Where to start
New York City offers a number of programs to help international businesses come to NYC and succeed once they’re here. From help getting a visa, to free legal counsel on how to structure your business, to affordable space in City-sponsored incubators, there are programs for everyone.
Programs for Any Industry
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move to the United States:
International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC)
The International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC) helps international entrepreneurs become eligible for uncapped H-1B visas to expand their business to NYC. The program connects international entrepreneurs selected through a competitive process with a City University of New York (CUNY) school. Women entrepreneurs are especially welcome to apply.
Learn more about IN2NYC
Incubators, Wet Lab Spaces, Shared Workspaces
New York City has fostered an incubator and co-working space network that provides low-cost space, business services, training, and networking opportunities to hundreds of startups and small businesses across a variety of sectors. Over 1,000 startup businesses and 1,500 employees have benefited from City-supported incubators.
Learn more about NYC’s incubator and co-working network
After arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for use these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
Women Entrepreneurs NYC (WENYC)
Connects women entrepreneurs with resources, education, and connections to thrive.
Learn more about WENYC
Business Solution Centers
Free expert help with the things you need to start, operate, or expand in New York City: legal advice on how to structure and incorporate your business, questions about a real estate lease, protecting your intellectual property, and more; assistance securing loans; help navigating government permits and regulations; and recruiting employees.
Learn more about Business Solutions Centers
Technology & Media Programs
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move to the United States:
Digital.nyc
The official online hub of the New York City startup and technology ecosystem, bringing together every company, startup, investor, event, job, class, workspace, accelerator, incubator, resource and organization in the five boroughs. It is the result of a unique public/private partnership.
Visit digital.nyc
After Arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for or use these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
Tech Talent Pipeline
Delivering quality tech talent for New York's businesses.
Learn about the Tech Talent Pipeline
NYC Big Apps
The United States's largest civic innovation competition that empowers the sharpest minds to solve New York City's toughest challenges through technology, data, and collaboration. 2015 winners focused on the following challenges: Affordable Housing, Zero Waste, Connected Cities, and Civic Engagement.
Compete in NYC Big Apps
Headless Commerce in NYC
Lots of brand moving to NYC want to go Headless with their eCommerce store but don't know where to start. Instant Commerce can help you with these challenges though challenges.
Smart Cities & Clean Tech Programs
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move to the United States:
Urban Technology Growth Hubs
NYCEDC is launching a new model of support for fast-growing companies that are solving our most pressing urban challenges. The Urban Technology Growth Hubs are centers for growth-stage smart city, clean technology and energy companies, providing over 50,000 SF of post-incubator, step-out space, and prototyping resources.
Check out Urban Tech NYC
Life Sciences Programs
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move United States:
Early Stage Life Sciences Funding Initiative
Launched with anchor participation from the NYC Economic Development Corporation, Celgene, GE Ventures, and Eli Lilly, this initiative will deploy a minimum of $150 million and seeks to launch 15 to 20 breakthrough ventures by 2020. The initiative is designed to support the development of new technologies and products for patients and researchers, including therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, research and development instrumentation, and digital life sciences technologies.
Learn about this funding initiative
After Arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for or use of these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
Digital Health Breakthrough Network
The Digital Health Breakthrough Network offers rapid validation for early-stage health tech startups by enabling them to collaborate with NYC-based healthcare providers quickly and affordably.
LifeSci NYC
NYC recently launced LifeSci NYC, a $500 million investment to vault NYC to the forefront of research and innovation. The funding includes real estate development opportunities, incentives, incubators, matching funds for early stage companies, and a new campus.
Fashion Programs
After Arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for or use these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
NYC Fashion Production Fund
In partnership with Capital Business Credit, the Fashion Production Fund provides emerging designers with production financing at below-market rates and flexible terms to cover the costs of purchase orders. Loans are awarded between $50,000 and $300,000, with terms of 30-120 days. To date, over $2.5 million has been awarded through 32 loans.
Learn more the NYC Fashion Production Fund
Fashion Manufacturing Initiative
In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative is a $6 million public-private partnership that awards grants to local fashion production companies in order to purchase innovative machinery, make technology and capital upgrades, offer employees skills training, and cover costs of relocating within NYC. To date, nearly $2 million has been awarded to NYC’s best fashion factories.
Food, Beverage & Retail Programs
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move to the United States:
Brooklyn Foodworks
Brooklyn FoodWorks is a platform to prototype, launch, and grow innovative food businesses. It offers commercial kitchen space (featuring ten unique stations), business mentoring, and more. Members are accepted on an application basis.
Apply for membership with Brooklyn Foodworks
After Arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for or use these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
Business Acceleration
NYC Business Acceleration (NYCBA) is a service of the City of New York for food and beverage, industrial and retail businesses that can help you open or expand more easily and faster, and operate more smoothly and with fewer challenges. Business Acceleration provides a variety of services to help your business including free client management, plan reviews, consultations with inspectors and inspections from City agencies including Buildings, Fire, Health and Mental Hygiene, Environmental Protection, and Consumer Affairs.
Industrial & Manufacturing Programs
Before You Get Here
Businesses can apply for or use these programs from their home country, even before they make the move to the United States:
NYC Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA)
NYCIDA helps eligible companies grow their business and create good jobs by providing financial incentives for locating or retaining their operations in New York City. NYCIDA can help your business: Qualify up to 100% land tax abatements for up to 25 years; Waive mortgage recording tax on the actual mortgage; Stabilize building taxes at pre-improvement, taxable values for up to 25 years; Exempt materials used to develop, renovate, or equip facilities from sales tax.
Learn about the Industrial Development Agency
After Arrival in NYC
Businesses can apply for or use these programs only after they have arrived in NYC:
Futureworks NYC
The comprehensive program will develop an advanced manufacturing center, activate a network of facility and equipment sharing, as well as a virtual incubator and a suite of business extension services.
Learn about Futureworks NYC
Business Acceleration
NYC Business Acceleration (NYCBA) is a service of the City of New York for industrial businesses that can help you open or expand more easily and faster, and operate more smoothly and with fewer challenges. Business Acceleration provides a variety of services to help your business including free client management, plan reviews, consultations with inspectors and inspections from City agencies including Buildings, Fire, Health and Mental Hygiene, Environmental Protection, and Consumer Affairs.
Learn about Business Acceleration
Point of Contact
Danny Kadishson
Director of Economic Development
NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
Email: ibusiness@cityhall.nyc.gov
Home Country Support
Companies wishing to enter a foreign market can actively seek out support by the embassy or consulate of their home country in another city. Staff members are ready to help you begin.
Another source of support and information is the bilateral chamber of commerce of your
home country. The chamber may assist your company in several ways, including
consulting services regarding market research, trade-show assistance, background
verification, preparation of market entry plans and business referral services.
Find your Embassy / Consulate or Chamber of commerce for this city.
