Chambers of Commerce
Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce
www.thequietresorts.com
This chamber promotes businesses
in what is collectively known as
“The Quiet Resorts.”
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
www.cdcc.net
The chamber’s purpose is to advance economic development by promoting the civic, industrial, commercial, agribusiness and social interests of the community. Its mission also includes enhancing the freedom of private business to operate competitively and with minimal regulation.
Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford
www.milfordchamber.com
The chamber supports the economic development of the Greater Milford area.
Delaware Small Business Chamber of Commerce
www.dsbchamber.com
The chamber supports small businesses — those with 100 or fewer employees — throughout the state and in surrounding communities.
Delaware StateChamber of Commerce
www.dscc.com
The state’s chamber helps businesses of all sizes in Delaware achieve success through a variety of educational programs and business services, including legislative advocacy, communications and publications, small-business benefits and services, and networking events.
Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce
www.delmar-chamberofcommerce.com
The chamber represents businesses in and around this Sussex County town.
Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce
www.georgetowncoc.com
The chamber represents businesses and organizes events in and around historic Georgetown.
Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau
www.leweschamber.com
The chamber promotes businesses and tourism in the area where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet.
Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce
www.maccde.com
The chamber is dedicated to the economic development of the Southern New Castle County area, providing advocacy, leadership and networking to the business community.
Milton Chamber of Commerce
www.historicmilton.com
The chamber promotes businesses in and around historic Milton, birthplace of five governors.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
www.ncccc.com
The chamber creates business-development opportunities for members and advocates for a strong economy throughout the county.
Rehoboth-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce
www.beach-fun.com
The chamber promotes business and tourism in these lively, scenic resorts.
Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce
www.westernsussexcoc.com
Located in Seaford, the chamber serves as the voice of the Western Sussex County businesses.
Industry Groups
American Chemical Society (ACS) – Delaware Section
www.delawareacs.org
ACS is an industry membership organization and a leading source of scientific information. Programs such as Project SEED and the ACS Scholars Program help provide an entry point into the chemical sciences for high-school students and undergraduates.
Chemical Industry Council of Delaware
www.delawarechemistry.com
This membership organization for companies that manufacture chemicals and petrochemicals advocates on behalf of the industry in Dover and beyond.
Delaware Bankers Association
www.debankers.com
A trade association offering professional development for members of the banking industry.
Delaware BioScience Association
www.delawarebio.org
The association’s mission is to catalyze the growth of Delaware’s bioscience industry. To that end, it facilitates connections, puts on events, helps members get better purchasing deals, and advocates at the state and federal levels.
Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI)
www.dbi.udel.edu
DBI supports research and development in the life sciences at all of Delaware’s research organizations, including universities and health systems.
Delaware Electric Cooperative
www.delaware.coop
Founded by farmers in the 1930s to bring electrical infrastructure to rural areas of Delaware, the co-op is today known for its energy savings programs.
Delaware Farm Bureau
www.defb.org
Promotes Delaware agriculture through education and advocacy.
Delaware Healthcare Association
www.deha.org
Delaware’s state-wide trade and membership organization for hospitals.
Delaware Manufacturing Association (DMA)
www.dscc.com/dma.html
DMA, an affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, serves as an advocate for manufacturers at the state and local level.
Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP)
www.demep.org
DEMEP helps Delaware manufacturers stay competitive in a changing global marketplace by providing resources that enable them to acquire and apply technologies, utilize new resources, reduce waste, streamline processes and drive sales growth.
Delaware Municipal Electric Corp. (DEMEC)
www.demecinc.net
DEMEC represents nine municipal electric distribution utilities and has invested significantly in renewable energy.
Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (DESCA)
www.desustainablechem.org
DESCA promotes sustainable and innovative technologies by helping entrepreneurs in the chemical, material, agriscience and industrial biology sectors move their ideas from concept to commercialization.
Delaware Sustainable EnergyUtility (DESEU)
www.energizedelaware.org
DESEU’s Energize Delaware initiative helps homeowners, businesses and government entities fund and implement energy improvements.
