Growth Strategies

There are many ways to grow your business. Planning for the future can ensure sustainability and success. As your businesses steps out of idea & into operation, here are some opportunities for strategic growth.

Do an impact analysis.

ASSETS Measure What Matters helps existing businesses learn to measure & improve on their social & environmental performance.

Network & get feedback.

Some of the best growth strategies & feedback can come from one-on-one professional & peer-to-peer conversations. Catamaran’s Consultation Sessions & SCORE’s Advisory Board provide professional one time feedback for existing businesses. SCORE’s Small Business Roundtables, the Lancaster City Alliance Merchant Committee, and Lancaster Chamber’s Get Connected! all provide opportunities to find and network with peers.

Join an Accelerator.

Accelerators are programs that help existing businesses refine their products & business plans with an eye on rapid growth. ASSETS Women's Business Accelerator is a 12-month program for women business owners to improve their personal and business management skills and impact. Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator gives professional guidance to early-stage tech-related businesses. The Catamaran Accelerator is a three-month rapid product development business accelerator program designed to support startups with emerging technology solutions. If you need more options, check out this extended list of accelerators & incubators.

1-on-1 help.

Lancaster Chamber, Duke Street Business Center, Kutztown SBDC, Lancaster City Alliance & SCORE all provide one-on-one help for businesses. Lancaster Chamber provides programs, training & events that help individuals connect & businesses grow. Duke Street Business Center is available to answer specific data-centered questions. Kutztown SBDC has in-house expertise & works one-on-one with businesses on forecasting & financing. Lancaster City Alliance acts as a business concierge service by connecting business leaders with the right resources. SCORE’s mentors are well-versed in growth strategies for businesses of all types.

Who Can Help

Featured

ASSETS is a non-profit focused on transforming communities through business. We offer in-depth training and financing for entrepreneurs, and work with established businesses to improve their social and environmental impact.

For more than 31 years, Ben Franklin Technology Partners has provided both early-stage & established companies with funding, business & technical expertise & access to a network of innovative, expert resources.

By joining together founders & expert practitioners, Catamaran believes startups have an even greater chance of success with the mentorship, network connections & access to pilot programs.

The Duke Street Business Center at Lancaster Public Library (DSBC) is a one-stop source for authoritative & up-to-date business & nonprofit information.

Innovation Partnership (IPart) is dedicated to helping early-stage technology companies in Pennsylvania win federal funding opportunities to commercialize their innovations.

Kutztown Small Business Development Center (SBDC) seeks to provide entrepreneurs & small business owners with the knowledge needed to make smart decisions and prosper.

The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of professional development programs & networking events that bring the entire business community together to connect & accelerate the exchange of ideas, opportunities & solutions to help Lancaster prosper.

The Lancaster City Alliance is dedicated to improving the City’s financial stability, public safety & quality of life.

The PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s mission is to encourage the shared prosperity of all Pennsylvanians by supporting good stewardship & sustainable development initiatives across the commonwealth.

SCORE Lancaster-Lebanon offers free individual, confidential mentoring services & workshops whether you have a single question or need help designing & executing a comprehensive business strategy.