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3500 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104

+1 (215) 883 - 0109

la21info@la21philly.org

Recently Released!

LA21-CDC 2024 Annual Report

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New Cohort Starting April 2025!

PHL Start-up Program

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New Cohort Starting April 2025!

Scale Up Your Small Business Program

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Unlocking Business Potential and Growth Through Access to Capital.

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Read about LA21’s latest work.

Activity on the Ave: LA21 Impact Reports

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LA21-CDC & VERIZON PRESENT:

Verizon Small Business Ready Program

Find free courses, mentorship, networking and grants created just for small businesses.

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Business Training
Technical Assistance for Small Businesses
Community Development
Business Community

About Us

The Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Business Association CDC (LA21) was founded in 2008 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity organization founded in Philadelphia and specifically serves the West Philadelphia community on Lancaster Avenue from 34th to Lansdowne streets (over 20 city blocks), Market Street from 34th to 38th streets and the surrounding neighborhoods. We are located in a federally mandated “Promise Zone” serving communities in the Mantua section of West Philadelphia and University City. We are a CDC (Community Development Corporation) business association representing businesses and organizations along the Lancaster Avenue corridor, a rich cultural, historic, and business hub. We are also a Registered Community Organization (RCO) representing Lancaster Avenue. Serving as an RCO allows us to engage our community with all zoning, land use and community development on and around Lancaster Avenue
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Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the training, resources, and environment to help new and established businesses address the difficulties of starting, maintaining, and navigating the necessary changes needed to foster successful business growth and economic betterment of the Lancaster Avenue corridor and the city of Philadelphia.
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Resources for Small Business Owners

Visit our Resources page to view helpful information for local business owners, direct and technical assistance options,  learn about philadelphia laws regarding small businesses, and find financing opportunities.

 

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LA21 News

2024 Annual Report

by | April 30, 2025 | LA21 News, LA21 Reports & Publications | 0 Comments

Read the LA21-CDC 2024 Annual Report through the interactive reader below, or download a copy here....
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Why Small Business Owners Need the Truth About Car Buying: Key Takeaways from John Rice – The Inside Man

by | April 27, 2025 | Podcast | 0 Comments

Unlock insider secrets to smarter car buying with John Rice, the “Inside Man,” on Scale Up Your Business. Discover how to avoid dealership pitfalls, understand leasing vs. financing, navigate warranties, and save thousands on your next car purchase. Perfect for business owners and anyone ready to take control of the car buying process. Listen now and scale up your automotive decisions!

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How the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund Can Boost Your Business

by | April 1, 2025 | Podcast | 0 Comments

Discover the Philadelphia Catalyst Grant! Learn how small businesses can access funding, support, and resources with expert advice from Leslie Acosta. Listen now!

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Silver Lining in Small Business

by | November 6, 2024 | Podcast | 0 Comments

Reframing Success with Silver Lining SLAP Methodology: A Beacon for Small Business Owners In the latest episode of the "Scale Up Your Business" podcast, titled “Silver Lining,” host Zakia Ringgold sits down with Carissa Reiniger, the inspiring CEO of Silver Lining, to...
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Impact Report: LA21-CDC launches PHL-PAC

Impact Report: LA21-CDC launches PHL-PAC

by | Nov 20, 2023 |

On Friday, November 19th, 2023, during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), LA21-CDC launched the PHL-PAC (Philly Providing Access to Capital) event. The program aims to assist underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners in becoming capital-ready by providing...

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