Pittsburgh has a deep bench of organizations that exist to help small businesses start, grow and stay rooted in their neighborhoods. Many of their services are free or low cost, but they can be hard to find if you do not know where to look. This guide organizes the region's major small business resources by what they do, from one-on-one advising to lending, workspace and neighborhood support. Program details change, so contact each organization directly to confirm current offerings.
Free Business Advising and Mentoring
Small Business Development Centers. Pennsylvania's Small Business Development Center network, partly funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, provides free, confidential consulting to entrepreneurs. In the Pittsburgh area, SBDCs are hosted by universities including Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Consultants help with business plans, market research, financial projections and preparing to talk to lenders. The Pennsylvania SBDC website lists locations and services.
SCORE. SCORE is a national nonprofit that pairs business owners with volunteer mentors, many of whom are experienced executives and former business owners. The Pittsburgh chapter offers free mentoring and workshops. Find it through SCORE's national site.
U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA has a Pittsburgh District Office that connects businesses to SBA-backed loan programs, federal contracting programs and local partners. The SBA website is the starting point for its programs.
Access to Capital
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development agency. It has offered loan programs and other financing tools for businesses located in the city, with a focus on neighborhood business districts. Visit the URA website for current programs.
Community development financial institutions. CDFIs are mission-driven lenders that serve businesses traditional banks may overlook. Bridgeway Capital is a Pittsburgh-based CDFI that provides loans and business support to small businesses and nonprofits in Western Pennsylvania.
Allegheny County. Allegheny County's economic development department administers programs for businesses across the county, including those outside city limits.
SBA-backed loans through local banks. Many banks and credit unions in the region participate in SBA loan programs. An SBDC consultant can help you prepare an application.
Startup and Tech Support
Innovation Works. Innovation Works is a Pittsburgh organization that invests in and supports early-stage technology companies. It runs AlphaLab, a well-known accelerator program for startups. Learn more on the Innovation Works website.
University resources. Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh both run entrepreneurship centers and commercialization programs, primarily for students, faculty and alumni, and they host public events and pitch competitions.
Coworking and incubator spaces. Pittsburgh has a range of coworking spaces and incubators where early-stage founders can find desks, networking and programming. See our guide to the best coworking spaces in Pittsburgh.
Research and Information
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The library system offers free access to business databases, market research tools and help from librarians, making it a valuable resource for anyone writing a business plan or researching competitors. Explore what is available at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. DCED administers state programs for businesses and communities and publishes guidance on starting and registering a business in Pennsylvania.
Neighborhood Business Districts
Pittsburgh's business districts are supported by a network of community development corporations and business associations. Groups in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville, East Liberty, Bloomfield, Garfield and the Hill District often help with finding space, navigating city processes, marketing and connecting owners to one another. Downtown businesses can connect with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. If you are opening in a specific neighborhood, reaching out to its local organization early is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Minority, Women and Veteran Business Support
Several organizations in the region focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs. The SBA offers certification and programs for women-owned, veteran-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, including programs that open doors to government contracting. Local nonprofits and business associations also run programs for Black, immigrant and women entrepreneurs. SBDC and SCORE advisors can point you to the right programs for your situation.
How to Get Started
- Start with free advising. Book a session with an SBDC consultant or a SCORE mentor to sharpen your plan.
- Do your research. Use library databases to size your market and study competitors.
- Talk to your neighborhood organization. Local groups know available spaces and can introduce you to neighbors and customers.
- Explore financing options. Compare bank, SBA, URA and CDFI options with help from an advisor.
- Keep learning. Workshops and networking events from these organizations are among the best ways to meet other owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free small business help in Pittsburgh?
The Small Business Development Centers at local universities, the SCORE Pittsburgh chapter and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh all offer free resources, from one-on-one consulting to business research databases.
Who lends to small businesses in Pittsburgh?
Options include banks and credit unions (including SBA-backed loans), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for businesses within the city, and community development financial institutions such as Bridgeway Capital.
Where can tech startups find support in Pittsburgh?
Innovation Works and its AlphaLab accelerator, university entrepreneurship centers at Carnegie Mellon and Pitt, and local coworking spaces are common starting points.
Should I contact my neighborhood business association?
Yes. Neighborhood community development corporations and business associations can help with finding space, understanding local processes and connecting with customers and other owners.