelphia-based small businesses to:

• Assess their contract readiness
• Address gaps in licensing, insurance, or tax compliance
• Connect them with city and state support agencies
• Facilitate introductions to Temple's procurement staff
• Position them for ongoing success—within Temple and the broader market

This initiative is built on Temple's commitment to economic equity and local partnership. It's not just about awarding contracts—it's about building long-term relationships and shared success.

Program Objectives

The program aims to support local small businesses in overcoming common barriers to university contracting. The objectives of the program include:

• Assessing contract readiness
• Addressing gaps in licensing, insurance, or tax compliance
• Connecting businesses with city and state support agencies
• Facilitating introductions to Temple's procurement staff
• Positioning businesses for ongoing success

Program Benefits

The program offers several benefits to participating small businesses, including:

• Improved contract readiness
• Enhanced compliance with licensing, insurance, and tax requirements
• Increased access to city and state support agencies
• Facilitated introductions to Temple's procurement staff
• Opportunities for ongoing success and growth

Program Details

The program is designed to support Philadelphia-based small businesses in overcoming common barriers to university contracting. The program details include:

• Assessment of contract readiness
• Addressing gaps in licensing, insurance, or tax compliance
• Connection with city and state support agencies
• Facilitation of introductions to Temple's procurement staff
• Positioning for ongoing success—within Temple and the broader market