We’ve heard before that Philly as a whole isn’t offering enough resources to entrepreneurs of color, with many industry folks specifically mentioning a need to reduce “barriers to entry.”

So earlier this year, in addition to the entrance of other resource-focused programs such as University City Science Center’s Launch Lane accelerator and The Enterprise Center’s Opportunity Funds, it seemed like a step forward when the City of Philadelphia granted $150,000 to Philly Startup Leaders (PSL) to be shared among entrepreneurs in PSL’s Founded in Philly accelerator program. The accelerator was the org’s first cohort of 20 idea-stage founders, and participants were able to apply for the grants to help fund the first stages of their business.

But as COVID-19 effectively wrecked the 2021 City budget — and the Department of Commerce, which funneled the money, is proposed to see its funding reduced — it’s unclear if funding like that will be available again any time soon.

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