The Enterprise Center
The Enterprise Center is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that provides business consulting, capital access, MBE certification, and procurement assistance to minority-owned and economically disadvantaged small businesses in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region through multiple specialized centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Enterprise Center does
The Enterprise Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1989 and headquartered at 4548 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization serves economically disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses across the Philadelphia metropolitan area and southern New Jersey, providing an integrated suite of services including business consulting, procurement assistance, MBE/DBE certification support, and capital access. Its primary customer segments are minority-owned businesses, food and culinary entrepreneurs, construction/trade contractors seeking bonding and certification, and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in West Philadelphia and Camden, NJ.
The organization's product portfolio spans multiple wholly-owned operating centers: The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) provides microloans and small business loans up to $500,000; the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises (CCE) operates a commercial kitchen incubator with direct institutional buyer access via an Aramark/Drexel University partnership; the PA and NJ MBDA Business Centers provide federally-designated MBE certification and market access; The Construction Center offers contractor certification and bonding education; and the Innovate Capital Growth Fund operates as an SBA-licensed SBIC providing growth equity. The MBE Equity Multiplier program provides structured coaching and pitch development. The Biz on Wheels mobile vehicle delivers curbside services across commercial corridors.
The Enterprise Center's business model is primarily grant- and donation-funded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supplemented by loan interest income from TEC-CC's lending portfolio and program services revenue from consulting and training. Distribution occurs through two physical offices (Philadelphia and Camden, NJ), mobile outreach, online application forms, and partner organization referrals. The organization is governed independently with no parent company and operates under President Della Clark, with funding sourced from financial institutions (Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase), federal agencies (SBA, USDOT), and corporate partners including Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, and Aramark.
The Enterprise Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Enterprise Center
- Legal name
- The Enterprise Center
- Website
- https://theenterprisecenter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Enterprise Center is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that provides business consulting, capital access, MBE certification, and procurement assistance to minority-owned and economically disadvantaged small businesses in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region through multiple specialized centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Enterprise Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Development Services
- NAICS
- Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)
- SIC
- Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI)
Keywords
Where The Enterprise Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Enterprise Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: The Enterprise Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from financial institutions (such as Wells Fargo's $250,000 HOPE 2.0 grant), government programs, and donations to support small business development in economically disadvantaged communities.
- Loan Interest Income: The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) provides small business loans up to $500,000, generating revenue through interest on these loans. Daniel Lee of Farina Pasta & Noodle received a $30,000 small business loan from TEC-CC.
- Program Services Revenue: Revenue generated from providing business services including consulting, procurement assistance, certification services, and training programs to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Small business loans up to $500,000 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Enterprise Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Enterprise Center provides business development services to minority-owned and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region. Its core offerings include small business lending through The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) up to $500,000, one-on-one consulting with finance/accounting/legal experts, M/W/DSBE certification support, procurement assistance for accessing government and corporate contracts, and specialized incubation through the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises and The Construction Center.
Product overview
The Enterprise Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving as a community development corporation and business incubator for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, primarily in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. The organization operates a multi-faceted platform comprising The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (providing microloans and small business loans up to $500,000), business consulting services, procurement assistance, MBE certification support, and several specialized centers including the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises (commercial kitchen incubator), The Construction Center, and MBDA Business Centers. Programs like the MBE Equity Multiplier and Biz on Wheels mobile services extend the organization's reach. The portfolio is unified by a mission to advance economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses through integrated capital access, technical assistance, and market connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) Lending
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,300 growing economically disadvantaged businesses impacted across Philadelphia
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Enterprise Center
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Enterprise Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Enterprise Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aramark/Drexel UniversitycoreCenter for Culinary Enterprises partnered with Aramark/Drexel University to hold product showcase tasting events for CCE members. Five vendors were selected to sell packaged consumer goods to Aramark/Drexel University retail locations, providing reliable weekly contracts for burgeoning food producers.
