Patent Attorney and Founder
NYC is infamous for being a hotspot for business development. The millions of old school mom and pop shops and spanking new high tech startups that fill the city stand as a quiet testament of this claim.
To aid these businesses big city offers a myriad of resources. Everything from excellent small business advisors to help with applying for business licenses call the Big Apple home. Ironically, this making finding the precise small business services one needs such a pain.
For this reason and in the name of entrepreneurial solidarity, we here at Bold Patents New York Law Firm curated this handy directory that outlines 23 essential resources for entrepreneurs and inventors in New York.
Now let’s begin!
Universities
NYU
What else needs to be said? Nothing beyond spelling out the killer entrepreneurial services these behemoths of higher education offer their students.
Beyond programs, extraordinary resources and prestige, NYU offers:
- Leslie eLab
- Innovation Venture Fund
- $300K Entrepreneurs Challenge
- NYU Tandon Future Labs
In short, everything the budding/ experienced business person needs to succeed.
Contact Information:
Email: entrepreneur@nyu.edu
Phone #: 212-992-6070
Columbia University
Columbia University has birthed scores of the biggest companies in the tech biz. Not to name-drop, but these include BuzzFeed, Industrious, KeyMe, Compass and Zocdoc. It’s not too surprising when one learns that Columbia offers a 5100 square foot Startup Lab.
Located in WeWork’s Soho West, The Lab is home more than 70 alumni entrepreneurs and is the lovechild of Columbia’s Schools of Business, Engineering, Law and International Political, and Affairs schools and is a major perk for alumni. At least, for those who have graduated within five years.
Contact Information:
Email: visitorscenter@columbia.edu
Phone #: 212-854-4900
The New School
The New School specializes in combining social, art, media, design and technology in a way that prepares its students for success. It also actively offers programs designed to cultivate entrepreneurs amongst its students and the city at large. The New School’s “eLab” aids in its students’ success by helping pair them with recent Parsons grads to give them a leg up in terms of technology and design resources.
If these scholastic offerings weren’t tempting enough, consider The NYC Media Lab. This alliance between The New School, Columbia University, New York University, the School of Visual Arts, CUNY, IESE, the Pratt Institute, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation is designed to spur job growth within the fields of media and technology. They’ve even roped in several companies’ aid. These include Bloomberg, ESPN, and NBCUniversal.
Contact Information:
Email: communications@newschool.edu
Phone #: (212) 229-5600
Offices for Small Businesses
NYC Small Business Services
NYC Small Business Services is an organization founded in 2003 to help fellow New Yorkers gain jobs, create stronger businesses, and develop thriving neighborhoods across the area.
Since then, the office has created a multitude of free programs for fellow residents to take advantage of. These programs include but aren’t limited to the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Program, the Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program, and the Locally-based Business Enterprise (LBE) Program.
For those in need of a lease, the NYC Small Business Services Center offers free legal service.
Contact Information:
Email: business@sbs.nyc.gov
Phone #: 311
America’s Small Business Development Center New York
Around since 1984, The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) has been small business owners and entrepreneurs in the New York area by providing them with, “the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.”
It is administered by the State University of New York and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, and host campuses.
While this organization focuses primarily on manufacturers, exporters and technology-oriented firms, all businesses of different backgrounds are welcome, including those led by students and faculty at their respective institutions.
Contact Information:
Email: Contact Form
Phone #: In New York State – 800-732-SBDC. Outside New York State – 518-944-284
Inventor Groups
Inventors Association of Manhattan
The Inventors Association of Manhattan is an inventor group in Manhattan geared to helping inventors figure out everything there is to know about business and ingenuity from patenting to prototyping.
Every 2nd Monday of the month, the group features an expert guest speaker. From there, inventors can discuss what exactly the speaker said about a particular topic related to inventing.
On Monday, April 10, 2017, author Stephen Key gave a presentation to the group on How to License Ideas Without a Patent.
Contact Information:
Email: manhattan.inventors@gmail.com
Phone #: N/A
Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Queens
The Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Queens is an inventor group in Long Island City, NY geared to helping inventors understand how to file a design patent (among other things).
It is sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at LaGardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens. It is also an affiliate club of the United Inventors Association.
As of now, the group is run by entrepreneur and organizer Chris Landano.
Contact Information:
Email: chris@trakbelt360.com
Phone #: N/A
Entrepreneur Groups
New York Entrepreneurs & Startup Network (NYESN)
The New York Entrepreneurs & Startup Network (NYESN) is an organization established in 2013 to help everyone from startups to crowdfunding experts become the best entrepreneurs that they can possibly be.
Since the group’s start, it has grown to be very popular in the greater New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania startup areas.
Whether it’s pitching an idea or learning how to network, anyone looking to improve their skills is welcome to attend.
Contact Information:
Email: Meetup Page
Phone #: N/A
Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Network
Led by Chairman and CEO of Grade A Holdings, Inc, Glen Jr. Richards, the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Network group is an entrepreneur group for those under the age of 40 looking to start a business, but don’t know exactly where or how to.
For the most part, this group is focused on hosting networking events at high-end restaurants and other places of interests. However, as far as we can tell, there is a lot more to this group than providing a place for young entrepreneurs to interact in.
Contact Information
Email: Meetup Page
Phone #: N/A
Networking
Toklas Society
Toklas Society is a non-profit organization geared to providing women in hospitality the resources and opportunities needed for them to create their own businesses.
In addition to hosting networking and cooking events, Toklas Society also hosts digital marketing workshops. This way, when the time comes for these female entrepreneurs to run their businesses, they would know exactly as to how their brand(s) stands out amongst the crowd.
Contact Information:
Email: hello@toklassociety.org
Phone: N/A
New York Professional Network
Whether you’re an expert or a small business owner, The NY Professional Network group is a group geared to helping entrepreneurs of all different backgrounds connect with one another in order to succeed in today’s competitive market.
Every month, the group hosts a series of events and workshops, including, but not limited to those related to career, jobs, education, professional developments, MBA, MBA & masters admissions and other topics such as immigration, tech, finance non-profit, fashion, music, and literature.
Contact Information:
Email: moveyourcareer@gmail.com
Phone #: N/A
Mentorship
SCORE New York
SCORE is a volunteer, non-profit association affiliated with the Small Business Administration.
Since 1964, the group provides free in-depth business counseling for business owners and small businesses with everything from starting a business to figuring out which inventions are eligible for patenting.
As of now, the group provides free one-on-one counseling via Skype in addition to free on-site daily services.
Contact Information:
Email: info@scorenyc.org
Phone #: (212) 264-4507
WE NYC
WE NYC is an all-female entrepreneur group dedicated to helping female entrepreneurs start and grow their own businesses.
It originated from the NYC Small Business Services center. Since then, the group has offered free workshops, seminars, and webinars for everything from how to utilize QuickBooks to how to obtain a business license.
Because of the efforts of this group(among other factors), during the summer of 2018, Forbes Magazine rated New York City as best City in the world for women entrepreneurs.
Contact Information:
Email: Contact Form
Phone #: N/A
Accelerators
Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator
Located right in the Big Apple itself, the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (or ERA) is one of the city’s largest and best-funded accelerators in the city.
Other than that it is the city’s largest accelerator, what makes this accelerator stand out is that offers two sixteen-week programs with seed funding and co-working space. It also provides companies with mentorship support from over, “300 expert investors, marketers, sales execs and product specialists” according to Netguru.
While this accelerator is very welcoming towards businesses of all different backgrounds, it mainly focuses on technology-based companies according to the site’s FAQ page.
Overall, for those looking to come out on top in the entrepreneurship game, this accelerator is often hailed as a “go-to” place to start(that is if your company can get in, of course)
Contact Information:
Email: info@eranyc.com
Phone #: N/A
Blueprint Health
For the healthcare startups ready to advance from their humble start(s), New York City’s Blueprint Health is considered one of the best places to go to because of its excellent business mentors.
According to the site’s “FAQ” page, in order to get into the accelerator, the business must be run by a coachable team that also happens to have a pretty solid business model. Occasionally, the accelerator will accept a business that is run by a single person.
Upon getting accepted, the accelerator gives $20,000 and plenty of office space to utilize. In exchange, the company must give Blueprint Health 6% of its equity based on the founders’ shares.
Contact Information:
Email: info@blueprinthealth.org
Phone #: N/A
Grand Central Tech (GCT)
The Grand Central Tech and its Startup-in-Residence Program is a Stanford University style accelerator famous for helping advanced startups get to where they should be without having them pay for office space or equity.
In exchange for these benefits, companies must intern at the program at least once and stay in the GCT building. That way, they would be able to better communicate with their teammates in hopes of coming out on top.
In order to get in, businesses need to have “deep domain expertise and experience.”
Contact information:
Email: hello@company.co
Phone #: (646) 930-6300
Incubators
Made in NY Media Center
Created in collaboration with the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Made in NY Media Center is a Dumbo-based incubator dedicated to helping creatives of all types jumpstart their business careers beyond what a formal college education can provide for them.
In addition to taking classes and participating in workshops, businesses can utilize the incubator’s screen room.
Every month, the center hosts an art gallery that consists of everything from video art to fine art pieces.
Contact information:
Email: cpotts@nymediacenter.com
Phone #: N/A
NYU- Tandon Future Labs
Founded by the intelligent business and economical-minded leaders and entrepreneurs of New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, the NYU – Tandon Future Labs was created in the late 2000s to give students of all different backgrounds a chance to start a business that focuses on clean, economical technology.
According to the website, the labs are the, “first public-private partnership with New York City tasked with creating a sustainable incubation program.”
In 2013, it won the NBIA Incubator Graduate of the year award. At one point, it was rated 9th best Incubator in the Country according to Worth Magazine.
Contact information:
Email: nyupolyincubators@gmail.com or hello@futurelabs.nyc
Phone #: N/A
iBeeHub Inc.
From its monthly global entrepreneur bootcamps to its strong network of professionals and scholars, iBeeHub Inc. is considered “the most grounded incubator” according to the Xinhua News Agency.
It was established by Peking University and Fudan University alumni in April 2015. Since then, this Chinese American incubator has grown to be one of the most famous on the eastern side of the United States.
For those involved in Fintech startups, iBeeHub also happens to be the home of Wall Street Fintech Club, the first and biggest Chinese Fintech Club on the east coast.
Contact Information:
Email: info@ibeehub.org
Phone #: 1-347-514-6849
Seed Funding
Accelerate New York Seed Funding
Looking to get your New York area based emerging technology company funded? In that case, look no further than Accelerate New York Seed Funding group!
Located in downstate New York, the Accelerate New York Seed Funding group has been providing funding to those that specialize in science and technology.
In order to qualify, businesses must be…:
- Recently formed
- Have Pre-Revenue
- Have less than $500k in invested capital (equity, debt, other)
- No money from an institutional investor (equity, debt, other)
- No non-US tax jurisdiction
- Focused on an Emerging Technology
- Located in either New York, Long Island, or the Mid Hudson Valley
Contact Information:
Email: info@ANYseedfund.com
Phone #: N/A
Launch NY Seed Fund
Launch in 2016, The Launch NY Seed Fund group is a non-profit organization geared to funding and mentoring businesses out of the kindness of donations and grants given by those in and outside of the group.
While their headquarters is located in Buffalo, New York, Launch NY also has sites in Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester and Syracuse, NY.
For those that specialize in science, technology, and/or manufacturing, this organization is considered another to-go place.
It even has its own eco-incubator!
Contact Information:
Email: info@launchny.org
Phone #: (716) 881-8006
Shared Coworking Spaces
Image Source: Top 17 New York Co-Working Spaces
From Bat Haus to ServCorp, investors and entrepreneurs can choose from a multitude of shared coworking spaces.
For more information, please read our article, Top 17 New York Co-working Spaces.
In the article, we provide an in-depth explanation of all the different types of co-working spaces available in New York!
Library/ Libraries
Science, Industry, and Business Library (SIBL), New York Library
For the savvy business person looking for free, public business resources, The Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) is the place to go to!
With the swipe of a card, visitors can utilize the library’s multiple resources, including, but not limited to electronic resources, comprehensive print materials career coaches, and many others.
For those interested in showing off their startup skills, the library hosts a business competition called New York StartUP. During this contest, contests can win up to $15,000 to start their business, as well as gain practical insights about what being an entrepreneur is all about.
Meanwhile, for those who need additional help starting their business, library visitors can make appointments with the local SCORE tutors that come to the library often.
Contact Information:
Email: business@nypl.org
Phone #: (917) 275-6975
New York Patent Attorneys
From Immigration to Innovation, the Big Apple is considered the one place where with a little bit of hard work and dedication, American dreams really do come true.
But of course, in this day and age, making those dreams come true isn’t as easy as it used to be.
That is why we exist; to help our clients through the legal processes of intellectual property.
Click here to find out more about the #1 patent firm in New York!
About Bold Patents:
Known for serving the bold and the brave, Bold Patents has been helping its clients get the patents that they need in order to make their business ideas (and inventions) a reality.
Because they focus only on patents, they are able to find the lawyer(s) that best fit a certain company’s needs.
If you would like to know more about what a patent is and what the steps for finding the patent that’s right for your invention, then check out this article on what is a patent.
In Conclusion…
There you have it, everyone! The top 23 resources for inventors and entrepreneurs in New York:
- Universities
- NYU – Home of the famous NYU Tandon Future Labs (and other amazing resources)
- Columbia University – The School that started BuzzFeed and other tech businesses
- The New School – A loyal partner of The NYC Media Lab
- Offices for Small Businesses
- NYC Small Business Services – Providing the locals all of the resources that they need to succeed in and outside of the workforce since 2003
- The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) – Providing businesses with, “the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost” since 1984
- Inventor Groups
- Inventors Association of Manhattan – Famous for its guest speakers and lectures, including one by Stephen Key on How to License Ideas Without a Patent
- Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club of Queens – An affiliate club of the United Inventors Association
- Entrepreneur Groups
- New York Entrepreneurs & Startup Network (NYESN) – One of the most popular, recent entrepreneur groups in the greater New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania startup areas
- Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Network – Perfect for entrepreneur ages 40 or younger looking for a place to start growing their business
- Networking
- Toklas Society – A non-profit organization that provides women in hospitality the resources and opportunities needed to succeed in today’s competitive market world
- NY Professional Network – Geared to those looking to continue on with their business education right after graduation
- Mentorship
- SCORE New York – Providing free in-depth business counseling for business owners and small businesses (in and outside of the New York Public Library) since 1964
- WE NYC – An all-female entrepreneur group that originated from the NYC Small Business Services Center
- Accelerators
- Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA) – The largest (and arguably, best) accelerator in NYC
- Blueprint Health – A go-to place for advanced healthcare startups
- Grand Central Tech – A Standford University style accelerator that doesn’t charge advanced startups for office space or equity
- Incubators
- Made in NY Media Center – A Dumbo-based incubator dedicated to helping creatives of all types jumpstart their business careers beyond what a formal college education can provide for them
- NYU – Tandon Future Labs – Perfect for student-startups looking to focus on clean, innovative, environmentally friendly technologies
- iBeeHub Inc. – The first Chinese American incubator on the east coast to offer entrepreneur bootcamps and the Wall Street Fintech Club
- Seed Funding
- Accelerate New York Seed Funding – Ideal for advanced tech startups looking to earn more funding for their company
- The Launch NY Seed Fund group – A non-profit organization geared to funding and mentoring businesses through donations and grants
- Shared Co-Working Spaces
- 17 Co-working spaces in New York – Please read the article, Top 17 New York Coworking Spaces
- Library / Libraries
- The Science, Industry and Business Library – A great place to access free online and offline resources, including SCORE mentors and contest ideas
- Patent Attorneys / Lawyers
- Bold Patents – Your future go-to place for protecting your invention for years to come
In the meantime, tell us, what other resources would you recommend to your fellow entrepreneurs and inventors in New York? Please let us know in the comments below!