Philly Startup Leaders began in September of 2007 when a small, loosely-knit community of Philadelphia entrepreneurs decided to meet up on a regular basis to help each other.

GROWING THE PHILADELPHIA startup COMMUNITY 

For founders by founders

After a venture funding conference, a small group of founders met in September 2007 in the back room of Ten Stone on South Street to compare notes.

They quickly discovered that nobody had access to all of the resources founders needed in Philadelphia. But they realized that together, they could help each other succeed and return Philadelphia to its place as a hub of innovation.

After all, this is the place that created ENIAC (the first general-purpose computer) and Safeguard Scientifics (the innovator in venture capital funding).

Philly Startup Leaders officially formed in February 2008. Within four months, we grew to 150 members. 

We quickly became more than a place for just sharing resources. We became the source for helping founders grow personally and professionally. And we became the resource that brought the Philly founder community together through our events.

We tackled founders’ most significant problems: 

• Difficulty finding funding

• Difficulty finding mentors

• Difficulty finding support and resources

• Difficulty finding affordable talent.

Today, we’ve moved beyond our roots as just volunteers. And we are now a nonprofit with a full staff and over 13,000 members,

But our mission remains the same: connecting you to the right people and resources so you can start, grow, and succeed in Philadelphia. 

Together, we can create equitable economic growth in our city. 

And return Philadelphia to its status as a beacon of innovation.

OUr Mission

Leadership