Programs

The Business Services Department works to provide the following seamless programs and services:

  • Queens Women's Business Center (QWBC) works to empower women to fully participate in the economy; to connect them to other women business owners and to business development resources in our community; and to help them to further develop the capacity to start and grow businesses. Specifically, QWBC assists entrepreneurs and business owners through one-on-one counseling, specialized workshops and networking opportunities which include the Power Networking Series and Women's History Month Celebration.
  • Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) is a comprehensive hands-on business training course targeted to new and existing business owners, and is specifically designed to minimize the risk and maximize the potential success of starting or expanding a business. We offer a 10-week course in the Fall and a 5-week boot camp course in the Spring. The primary goal of each session is to complete a fully vetted business plan. Also, if participants are start-up business owners and residents of Queens, they are automatically entered into the Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition for the opportunity to win start-up capital.  Participants are also included in our EAP Alumni Network which serves as not only a support system but an venue for business development.
  • Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition gives emerging entrepreneurs the opportunity to strengthen their business knowledge, learn about business trends, gain insights about starting and growing a business and have a chance to compete to win one of nine cash prizes, totaling approximately $30,000 annually. The competition is currently entering its sixth year and is funded through the generosity of the Citi Foundation and made possible through a partnership with the Queens Public Library.
  • PRIME MicroEntrepreneur Program provides free business development services to the smallest of small businesses. These services including free access to our workshops and networking events, graphic design assistance, and microlending assistance etc. This program is designed to  boost the ability of small companies to ability to survive and thrive in today's economy.
  • M/WBE Certification Series help minority businesses sell products and services to New York City. We offer seminars with the Queens Chamber of Commerce on how to become certified with the City of New York and a step-by-step introduction on selling to the city agencies. We also offer M/WBE counseling that assists business owners with the process of becoming certified and issues related to procurement.
  • The Entrepreneur Space is the newest program of the QEDC.  This incubator provides a home to fledging businesses.  Located in Long Island City our commercial kitchen is open to any qualified food business seeking to bring their operation to the next level.  It is available at a low cost and on an hourly basis. It provides emerging food businesses with legal, reasonably priced kitchen facilities to create and grow a business while relieving new business owners with the burden of high start up production and rental costs. The Entrepreneur Space offers access to business counseling, technical assistance and networking opportunities for all clients. Additionally, the Entrepreneur Space will have office space ranging from cubicles to private suites that will be available to all emerging small businesses.