By David Rosen

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Philadelphia business owners on the hunt for financing opportunities should mark their calendars for the upcoming Philly Access: Business Funding Summit. The Department of Commerce alongside SEPTA is hosting an event, particularly for small and growing businesses eager to learn about securing financing through local banks and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), according to a page on the City of Philadelphia’s official website.

Slated for October 8 and 9, 2025, the two-day affair is set to arm participants with crucial tips for preparing a solid funding application, understanding necessary documentation, and discovering financial channels that suit their business needs. Despite having a packed schedule from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at SEPTA Headquarters, this summit also ties into the larger scope of the 41st Annual Micro Economic Development Week.

The summit promises a lineup of sessions including a fireside chat with Moderator Donovan West, Director of the Mayor’s Business Roundtables, and featured speaker Felicia Wilson, a local business owner of Amina Hospital Collection. Panel discussions will be held, steering focus on pressing issues faced by entrepreneurs in the realm of finance. Figures like David Langlieb of the Philadelphia Accelerator Fund, and Varsoria Fernandez from the PA CDFI Network, will be on the panel to offer insights into the funding landscape, as detailed on the city’s website.

Business attendees will have the chance to mingle with representatives from financial and support organizations, such as Ameriprise and M&T Bank, and get firsthand information on services and support available. Entities such as the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and PGW will be on-site to provide resources, all in a bid to bolster local business community growth. A multitude, including the likes of PNC Bank, and The Enterprise Center have been listed as resource partners for the event. Those seeking further information or with specific inquiries are encouraged to reach out via email to Leslie.Acosta@phila.gov and Michelle.Price@phila.gov ahead of the summit.