News from Westchester’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Featuring news, entrepreneur profiles, and mentorship and growth opportunities
Launch1000 Application Deadline Extended to April 30
Ready to launch a new venture and become your own boss? The application deadline for Launch1000 has been extended to April 30. This virtual program will help you evaluate your business or nonprofit idea, test it with potential customers, and see if it seems likely to succeed.
 
This year’s program will feature a Dual Language cohort (English/Spanish), which will provide participants with bilingual coaches and mentors. 
Launch1000 in The News

Deborah Novick, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for Westchester County, was recently featured on ABC 7 about Launch1000’s Dual Language Cohort (English/Spanish). You can view the segment here.
New York Business Plan Competition to Award
$50K in Prize Money
 
The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) will be awarding $50K in prize money this year, including $15K to the Grand Prize Winner. Special prizes include SEFCU MWBE Award, KeyBank Healthcare MWBE Award, The Tech Garden Award, The GENIUS NY Award, and more to be announced.

The NYBPC is privately funded through sponsorships and donations. Funds are allocated towards building a program that has garnered over $150M+ economic impact including follow-on funding for 100+ startups.
 
This year's statewide entrepreneurship competition will culminate with a live, in-person event on April 27 in Syracuse, NY. Watch the top teams from across the state pitch live to the judges, as part of Upstate Capital's event, Venture NY. Register here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Grant Funding for Businesses and NGOs: Myths and Truths
 
Is your business or NGO looking to expand revenue via grant funding? In this webinar from SCORE Hudson Valley and Greater New York chapters, world-renowned grant writer Holly Rustick will break down the following on grant funding:

  • What are grants (federal and foundation)
  • Eligibility for grant funding
  • Strings attached to grant funding
  • How to know if grants are a good fit for your business or NGO
 
DATE: April 13, 2022
TIME: 9:00 AM
Ask an Expert: Smart Money Moves for Your Business
 
So you have finally started to see consistent profits. The next step is to learn money management strategies that improve your business's cash flow. Join SCORE Westchester for a live Q&A session with expert presenter Justin Krane, dedicated to answering your questions about:
 
  • Pricing
  • How to set up your business to fund your personal financial life
  • Increasing your profits
  • Proactive cash flow planning
 
DATE: April 14, 2022
TIME: 1:00 PM
Get a Piece of the 3 Billion Dollar MWBE Pie
 
More than $3 Billion in New York state contracts were awarded to MWBE firms for the fiscal year 2020-2021. Learn how you can get a piece of the MWBE pie! This webinar is in partnership with Hudson Valley Women in Business. 
 
DATE: April 21, 2022
TIME: 10:00 AM
Have entrepreneurial news or resources we should know about?
Drop us a line at Business-FIRST@westchestergov.com