CONTACT

➤ LOCATION

4701 Germantown Avenue, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19144

☎ CONTACT

jumpstart@phillyofficeretail.com
(215) 247-5555 ext. 219

 WHO WE ARE

Jumpstart Germantown, a unique community development program, spearheaded by Philly Office Retail, works to revitalize the Germantown section of Philadelphia, and surrounding communities through training, mentoring, networking and providing financial resources to local aspiring developers. Jumpstart uses a collaborative approach to real estate development, emphasizing the sharing of resources and information, because we can do more together than we can do alone.

WHAT WE DO

Jumpstart:

• creates opportunities for local residents to invest and develop in their neighborhoods

• builds wealth locally

• supports scattered-site rehabilitation (as opposed to urban renewal)

• encourages a healthy mix of affordable and market-rate housing

• improves neighborhood safety and raises property values through blight reduction

• helps first-time investors become more attractive to traditional lenders

• promotes diversity, changing the face of real estate development 

We are seeking experienced or aspiring developers who are community minded and share our interest in the future of Germantown, and its adjacent communities.  Jumpstarters should be committed to blight removal, creating more quality, affordable housing, and making Germantown a better place to live, work and enjoy.

 JUMPSTART GERMANTOWN INITIATIVES

1) TRAINING PROGRAM

The Training Program consists of 16 hours of instruction using our comprehensive Jumpstart curriculum and PowerPoint Presentation. In the program, you’ll learn about the 7 JumpSteps of real estate development and visit a local construction site. You can download the Training Workbook.

Interested applicants must have a commitment to revitalizing Germantown. The focus of Jumpstart Germantown is not only financial gain for the participant. Jumpstart Germantown is devoted to changing Germantown for the better and we ask that only candidates with a similar mission apply.

There is a $125 participation fee, at least $80 of which will be donated to a local non-profit. You don’t need to pay the $125, however, until you accept an invitation to attend.

If you prefer to learn at your own pace from the comforts of your home or office, we now offer access to recordings of the full 16-hour Jumpstart Germantown Training Program, for a reduced fee of $75. Access to the recordings will be provided via YouTube for a limited one-month period. Please EMAIL if you are interested in purchasing access to the recordings, and we will send more details. Please note those with video access will not have the opportunity to be paired with a Jumpstart mentor or receive a discounted interest rate on our loans.

The Training Program introduces less experienced developers (with 0 - 5 previous renovation projects) to the basics of real estate development, including property sourcing, due diligence, financing, design and construction, and leasing and selling. Upon graduation, participants are paired with an experienced mentor to guide them through their next development projects.

Our next program will be taking place in Winter 2025. The dates/times are not yet confirmed, and the application is not yet open.

If you would like to be notified when the next program is announced, please complete our “Contact Us” form and we will be in touch!

“JUMP”INARS

Join us online for our mini-training sessions, on topics ranging from Title Insurance to Construction Budgeting and Staging to Permitting.  It's real estate development education à la carte!  The sessions are 1 hour long and open to anyone.  Each session will be led by industry professionals and include time for networking.

Once scheduled, all JUMPinars will be listed on our Jumpstart events page. Click on the calendar link to view the schedule and register online. 

You can also view all past JUMPinar recordings (podcasts and videos) at our Media page! New episodes are posted here as they are released.

 2) DEVELOPERS’ NETWORK

The Developers’ Network creates opportunities to make connections and build mutually beneficial relationships. Through networking events and social media, like-minded developers, industry leaders and neighborhood stakeholders connect, share resources, and learn from one another.

Jumpstart Germantown hosts 1-2 Developers’ Network events annually.  At each event, participants hear from informative speakers or panelists, have plenty of time to network and enjoy a complimentary dinner, courtesy of a Network sponsor. By joining, you’ll receive email invites to all Developers’ Network events.

Between Network events, local developers and others communicate via Jumpstart Germantown’s Facebook Page, providing an ongoing dialogue of helpful ideas and suggestions. You can make recommendations, request referrals, and share resources.

 3) LOAN PROGRAM

The Jumpstart Germantown Loan program offers financing for the acquisition and renovation of residential properties in Germantown and its adjacent neighborhoods.  The Loan Program is available to both experienced and novice developers but first-time developers are encouraged to participate in the Training Program.

The Jumpstart loan process mimics a bank loan process to help prepare aspiring developers for future funding from traditional banking institutions. Jumpstart requires loan applicants to complete an online application and attach a pro forma, comps and construction budget.

Jumpstart is more than a bank, however.  We are a non-traditional, mission driven lender that can move quickly to help you compete in a competitive real estate market and guide you along the way.   

Visit www.JumpstartPhilly.com for details on our Loan programs and the application process.