Make sure to check official governmental sites for the latest updated information on the COVID-19 outbreak. Official government notice links about COVID-19 in New York, Connecticut, and federal. CDC; Westchester County; State of Connecticut; State of New York; and City of New Haven.
The New York Empire State Development’s Small Business Division has put together a unified website collecting various New York State programs/services offered to New York small business to start-up or expand their small businesses. The site contains a 52-page guide to owning and operating a small business in New York State as well as a directory of New York State small business programs. There is also a link to discover more information about becoming a New York State government contractor and qualifying to bid on New York State government procurement contracts. Finally, the site links to various financing and lending programs offered by New York State government entities–and contains a searchable directory of alternative lenders in New York State catering to small businesses. www.erskine-law.com
For small businesses looking to conduct research and development, while needing funds to realize their small business technology, check out The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The SBIR “is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.” Progressing in three phases (I to III) with funding of up to US$150,000 in phase I (6 months) and up to US$1,000,000 (2 years) in phase II, the “SBIR funds the critical startup and development stages and it encourages the commercialization of the technology, product, or service, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy.” The program started in 1982 (President Regan) and encompasses several US federal agencies.
Another US federal government program focusing on small business technology companies is The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) . The STTR “expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena.” Like the SBIR, the STTR is a three phase program offering the same monetary support as the SBIR to small businesses who partner/collaborate with research institutions/laboratories. The goal of the STTR is to “[i]ncrease private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D.”
If your small business technology enterprise resides in New York (the Empire State), then check out the Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) site. NYSTAR lists a number of programs offered in the State of New for New York companies on the left hand side of their site (click thru the links listed for more info). If your high technology small business is located in Connecticut, take a look at the venture capital program called Connecticut Innovations.
Daniel H. Erskine, an international attorney, practices in New York and Connecticut focusing on international law, civil litigation, appeals, and business transactions. www.erskine-law.com Attorney Advertising; USE OR VIEWING OF THIS BLOG OR ANY OF THE WEB PAGES LINKED TO IT DOES NOT ESTABLISH OR OTHERWISE CONSTITUTE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
If you are a New York state small business thinking about exporting to foreign countries or already selling your products abroad, then take a look at Global NY. The new program offers assistance to New York state small businesses who export as well as foreign businesses looking to invest in New York. Peruse the services and programs offered by Global NY, which include loans, grants, export marketing assistance program, state trade expansion program, and applications for each. If your a UK based SME, then consider looking at Open to Export’s country guides as well as seeking out assistance from UK Export Finance. The UK Department for International Trade and the Enterprise Europe Network , which also has a New York Branch (The European-American Business Organization, Inc.) for New York small businesses who seek to trade with Europe. www.erskine-law.com
Looking for market data on how your small business compares; check out the Small Business Administration’s online tool Sizeup. The tool helps by “benchmarking [your small business] against competitors, mapping your customers, competitors and suppliers, and locating the best places to advertise.” You will need to create a sign in to access some of the options. Your New York small business may also retrieve labor market data from the New York Department of Labor’s statistics site. There you will find wage data by occupation, employment projections, and regional data (among other items). In addition, your New York small business might want to look at business financing options at New York Business First’s website. The site details programs available for New York small and larger businesses offered throughout New York State. Also, reference to Empire State’s various business programs may prove useful for your New York small business or your SME located abroad. Their International Division has offices overseas (there is one in the UK in London). www.erskine-law.com