- Gilbane Rising Contractor ProgramcoreGilbane partnered with The Enterprise Center and US Department of Transportation Mid-Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center for the Bonding Education Program, an 8-week program helping contractors obtain bonding for construction projects.
- Walnut Hill Community AssociationcoreLong-standing partnership with Walnut Hill Community Association for community events including annual turkey giveaway, Juneteenth celebrations, and neighborhood revitalization efforts along 52nd Street corridor.
- Ben Franklin Technology PartnersminorListed as a partner organization providing technology and business development resources to clients of The Enterprise Center.
- Philadelphia's public-private Economic Development Corporation (PIDC)minorPartnership with PIDC for economic development initiatives supporting small businesses in Philadelphia.
- Economic Innovation GroupminorListed as a partner organization working with The Enterprise Center on economic development initiatives.
- Comcast and Independence Blue CrossminorThrough MBDA Business Center networks, clients like Alpha Business Solutions have connected with large Philadelphia-based companies including Comcast and Independence Blue Cross for business opportunities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Enterprise Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TruFund Financial Services: National CDFI providing loans and advisory services to minority-owned and underserved small businesses across multiple states. Directly comparable to TEC's TEC-CC lending arm and MBE-focused mission.
- LiftFund: Nonprofit small business lender and CDFI providing microloans and small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs, with comparable dual focus on capital access and technical assistance.
- Accion: Global nonprofit small business lender providing capital and advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs, including minority business owners. Closely mirrors TEC's integrated capital-plus-consulting model.
- DreamSpring: National CDFI providing loans and business support to entrepreneurs from underserved communities, with similar target customer profile and dual loan-plus-coaching offering.
- Justine PETERSEN: St. Louis-based CDFI providing small business lending, housing counseling, and credit-building services to low-moderate income entrepreneurs. Shares TEC's nonprofit CDFI structure and integrated services model.
- Grameen America: Nonprofit microfinance organization providing small-dollar loans and peer-support programs to underserved entrepreneurs, primarily women and minority business owners in the U.S.
- National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC): National trade association providing training, certification, and bonding support to minority construction contractors, directly comparable to TEC's Construction Center and Bonding Education Program with Gilbane.
Broad incumbents
- National Urban League: National civil rights and economic empowerment organization with local affiliates providing small business development, workforce training, and entrepreneurship services to minority communities. Broader portfolio than TEC but overlapping on minority economic empowerment.
Regional players
- Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): Philadelphia's public-private economic development corporation supporting small business growth, real estate development, and capital access in the same market as TEC. Listed as a TEC partner organization and operates overlapping programs.
Others
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): National corporate membership organization that certifies minority-owned businesses and connects them with corporate buyers. Adjacent to TEC's MBE certification services and procurement assistance work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Enterprise Center social profiles
Digital presenceThe Enterprise Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Enterprise Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Enterprise Center subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
The Enterprise Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Enterprise Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Enterprise Center
What does The Enterprise Center do?
The Enterprise Center provides business development services to minority-owned and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region. Its core offerings include small business lending through The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) up to $500,000, one-on-one consulting with finance/accounting/legal experts, M/W/DSBE certification support, procurement assistance for accessing government and corporate contracts, and specialized incubation through the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises and The Construction Center.
Is The Enterprise Center a public or private company?
The Enterprise Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Enterprise Center founded?
The Enterprise Center was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Enterprise Center based?
The Enterprise Center is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Enterprise Center make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are loan Interest Income and program Services Revenue.
Who are The Enterprise Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TruFund Financial Services, LiftFund, Accion, DreamSpring, Justine PETERSEN, Grameen America and National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). National Urban League is listed as a broad incumbent. Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) is listed as a regional player. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is listed as an others.
Does The Enterprise Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Enterprise Center.
What industry is The Enterprise Center in?
The Enterprise Center's product category is Small Business Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAJ, Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAK, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education. Its NAICS code is 551114 and its SIC code is 6153.