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
www.dpichicken.org
An 1,800-member trade association advocating for the poultry industry in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia.
First State Fintech Lab
www.firststatefintech.org
The organization’s primary mission is to establish Delaware as a national leader in the fintech industry by nurturing the industry’s growing ecosystem.
Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware
delawarefruitvegetable.wordpress.com
A non-profit organization working to encourage improvement in the production and marketing of fruit and vegetable products in Delaware.
Medical Society of Delaware
www.medicalsocietyofdelaware.org
The Medical Society advocates on behalf of physician members across the state.
The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL)
niimbl.force.com
NIIMBL’s mission is to advance biopharmaceutical manufacturing and develop a highly skilled workforce for the industry.
Produce Marketing Association
www.pma.com
A trade organization representing companies in the fresh-produce and floral supply chain.
Society of Financial Service Professionals – Delaware Chapter
www.sfspde.org
Dedicated to building a robust network of financial professionals throughout the state.
Tech Forum of Delaware
www.techforumde.org
The Tech Forum’s goal is to help entrepreneurs identify business opportunities and build profitable relationships around the region. This mission is supported with monthly programming, alternating between educational seminars and professional networking.
Networking Groups
The Committee of 100
www.committeeof100.com
This non-profit association of Delaware business leaders works together to promote responsible economic development. Members can attend networking events and serve on committees that correspond to their industry or interests.
Delaware Business Roundtable
www.dbrt.org
The roundtable is a volunteer organization of CEOs who collectively employ more than 75,000 Delawareans. It promotes commerce, job creation and select public policy issues.
Inspiring Women in STEM
www.inspiringwomeninstem.com
Inspiring Women in STEM was created to deliver high-quality professional-development programming and conferences. Its mission is to encourage, support and inspire female scientists, engineers and other STEM professionals.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCORPORATION AND PATENT EXPERTS
Delaware’s deep landscape of experts in intellectual property, trademarks, patents, incorporation and other corporate services makes it a destination for companies of all sizes, as well as researchers working to bring their innovations to market.
Corporate Service Providers
CSC
www.cscglobal.com
CSC helps businesses with a range of compliance needs, including business licensing and trademark registration.
Harvard Business Services
www.delawareinc.com
Harvard Business Services has been helping companies incorporate in Delaware for more than 30 years, assisting more than 150,000 corporations and LLCs during this time.
IncNow
www.incnow.com
Run by two licensed Delaware attorneys, IncNow has helped entrepreneurs, startups, law firms, incubators and businesses get started for more than 40 years.
IP Group
www.ipgroupplc.com
An IP commercialization company focused on evolving the best ideas, mainly from partner universities, into innovative businesses.
University of Delaware Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships
www.oeip.udel.edu
The office’s mission is to guide entrepreneurs from ideas to the marketplace, facilitating patent applications and other steps in setting up a business.
Worldwide Incorporators
www.worldwideincorporators.com
Worldwide helps businesses navigate all aspects of incorporation, including filing a Certificate of Authority or forming an LLC in any of the 50 states.
Law Firms
Bayard, P.A.
www.bayardlaw.com
A commercial law firm that also provides personal legal services. Areas of expertise include the customs and procedures of Delaware’s state and federal courts, and Delaware’s commercial business entity law.
DLA Piper LLP
www.dlapiper.com
DLA Piper’s attorneys provide both strategic and litigation-related IP advice to clients ranging from emerging technology and pharmaceutical companies to established banks and financial institutions.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
www.drinkerbiddle.com
Drinker Biddle’s IP practice assists clients with branding and trademarks, copyrights, due diligence, IT and outsourcing, IP litigation, patents, and technology transactions and licensing.
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC
www.eckertseamans.com
Attorneys at Eckert Seamans have experience assisting clients with patents in chemical, electrical, mechanical, medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, computer and metallurgical fields.
McCarter & English LLP
www.mccarter.com
McCarter & English attorneys help clients prepare IP applications and portfolios, preserve corporate brands, and protect software patents and trade secrets.
