Ignite Erie™ officially kicked off in November 2013 when ECGRA and 26 leading agencies and businesses brought together more than 350 entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, subject-matter experts, and elected officials to discuss the future of inner-city investment and innovation-based economic development.

In late 2014, ECGRA rolled out phase two by committing $6 million over three years to small business development. The goals? To create jobs, renew inner-city neighborhoods, inspire partnerships that serve entrepreneurs, leverage private investments, and ignite Erie’s entrepreneurial spirit. ECGRA made key Ignite Erie investments in early 2015. Learn More Here.

 Funding and Know-How to Propel Business Forward
 Investing in Inner-city Markets that Help Sustain the Region
 University Collaborations for Accelerating Business Growth
 About Ignite Erie

 

                                                                                     
Ignite Erie Success Stories
 


WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

If you have an idea, Ignite Erie partners can help you get networked, get training, get funded, and get to market.

A $6 million initiative launched in 2014 by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority in conjunction with Erie’s most renowned business owners, educators, subject matter experts, thinkers, and investors, Ignite Erie spurs inner-city small business development; fosters industry + university collaborations for business acceleration; and offers a broader spectrum of financing products for starting, growing, and reinventing small business.

GET FUNDED
We're investing in key growth areas, including minority-owned
inner-city, advanced manufacturing, and tech-based businesses.
Bridgeway Capital
The Progress Fund
Ben Franklin Technology Partners
 
PennVenture Partners
Urban Erie Community Development Corporation
1855 Capital
 
    Blue Highway Capital
    
GET TO MARKET
We specialize in equipping and networking
leaders in all areas of business.
Penn State The Behrend College
Mercyhurst University
Edinboro University
 
Gannon University
Erie Technology Incubator at Gannon University
QuickStarter
 
QuickStarter
QuickStarter
 
 An impact investing organization, ECGRA's mission is to empower the nonprofit sector, municipal governments, and econmic development agencies to revitalize Erie County.  ECGRA is endowed with local share gaming revenue from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via the Horse Race Gaming Act.  Local share gaming revenue is an assessment of the licensed gambling industry in Pennsylvania.