The Blackstone LaunchPad Philadelphia supports student entrepreneurship in the Greater Philadelphia region through a partnership between Philadelphia University, Temple University and the University City Science Center. Based on a successful program developed by the University of Miami and expanded by Blackstone around the country, the Blackstone LaunchPad is an innovative program that treats entrepreneurship as a viable career path and provides university students with the skills, knowledge and guidance to transform new ideas into viable companies. Blackstone LaunchPad Philadelphia is a co-curricular program that is open to all 41,000 students at Philadelphia and Temple Universities, regardless of academic major. Through the regional partnership, Philadelphia University and Temple University students will have access to an expanded universe of resources to help them launch their ventures, strengthening the local economy. Philadelphia Blackstone LaunchPad is funded by a $3 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. Since 2010, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation has opened Blackstone LaunchPads in central Florida, Michigan, northeast Ohio, Montana and California. Each regional program is linked together, drawing on ideas and best practices and giving the student entrepreneurs access to a robust national network.