Morris James
www.morrisjames.com
Morris James is an established leader in the arena of IP strategy, management, enforcement and defense, having represented Fortune 500 companies across the nation.
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
www.mnat.com
The firm’s IP Litigation Group specializes in complex disputes involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition and antitrust issues.
Potter Anderson Corroon LLP
www.potteranderson.com
The oldest law firm in Delaware, and one of the largest. Specializing in corporate litigation, corporate counseling, M&A, IP, employment and bankruptcy.
Richards, Layton & Finger
www.rlf.com
In 2018 alone, Delaware’s largest law firm acted as Delaware counsel on 44 M&A transactions valued at $100 million or more. IP and other corporate litigation is also a specialty.
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
www.saul.com
Saul Ewing attorneys counsel clients on protecting and managing their IP assets, conduct post-grant procedures, and perform due diligence, infringement and invalidity studies. They also help companies analyze their patent portfolios, evaluate competitive products and develop design-around alternatives.
Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP
www.youngconaway.com
Young Conaway has helped shape legislative and case law in Delaware for half a century. In addition to appearing before Delaware’s state and federal courts, its attorneys actively participate in issues before the Delaware legislature.
FINANCING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Whether you’re hoping to invest in Delaware, start a business or grow an existing business in the state, Delaware’s solid network of funders and economic-development organizations can help.
Delaware.money
www.delaware.money
This site aggregates information about the wealth of financial resources available in Delaware, allowing users to search for the agency that best fits their financing needs.
Delaware Crossing Investor Group
www.delawarecrossing.org
A network of former and current executives and entrepreneurs who back companies with investment capital and provide guidance to entrepreneurs in the greater Philadelphia area.
Delaware Department of State, Division of Small Business
business.delaware.gov
The state’s business-development arm connects small businesses and entrepreneurs with resources to help them start, grow and succeed. It also works to attract new businesses to Delaware and help them get established here.
Delaware Prosperity Partnership
www.deprosperitypartnership.com
This public-private partnership leads economic-development efforts for the state, tapping into private-sector expertise along with state resources.
Delaware PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistant Center)
www.delawareptac.org
PTAC connects businesses with the information and resources they need to navigate the complex government-contracting process. Its services are provided at little or no charge.
Downtown Delaware
www.delawaremainstreet.com
Downtown Delaware is part of the Delaware Division of Small Business and a Main Street America Coordinating Program. It focuses on helping businesses take advantage of opportunities for revitalization and development in Delaware’s towns and cities.
Export Delaware
export.delaware.gov
Export Delaware provides First State companies with the resources they need to expand into overseas markets. That includes organizing overseas trips to meet potential customers.
First State Innovation
www.firststateinnovation.org
First State Innovation focuses on increasing Delaware’s entrepreneurial capacity by helping tech-based and early-stage businesses find seed capital, alternative funding, skilled staff and other resources.
Grow Delaware Fund
www.growdelawarefund.org
This consortium of private, public and nonprofit organizations provides small and medium-sized businesses with access to favorable financing terms.
Kent Economic Partnership
www.kentpartnership.org
The partnership works to attract new businesses to the area, while ensuring that established companies continue to thrive.
New Castle County Office of Economic Development
www.nccde.org/756/economic-development
The office’s main priority is to help new, developing and existing businesses grow and contribute to the local economy. That includes helping local and national companies navigate government regulations and the permitting process.
SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
www.delawaresbdc.org
The Delaware SBDC is part of the University of Delaware’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships. Both organizations are guided by a mission to develop the university and state’s entrepreneurial, technology and business community.
SCORE Delaware
delaware.score.org
SCORE provides free, confidential, face-to-face interactions with certified business mentors.
Seedcopa + SeedcoDE
www.seedcopa.com
Supported by federal, state and local agencies, Seedcopa + SeedcoDE’s loan programs help businesses in Pennsylvania and Delaware grow and create jobs. Possible benefits include a long-term, below-market fixed interest rate and less money out
of pocket.
Sussex County Economic Development
www.excitesussex.com
This agency is dedicated to advancing business in 25 Sussex towns, including the renowned beach resorts.
