The Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) for Energy-Efficient Buildings is a U.S. DOE Energy Innovation Hub led by Penn State University. Located at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, the goals of the GPIC are to improve energy efficiency and operability and reduce carbon emissions of new and existing buildings, and to stimulate private investment and quality job creation in the Greater Philadelphia region, the larger Mid Atlantic region, and beyond. The GPIC will focus on full spectrum retrofit of existing average size commercial and multi-family residential buildings.

Funded by both the SBA and DOE, the Wharton SBDC contributes to two GPIC metrics: (1) regional transformation through industry cluster development for energy efficient buildings and (2) economic development measured by new jobs created or maintained.

The SBDC provides business analysis, research, advice, education, and networking resources for:

• Commercializing and deploying GPIC-related technologies for energy efficient buildings to transform the regional building industry cluster
• Financing, deploying, and leveraging energy efficient building technologies to further the creation and growth of jobs and small businesses throughout the region
• Engaging, educating, energizing the regional building industry cluster on energy efficiency, including nurturing the GPIC Innovation Network

The Technology, Clean Tech, and Environmental programs of the Pennsylvania SBDC network and NJ Small Business Development Center at Rutgers University, Camden are important contributors to the GPIC in creating jobs and to promoting energy efficient building technology throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

Wharton SBDC is hiring a GPIC Program Director. Please see the job description for full details.

Founded in 1980, the Wharton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is currently part of the Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Research Center and Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as well as part of the network of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers.