Empire State Development officials are partnering with a nonprofit organization”™s national online business service to launch a free mentoring program for small businesses working with private-sector volunteers.
The Business Mentor NY program, first announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in his January State of the State Address, will give owners of small businesses one-on-one assistance from business professionals and successful entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and spur growth. It will be funded in part through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The state”™s first large-scale, hands-on mentoring program is being conducted in partnership with MicroMentor, a free online business mentor service for entrepreneurs sponsored by Mercy Corps, a nonprofit international community development organization.
Cuomo said the new initiative builds on the mentoring efforts of volunteers who assisted New York businesses in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and tropical storms Irene and Lee. The network already includes lawyers, accountants, business consultants, entrepreneurs and experts in finance, retail, communications and information technology, human resources and staffing, public relations and sales and marketing.
State officials this spring plan to launch the Business Mentor NY website, allowing small businesses to register for the program online, review mentor profiles and directly engage with mentors. Program administrators will also be available to help small businesses identify suitable mentors and ensure program quality.
“Our Business Mentor NY initiative aims to help small businesses turn a good idea into a sustainable business so that they can create new economic opportunities in communities across the state,” Cuomo said in the announcement. “When fully operational, it will function as one of the largest integrated networks in the country that will meet the needs of all businesses across New York state.”
Empire State Development president, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said the interactive program harnesses “the skills-based volunteerism movement” and is already actively matching mentors to businesses while state officials work to expand the network to businesses statewide.
Small business owners or mentors interested in participating in the program should contact Amy Greenstein at (212) 803-3216 or by email at agreenstein@esd.ny.gov.
I just wrote a message to Amy, and my mail got rejected. Can you update me on the link. I would love to get in contact with the service. Thank you
Thank you very much for your interest in Business Mentor NY. We are more than happy to provide additional information and/or applications for mentorship. My email address is agreenstein@esd.ny.gov. Looking forward to hearing from you!