Small-business owners will be able to link up one-on-one with entrepreneurial mentors in an online platform that launched Tuesday.
Business Mentor NY will have users register online for free, review mentor profiles and directly engage with their chosen mentors. Program administrators will also be available to help small businesses identify suitable mentors, according to announcements from the state.
The platform was first announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his State of the State speech in January. He said at the time the program would build upon the mentoring efforts of volunteers during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The program is partially funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
An announcement from Cuomo”™s office said more than 200 business professionals from various industries will serve as mentors in the program.
The program will be conducted in partnership with MicroMentor, a mentoring platform that is an initiative of nonprofit Mercy Corps.
Cuomo”™s office said Empire State Development, which is administering the program, will hold events across the state to tout the benefits of the platform and seek to increase registration and use of its services.
