Division of Small Business & Technology Development
Get the best opportunities for your small business — we can help
Small businesses make up 98 percent of New York State businesses and employ 40% of New York’s private sector workforce. Empire State Development’s Small Business Division supports the development and expansion of businesses with under 100 employees – directing an array of programs and initiatives supporting small business growth and helping entrepreneurs maximize opportunities for success. Explore all we offer, plus a custom business checklist of NYS programs and services that match your goals.
Find Out Which Small Business Programs Can Help You
To see which programs are most relevant to you, please fill out the form below. After you tap the “Filter Programs” button, scroll down to view a list of small business programs that match your needs. Click on any program title to learn more, including how to apply.
If you'd prefer to see all available programs, you can scroll down to view the full list of program titles without filling out the form.
No specific match was found under your selection criteria.
New York State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
New York State has been awarded more than $500 million in federal SSBCI funding to help small, and traditionally disadvantaged, businesses succeed— with a focus on post-pandemic recovery. Find out more about ESD's SSBCI programs.
Find state and federal programs and tools including free resources — from workforce training and development to free English language instruction — available to immigrant business owners and anyone who wants to start a business in New York State.
Explore the Bid Ready Series to learn about large-scale projects in need of skilled small businesses, including MWBEs and SDVOBs, to make these projects a reality.
Lower interest rates on bank loans used to grow sales, buy equipment, and hire more staff. Designed for established New York small and midsized businesses looking to expand their footprint or workforce.
Affordable loans up to $100,000 to help cover the daily costs of running your business. Designed for New York businesses needing working capital. Apply directly through a trusted local partner in your region.
Affordable loans for small farms and agricultural businesses looking to expand operations, upgrade equipment, or hire workers. Designed for New York’s agribusinesses and rural producers.
New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2
Short-term loans up to $250,000 to help pay for everyday business expenses, payroll, buy equipment, and make real estate improvements. Designed for New York small businesses looking for accessible financing.
Loans to help contractors cover the costs of purchase orders, payroll, supplier bills, and other expenses while working on government-funded projects. Designed for New York contractors who need cash flow while waiting on payments.
Financial guarantees and technical assistance to help small business contractors get approved for surety bonds on publicly funded projects. Designed for New York firms bidding on government-led projects.
Guarantees of up to 80% on eligible loans, reducing risk for participating lenders and expanding access to capital. Designed for startups and small businesses in New York that need extra help getting approved for standard bank loans.
Affordable loans up to $100,000 to launch or grow your new business. Designed for startups and early-stage small businesses looking to establish themselves in New York.
Financing to purchase equipment or buy, build, and renovate commercial facilities. Designed for manufacturers and other eligible businesses scaling and expanding their operations in New York.
Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Financial support for certified ACDBEs participating in concession opportunities at New York State airports. Designed for vendors looking to operate in these major transit hubs.
Equity investments and programs for venture-backable startups
Emerging and Regional Partner Program Fund
Invests in diverse fund managers with first-, second- or third-time funds, or with managers who will use the funds to invest in areas of New York State where venture capital is less readily available.
Invests in accelerators or similar mentor-based programs to provide equity investments for high-growth companies that are participating in those programs.
Empire State Development connects scalable companies with New York State’s top universities, talent, and manufacturing facilities through its support of several cutting-edge accelerator programs and funding competitions.
Help for small businesses seeking government contracts
New York State Surety Bond Assistance Program
Financial guarantees and technical assistance to help small business contractors get approved for surety bonds on publicly funded projects. Designed for New York firms bidding on government-led projects.
Loans to help contractors cover the costs of purchase orders, payroll, supplier bills, and other expenses while working on government-funded projects. Designed for New York contractors who need cash flow while waiting on payments.
The official NYS contracting website where you can bid on projects to offer your goods or services to state government and municipal agencies. Designed for B2B companies ready to secure government contracts.
Matching funds for qualifying federal SBIR/STTR recipients to pay for commercialization costs not covered by federal awards. Designed for New York tech startups and researchers ready to bring innovations to market.
A downloadable step-by-step roadmap covering New York business planning, financing, licensing, taxes, and regulations. Designed for entrepreneurs launching or operating a small business statewide.
A digital hub for navigating state requirements, finding support programs, and generating a customized checklist for your business. Designed for anyone starting a business in New York.
A directory to help you find non-traditional, community-based lenders. Designed for founders and business owners across New York State who do not meet traditional banking criteria.
Free, confidential help for small businesses trying to understand and comply with state and federal environmental regulations. Designed for New York auto shops, dry cleaners, and manufacturers navigating compliance rules.
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund Program
Provides grant support to New York State federally certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in their efforts to provide technical assistance to New York State small business and underserved individuals.
Programs primarily for lenders and financial institutions
Capital Access Program
Portfolio insurance that makes banks more likely to approve your small business loan by reducing the financial risk for the lender. Designed for New York businesses seeking traditional bank financing but needing help qualifying.
Loans to help contractors cover the costs of purchase orders, payroll, supplier bills, and other expenses while working on government-funded projects. Designed for New York contractors who need cash flow while waiting on payments.
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Revolving Loan Fund Program
Microloans from $500 up to $25,000 provided through local community lenders. Designed for New York micro-businesses, startups and local shops needing immediate working capital.
Lower interest rates on bank loans used to grow sales, buy equipment, and hire more staff. Designed for established New York small and midsized businesses looking to expand their footprint or workforce.
New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2
Short-term loans up to $250,000 to help pay for everyday business expenses, payroll, buy equipment, and make real estate improvements. Designed for New York small businesses looking for accessible financing.
Financial guarantees and technical assistance to help small business contractors get approved for surety bonds on publicly funded projects. Designed for New York firms bidding on government-led projects.
Guarantees of up to 80% on eligible loans, reducing risk for participating lenders and expanding access to capital. Designed for startups and small businesses in New York that need extra help getting approved for standard bank loans.
Academic partnerships with New York’s top universities to turn your innovative research into market-ready products. Designed for high-tech innovators and entrepreneurs looking to commercialize scientific breakthroughs.
Engines for companies to create academic partnerships with New York's top universities to develop and commercialize new technologies. Designed for R&D-focused companies seeking academic collaboration in specific technology areas.
Matching funds for qualifying federal SBIR/STTR recipients to pay for commercialization costs not covered by federal awards. Designed for New York tech startups and researchers ready to bring innovations to market.
Empire State Development connects scalable companies with New York State’s top universities, talent, and manufacturing facilities through its support of several cutting-edge accelerator programs and funding competitions.
Matching funds and support letters to strengthen competitive federal and foundation R&D grant proposals. Designed for New York higher education and not-for-profit research institutions to leverage funding for high-tech economic development.
