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Start a Business in New York City

Advice and Resources for New York Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

By , About.com Guide

Find out everything you need to know about starting and running a successful New York City business. We've got information on NYC business licensing and incorporation laws, free and low-cost NYC resources for small businesses, advice on business loans and financing, and much more.

NYC Business Planning

NYC Business Solutions Easy Start Business Guide -- This comprehensive small business guide from NYC Business Solutions covers choosing a legal structure for your business, business incorporation requirements, tax and trademark essentials, and more.

NYC Business Express -- This handy online wizard will walk you through a series of questions about your business plans and generate a customized guide with all of the relevant licensing, zoning, tax, regulatory, and hiring information for your future business.

Business Plan Examples -- You just need a New York Public Library card number to access this online archive of sample business plans from a wide variety of industries.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for New York Small Businesses

Free Business Counseling from SCORE -- Get free business counseling from a successful business mentor at SCORE. Visit SCORE's downtown offices for in-person sessions or sign up for email counseling.

SCORE Small Business Seminars -- These low-cost seminars feature expert speakers on key small business topics. Popular seminars include Marketing Secrets for Small Business and How to Write a Winning Business Plan.

NYC Small Business Solution Centers -- NYC Business Solutions, an initiative of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, provides free, quick & reliable information on a range of critical business issues at locations in all five boroughs.

The NYPL Science, Industry, and Business Library -- This branch of the New York Public Library is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs. Get free access to fee-based business research databases, attend business classes and seminars, and reserve small meeting rooms for free.

FastTrac -- The City of New York recently announced two new no-cost programs to encourage entrepreneurship in New York City. FastTrac NewVenture is a 6-day intensive boot camp for aspiring entrepreneurs and FastTrac GrowthVenture is a 4-week course for small business owners interested in taking their existing businesses to the next level.

NYC Small Business Financing

U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Programs -- Learn about U.S. Small Business Administration loans and financial assistance programs.

NYC Business Solutions Guide to Raising Financing -- This documentprovides an introduction to how to calculate your capital needs and evaluate funding sources including bank loans and venture capital funds.

NYC Business Solutions Alternative Lenders Guide -- Get more information about six alternative lenders operating in New York City including Project Enterprise and Accion USA.

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