Sussex Economic Development Action Committee (SEDAC)
www.sedac-de.org
Located within eight hours of a third of the eastern U.S. population, Sussex County offers an array of opportunities for businesses. SEDAC is committed to helping businesses get established, expand and continue to thrive.
U.S. Small Business Administration – Delaware District Office
www.sba.gov/offices/district/de/wilmington
All the resources of the SBA — including loans and grants — are at your fingertips, located in the heart of Wilmington.
University of Delaware Office of Economic Innovation & Partnerships
www.oeip.udel.edu
The office’s mission is to guide entrepreneurs from ideas to the marketplace, facilitating patent applications and other steps in setting up a business.
Wilmington Economic Development Corporation/Delaware Community
Development Corporation
www.wedco.org
These organizations provide financing for growth and expansion to businesses in Wilmington and all of Delaware, respectively.
Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC)
www.bigideaswilmington.com
WRC’s mission is to increase the economic vitality of downtown Wilmington, for example by assisting businesses and individuals planning to invest in the area.
World Trade Center Delaware
www.wtcde.com
The Delaware branch of the World Trade Centers Association is a nonprofit that helps Delaware companies succeed in the global marketplace in every sector — from agriculture to tech to defense.
CO-WORKING SPACES, INCUBATORS, ACCELERATORS
Companies just starting out in Delaware, or established employers looking for flexible, temporary space, have plenty of options to choose from.
1313 Innovation
www.1313innovation.com
More than 10,000 square feet of co-working space, including shared space, dedicated desks, private offices and conference space. Tenants benefit from 24/7 access, networking events, workshops and other educational opportunities.
Artist Ave Station
www.artistavestation.com
Co-working space with personal desks and conference table on the first floor, with an artist makerspace in the basement. Personal desks and a conference table can make way for art showings and other events. A basement entrance allows easy transport of art and materials.
Barrel of Makers
www.facebook.com/barrelofmakers
Community-center makerspace for different skills and ages, offering woodworking, electronics, robotics, computer programming, 3D printing and design, glass etching and welding.
Delaware Innovation Space
www.deinnovates.org
Offers 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art, multi-use lab space, plus 155 private and shared offices. Also offers mentoring by field experts, funding assistance, grant application support, networking, and marketing guidance.
Delaware Technology Park (DTP)
www.deltechpark.org
DTP offers affordable office and lab space at its original campus and at UD’s STAR Campus (DTP@STAR).
Delawork
www.delawork.com
Milton-based co-working space for entrepreneurs, freelancers and professionals. Amenities include high-speed internet and an online networking community.
Emerging Enterprise Center
www.eecincubator.com
More than 5,000 square feet of co-working and meeting space. Tenants benefit from business-
plan assistance, business-growth training, one-on-one mentoring and networking.
The Hub @ 1201
www.stat.international/office-solutions/the-hub-at-1201
Co-working space with shared, dedicated and private office space. Classes on various topics, as well as networking opportunities and mentorship.
Kent County Emerging Enterprise Development Center
www.kentpartnership.org
Co-working space with shared, dedicated and private office space. Tenants receive mentorship, plus help with business plans and skills, and have networking opportunities.
Middletown Business Incubator & Collaborative Workspace
www.mbide.com
A 3,300-square-foot facility that can accommodate 10 to 15 businesses in meeting and retail space, storage
and offices. Offers mentorship, business-plan development, capital assistance and networking opportunities.
The Mill
www.themillspace.com
Shared, dedicated and private office space is available, along with conference and event space, including a 225-person theater. Guest speakers and networking events add to the offerings.
NextFab
www.nextfab.com
Offers access to 2D and 3D printers, design software, a laser cutter, digital circuitry tools and a woodworking shop, alongside offices, studios and communal space. Tenants benefit from a 12-week accelerator program or nine-month incubator program, business coaching, networking and funding opportunities.
Start It Up Delaware
www.startitupde.org
Co-working space with shared, dedicated and private office space. Provides classes, networking opportunities and mentorship.
