News from Westchester’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Featuring news, entrepreneur profiles, and mentorship and growth opportunities
Element46 Alum Launches New Venture
 
Joan Jia, who participated in the second Element46 cohort for her company Hastings Tea & Coffee, has launched a new venture with veteran real estate broker Sally Possidente: RENTRY. An interactive marketplace and service provider, RENTRY specializes in small, multifamily homes. RENTRY brings full transparency through the marketplace with real time property valuation, low fee investment strategy advisory, and a stress-free transaction experience.
 
RENTRY has been accepted into Newchip’s renowned global accelerator program, funded by AstraLabs. Designed to provide all the skills and tools founders need to rapidly fund, build and scale their companies, this equity-free and fully digital accelerator has helped over 1,500 founders from more than 50 countries and 250 cities raise over $450 million in funding with an estimated portfolio of over $9B.
 
In addition, RENTRY was accepted to HAYVN Launch Program, which is dedicated to addressing the challenges women founders and entrepreneurs have in securing financing and deliverables that investors expect to see.
Emerging Leaders Lab LLC Seeking Participants for February Leadership Accelerator Program
 
Emerging Leaders Lab LLC, founded by Launch1000 participant Henry J. Davis, Ph.D., has three slots available for the company’s February cohort. Emerging Leaders Lab is a four week online leadership accelerator program for mid-career level professionals looking to enhance their skills for senior leadership positions. Included in the package is live group facilitations with executive leadership coaches and networking opportunities with colleagues. 
 
If you are interested in this opportunity for yourself or one of your employees, contact [email protected]. Deadline to submit is Monday, January 31 at 5 PM.
Career Opportunities at Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurs & Innovation at Iona College
 
The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Iona College was selected by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) to support their SBA funded Community Navigator Pilot Program. Iona College serves as one the spokes to work with the IVMF hub to provide free services to the veteran entrepreneurship community in New York State and the National Capital Region. The program is currently accepting applications for two open positions.
 
Business Advisor (Part-Time)
The Iona College spoke is seeking a highly motivated, detail oriented, and engaging individual to join the team as a Business Advisor to provide one-on-one technical assistance to veterans and veteran-owned small businesses on topics such as business planning, management, operations, marketing/sales, and financing. In addition, the business advisor will play a key role in connecting spoke clients to free services provided by the Community Navigator Pilot network in the areas of loan assistance, financial literacy, credit counseling, CDFI services, corporate and federal contracting, legal services, insurance and risk management, accounting/taxation.
Coordinator (Full-Time)
The program is also seeking a highly motivated, detail oriented, and engaging individual to join the team as a Coordinator to provide administrative, operational and logistical support to the Community Navigator Pilot program. In addition, the Coordinator will play a key role in the grassroots outreach and marketing efforts to reach the veteran population in our service areas. This role will be reporting to the director of the Hynes Institute and working closely with the assistant director in to ensure proper reporting processes.
New York Business Plan Competition Accepting Student Applications; Looking for Professional Judges and Mentors
 
The New York Business Plan Competition is currently accepting applications from student teams, and is also recruiting judges and mentors for this year’s competition.
 
Student Teams
All students are invited to apply, including graduate, undergraduate, and/or community college students enrolled part- or full-time in accredited New York colleges and universities during the current academic year. Exchange students are also eligible. Participants will receive feedback from experts in their field, have access to potential investment opportunities and experience delivering pitches to industry professionals.
Judges & Mentors 
Participating as a judge or mentor with NYBPC regionals and finals creates unique value for future entrepreneurs in New York. This is a great opportunity to share your wealth of expertise with today’s newest innovators. Judges and mentors are venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, experienced entrepreneurs and leaders from the business community.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Path to Entrepreneurship

What do you need to start a successful business?  Get introduced to small business ownership through this content-rich, free, two-hour online presentation.

DATE: February 2, 2022
TIME: 6 – 8:00 PM
Ask the CPA: Tax Advice for Your Small Business
 
Tax season will be here sooner than you think! If you have tax questions, we have tax answers. Join Westchester SCORE for this LIVE Q&A session with certified CPA and small business tax expert Micah Fraim. A whole hour dedicated to answering your tax-related questions and concerns, offering tax advice you can implement throughout the year.
 
DATE: February 3, 2022
TIME: 1:00 PM
Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition Perfect Your Pitch and Mentoring Information Session
 
All college/university representatives, students, advisors, and mentors interested or already registered for this year’s competition are welcome to attend. Registration is required for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
 
DATE: February 9, 2022
TIME: 1:00 PM
New York Business Plan Competition Information Session
 
The NYBPC organizers will be hosting a free webinar/workshop via Zoom for current or potential mentors, judges and students; campus champions; regional organizers, and anyone with an interest in learning more about the program.  
 
DATE: February 15, 2022
TIME: 12:00 PM
WEDC 60-Hour Entrepreneurial Training Program

If you have an idea for a business, some experience in the field, or have started a business, then this course is right for you! WEDC’s professional trainers will assist you with navigating all aspects of starting, running and sustaining your business. This premier 60 Hour Business Plan course will guide you through creating your road map for success and setting you on a path for growth.
 
In fact, 60-hour class attendees have a better chance of loan approval to start or grow their business. Completing this course means that you have an understanding of how to run a business as well as higher probability of success than someone who has not received training.
 
Online classes start Tuesday, February 15th, 2022. Sessions will be held primarily on Tuesday evenings 6pm – 9pm and one Saturday Class* on February 19th, 9am – 2pm via Zoom.
 
Topics Covered:

  • Market Research Skills
  • Legal Business Structures
  • Product Positioning and Competition
  • Social Media
  • Business Management Skills and Organization
  • Financial Planning
  • And much more!
Keys to a Successful Black Owned Business Startup

New businesses are on the rise across the United States, and particularly in the black community. If you’re an entrepreneur with a good idea, it might be the right time to finally start your business.
 
In this webinar you will learn the keys to starting your business including:

  • Basics of a Business Plan
  • Understanding the Market
  • Startup Capital
  • The Importance of Networking and more

DATE: February 22, 2022
TIME: 1:00 PM
Have entrepreneurial news or resources we should know about?
Drop us a line at [email protected]