Who is Doing What in NYC?: How the City Can Help Your Business
It’s not always easy navigating all the organizations and institutions in NYC which offer help to startups. The unveiling of Digital.nyc is a big boon to tech startups in terms of gathering many resources together in one place. But what other government sponsored help is available?
 DIGITAL.NYCThe City’s newest resource for tech companies brings together everything one needs to know about the tech ecosystem of New York City into one platform of resources, networks, and information. From gathering a network of investors, companies and organizations, to offering a calendar of all the tech-related events in the city, Digital.nyc is your one-stop shop for tech in the city.The website is the result of collaboration between the City, private NYC-based companies, and two larger corporations, IBM and Gust.How Digital.NYC can help startups: Tech news in one spot; startup directory; business events calendar; job list; investor directory; resource list; educational resource directory; workspace and incubator directory. |
WE ARE MADE IN NYC Created by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in partnership with New York Tech Meetup, We Are Made In New York is an initiative supporting the city’s digital, film, theater, broadcasting, and fashion sectors. With the goal of driving innovation in tech, the website offers support in the form of helping digital companies find talent, office space, education, funding, and competitions.How We Are Made in NYC can help startups:Events list; company directory; job listings; office space; education resources |
NEW YORK CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NYCEDC) The NYCEDC’s goal is to drive economic development, create jobs, and improve quality of life in NYC in a wide range of industries. The corporation does this through spearheading various projects and initiatives such as the NYC BigApps competition which invites innovators to solve city problems through the development of apps, or the RISE: NYC initiative which invites proposals on how to make the city’s businesses more resilient to climate change.The EDC’s Opportunities for Entrepreneurs page is a helpful resource list for startups and entrepreneurs.How NYCEDC can help startups:Programs for entrepreneurs; competitions; mentorship resources; incubator and workspace directory; |
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) The SBA is run by the United States government and has many resources to aid small businesses as they get started and grow. They offer counselling sessions, legal advice, loans, assistance with government contracts, and resource guides. The SBA also runs programs to help businesses in the US, such as the 8(a) Business Development Program to aid small disadvantaged businesses, and the HUBZone Program which helps businesses in certain underutilized zones to get preferential access to certain federal opportunities.How SBA can help startups:Loans and grants; resource guides; counseling; legal advice; contracting assistance; resources and info on starting a business; business events calendar; online training sessions |
 SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC)The SBDC is a partnership program with the SBA and offers more geographically targeted services in various states. The SBDC’s many branches are hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agencies and provide assistance to small businesses and startups in order to promote entrepreneurship. New York City has several locations which offer free mentorship and counselling services on topics such as tech development, marketing, accessing capital, writing business plans, and more.How SBDC can help startups:In-person or online counselling; training events; |
NY PUBLIC LIBRARY While the library might not be one of the first places you’d look for business help, New York City’s public libraries actually offer a wide range of helpful classes, services, and resources. The library’s NYC Small Business Resource Center gathers all this info into one place and includes multi-lingual support. Some of our favorite resources offered here include the Small Business Services Directory and the Small Business Events and Training Calendar.How NYPL can help startups:Training events; business services directory; business databases |
EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT In contrast to the NYCEDC, Empire State Development is New York State’s economic development arm. It offers financial assistance in the form of loans, tax credits and grants, as well as various programs for businessOffering resources such as Start-up NY which helps people start, expand or relocate their qualified business to a tax-free zone in New York State.Though it is state-wide, it doesn’t exclude New York City-based companies, so be sure to see if they offer anything that could help your business.How ESD can help startups:Financial assistance and advice; business development assistance; small business resource center; mentorship |