Startup Business Support: Transformation Business Services Network

Startup funding alone isn’t enough. Transformation Business Services Network helps fill in the knowledge gaps faced by some of our early-stage entrepreneurs –

By providing expertise in marketing, human resources, accounting, strategic planning and advertising to promising companies in the region—at no cost—TBSN is now considered one of Pennsylvania’s most effective business development programs. BFTP/CNP started the program about 10 years ago to assist early-stage companies in its 32-county footprint in areas such as:

  • Market research
  • Feasibility studies
  • Hiring strategies
  • Pricing
  • Test marketing
  • Accounting systems
  • Analysis of marketplace trends
  • And much more

The program’s four field officers have a portfolio of about 12 companies each and spend 75 percent of their time directly with the companies. TBSN follows a diagnosis-prescription/intervention model. The team works with each company to understand the problems and opportunities, then comes up with a near-term prescription for action and improvement.