For small businesses and startups, finding the right funding can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But in Lancaster County, entrepreneurs have a powerful ally in their corner: Cultivate Lancaster. 

As the region’s go-to resource hub for small business owners, Cultivate Lancaster connects entrepreneurs with the tools, support systems, and financial pathways they need to grow with less friction and more impact. 

Through Cultivate Lancaster’s Funding Resources portal, business owners can submit one centralized request to connect with multiple local funders and technical support organizations. This streamlined approach eliminates the guesswork and opens the door to tailored opportunities based on a business’s unique needs. 

Local partners include ASSETS, Community First Fund, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, PennTAP, EDC, and Berks Arts, each offering different avenues of support—from community development loans and accelerator programs to grants for creative entrepreneurs and technical assistance. 

Even niche opportunities, like tax incentives through the CRIZ program or city-based small business grants, are highlighted, making it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to uncover resources they may not have known existed. 

Funding is just one piece of the puzzle. Cultivate Lancaster also hosts a Find Resources directory that helps entrepreneurs discover local experts in accounting, legal services, branding, training, mentorship, and coworking spaces. By pulling together Lancaster’s entrepreneurial ecosystem into one accessible platform, Cultivate empowers founders to take action and build momentum regardless of where they are in their journey. 

Event Spotlight: “Money, Money, Money” Returns August 7 

To help demystify the funding process even further, Cultivate Lancaster is hosting “Money, Money, Money” on Thursday, August 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Lancaster Chamber building (115 E. King Street). 

This free event will include workshops on how to prepare for and access grants, loans, and tax credits; Q&A sessions with local business finance experts; and one-on-one consultations for entrepreneurs seeking practical next steps. Whether you’re just starting out or planning for growth in 2025, this event is designed to deliver clarity and actionable advice. 

Cultivate Lancaster 

Entrepreneurship in Lancaster is thriving but no one builds a business alone. Cultivate offers a space for small businesses to identify resources they need, meet with business support organizations, and network with each other. Through resource-sharing, strategic partnerships, and events like “Money, Money, Money,” Cultivate Lancaster continues to be a catalyst for small business success across the region. 

Explore upcoming opportunities and register for the event at cultivatelancaster.com.  

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