What is FastTrac®?
FastTrac® is a series of free multiple-session entrepreneurship bootcamps offered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) for aspiring and established entrepreneurs throughout New York City.
SBS offers both general and specialized NewVenture™ / GrowthVenture courses.
Program Overview
FastTrac® NewVenture™
For aspiring entrepreneurs or ones who have recently launched their business
Free, immersive 10-session entrepreneurship bootcamp that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to launch successful businesses in NYC.
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and a network of supportive peers, participants will:
- Refine business concepts by identifying their target market and discovering their competitive advantage
- Identify the components of a strong business plan by learning how to set realistic financial goals and manage business functions
- Determine the steps to profitability by building a branding and marketing strategy
- Identify potential sources of funding and develop a business pitch
To apply for NewVenture™, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a specific idea for a new business or have recently launched a business.
- At least two years of work experience; and
- Have conducted initial market research for your business, assessed the cost of your product and/or services, and identified your target customer.
FastTrac® NewVenture™ for the Female Entrepreneur
Focuses on topics, challenges, and resources relevant to women entrepreneurs
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and a network of supportive peers, participants will:
- Refine business concepts by identifying their target market and discovering their competitive advantage
- Identify the components of a strong business plan by learning how to set realistic financial goals and manage business functions
- Determine the steps to profitability by building a branding and marketing strategy
- