Helping founders find community and connections
Hands-on paid farm apprenticeship providing a robust foundation in regenerative agricultural practices through in-field and classroom instruction, farm visits, and CRAFT network participation. Prepares aspiring farmers for independent farm business management.
Certification program for supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification, and container closure evaluation for low-acid and acidified canned foods. Required by FDA and USDA regulations. Covers acidified foods and low-acid foods tracks. Offered virtually and in-person at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY.
Learn more →Ongoing mentorship and advisory program for entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Olean/Cattaraugus County area. Connects founders with experienced business leaders through OBDC's established mentor network, hosted at The Hub co-working space in downtown Olean.
Learn more →Free online self-paced entrepreneurship courses developed by Clarkson University's Shipley Center for Innovation with NYS Empire State Development funding. Nine microcredential courses covering customer discovery, business models, business plans, marketing, accounting, taxes, and intellectual property. Learners earn a Certificate of Completion and Clarkson University digital micro-credential. Available statewide; part of the Upstate Founders program serving 400+ NY entrepreneurs.
Learn more →12-week cohort-based business education program teaching fundamentals of budgeting, marketing, bookkeeping, and financing. Serves minority, women, and aspiring entrepreneurs in Rochester. Rising Tide Capital curriculum; 70%+ participants are women of color. Free information sessions held virtually prior to each cohort.
Learn more →NYS Empire State Development-funded Entrepreneurship Assistance Center providing instruction, training, technical assistance, and support to new and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Bronx. Covers business plan development, marketing, financing, and management. Available in English and Spanish.
Learn more →One of 20 NYS Empire State Development-funded EACs helping minorities and women launch and grow businesses through classroom instruction and one-on-one technical assistance. Serves dislocated workers and aspiring entrepreneurs. 25+ year track record; two-time EAC award winner.
Learn more →First-year immersion program run by CORE that exposes incoming Columbia University students to entrepreneurship and the NYC tech ecosystem. Designed to introduce first-year students to startup culture, founder networks, and entrepreneurial thinking early in their academic career. Part of CORE's mission to inspire and educate the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Learn more →Structured farm business courses and individualized one-to-one coaching for new farmers. Covers goal-setting, market development, financial planning, and profit strategies. Designed to help beginning and aspiring farmers build economically sustainable farm enterprises.
Learn more →10-week online certificate program delivered via eCornell by Cornell food science experts. Guides food entrepreneurs through 5 interactive courses covering product prototyping, food safety, processing and packaging, regulatory compliance, and market launch. NYS-funded tuition grant covers the $3,699 certificate cost (minus $200 registration fee) for qualifying participants. Located at Cornell AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY.
Learn more →Free and low-cost business training workshops, webinars, and courses covering key topics such as business startup, funding, marketing, financial planning, legal compliance, and industry-specific training. Available in-person and online through the NY SBDC statewide training network. Part of the NY SBDC network of 20 regional centers and 70+ satellite locations, administered by SUNY and funded by the SBA and NYS. Hosted at York College (CUNY) in Jamaica, Queens.
Learn more →