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Starting a Business in Lancaster County

Starting a new business in Lancaster County? While every business is different, the process for starting a business is fairly similar. Cultivate is here to help you find the right information and resources that your new business needs to get off of the ground. From commonly asked questions to how to navigate local business resources, check out all of the great resources available to help your business idea become a reality.

Where to Start and Who Can Help?

This is a map of steps to starting a business and the local organizations who can help you at each step. Follow the arrows to see what you need and the order you should be following as you develop your startup. If you do not yet have a business plan or fully developed product, then start with Business Basics. If you have Business Basics covered, then move ahead to the step you are working on.

Startup Basic

Startup Basics & Product Development

Start with a business plan that is rooted in market research and a well developed product or service

ASSETS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE, York LaunchBox

Marketing

Marketing

Create a marketing plan and strategy to let customers know what you do

ASSETS, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library – Business & Reference Center, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE

Legal

Legal

Determine your legal status, necessary licenses, and credentials

Community First Fund, Lancaster Public Library – Business & Reference Center, Lancaster Bar Association, Lancaster City, SCORE

Accounting, Bookkeeping & Taxes

Accounting, Bookkeeping & Taxes

Get your finances in order and figure out how to track business cashflow. Once you are in business, keep up with what you need to know.

ASSETS, Community First Fund, Cultivate Lancaster, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE

Networking

Networking

Meet potential customers and people in your industry.

ASSETS, Candy Factory, Lancaster Chamber, Cultivate Lancaster, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE

Human Resources & Hiring

Human Resources & Hiring

Prepare to hire, setup employee benefits and training

Central Penn Business Group on Health, SCORE, CareerLink, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library – Business & Reference Center, Lancaster Bar Association, Lancaster Works, Lancaster Society of HR Management

Loans & Funding

Loans & Funding

Get advice as well as traditional and non-traditional funding

ASSETS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Community First Fund, Lancaster Economic Development Corp, Lancaster City Alliance

Growth Strategies

Growth Strategies

Out of idea phase and onto the future

ASSETS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library – Business & Reference Center, Kutztown University SBDC, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE

Common Startup Needs.

Need specific guidance or support, such as getting a referral, one-on-one help, or business research? Below are common needs for small businesses and the organization who specialize in providing support in each area.

Refine your Idea ASSETS Ben Franklin Technology Partners, SCORE, York LaunchBox
1-on-1 Help Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Kutztown University SBDC, York LaunchBox, SCORE
Research Competitors SCORE, Lancaster City Alliance, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Lancaster Chamber, Kutztown University SBDC
Take a Business Class ASSETS, Candy Factory, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE
Connect with Other Businesses ASSETS, Candy Factory, Lancaster Chamber, SCORE
Join an Incubator ASSETS
Contact a trade associate Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE
Get a Referral for a Lawyer Community First Fund, Lancaster Bar Association, SCORE
Register Your Business Penn State Law, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Lancaster City
Take an Accounting or Tax Class ASSETS, Cultivate Lancaster, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE
1-on-1 Help ASSETS, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE
Research, Guides & Templates Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, SCORE
Get a Referral for a Pro ASSETS, Community First Fund,Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE
1-on-1 Help ASSETS, SCORE
Take a Marketing Class ASSETS, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Kutztown University SBDC, SCORE
Market Research & Templates Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center
Make a Marketing Plan ASSETS, Kutztown University SBDC
Market to Local Businesses Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster City Alliance
Get Your Financial Information Ready ASSETS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, SCORE, Kutztown University SBDC
Microloans (Less than $50,000) ASSETS, Community First Fund
Tax Credits Community First Fund, Lancaster City Alliance, Lancaster Economic Development Corp, PennTAP
Business Loans (2+ Years in Business) ASSETS, Community First Fund
Next Level Financing ASSETS, Community First Fund, Lancaster Economic Development Corp
Take an HR Class Central Penn Business Group on Health, Lancaster Society of HR Management
Research Benefits & Trends Central Penn Business Group on Health, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, SCORE
Get a Referral For a Pro Lancaster Society of HR Management, Lancaster Bar Association
Research Competitors Offers Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center
Post Jobs CareerLink, Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Works
Train New Hires CareerLink
Technology Idea Development Ben Franklin Technology Partners, York LaunchBox
Funding & Launch Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Networking Events ASSETS, Candy Factory, Lancaster Chamber, Cultivate Lancaster, Lancaster City Alliance
Contact a Trade Association Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE
Do an Impact Analysis ASSETS
Join an Accelerator ASSETS, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Network & Get Feedback Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster City Alliance, SCORE
1-on-1 Help Lancaster Chamber, Lancaster Public Library Business & Reference Center, Kutztown University SBDC, Lancaster City Alliance

How to Fund Your New Business

Do you need funding for your new business? Many traditional banks do not provide funding to new businesses, however, there are several local organizations who may be an option. Before meeting with a funder or local organization about financing, you will need to have your business information ready for them to review. Below is a list of commonly requested documentation from lenders. Most of this documentation should have been created or identified in your business formation process. If you do not have the information on hand, then you may not yet be ready to seek funding.

You can find out more about Funding options here

New Business Checklist for Funding
Three years of personal tax returns with all pages and schedules
Two pay periods of pay stubs if you are a W2 employee and plan to keep the job
Three months of personal and business bank statements
Valid Driver's License for all borrowers
Real estate Sales agreement - 90-day due diligence period recommended - if applicable
Sales agreement - Trucks, small vehicles or heavy equipment
Equipment invoice for small or large pieces of equipment, FF&E
Incorporation documentation, such as registration and by-laws or operating agreement
EIN #
Invoice and estimate from contractors for leasehold improvements or renovations - if applicable
Business plan - needed for businesses under one year old
Projections with assumptions - needed for businesses under one year old
Personal Financial Statement - form will be provided by lender
Credit Report - lender will pull your credit report
If client is purchasing an existing business:
Three years of business tax returns
Sales Agreement
Professional Business valuation may be needed if over 250K

A Valuable Resource

Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been an incredibly valuable resource for CPNET as we have continued to grow in 2022. The organization's team of experts has been instrumental in providing support in various areas, including human resources, operations, and finance. In addition to the support they provide, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners staff have been active collaborators in helping us achieve our vision of bringing advanced manufacturing analytics to more manufacturing companies. They have actively provided advice and resources to help us develop our products and services and understand the needs of our target market. Their experience and expertise have been invaluable in guiding us toward success. Overall, Ben Franklin Technology Partners has played a critical role in the growth and success of CPNET, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them.

Bicheng Chen, CEO & Co-Founder, CPNET.io

Lancaster City Alliance has been a valuable…

Lancaster City Alliance has been a valuable resource for our business in multiple ways. They have a network of helpful connections for all sorts of business needs. They foster a community of like-minded entrepreneurs in the city. And by administering the KIZ tax credit program, they have helped us accelerate hiring and grow our team. We appreciate all they do for our business and for the Downtown Lancaster business community!

Andrew Garman, , Pipedream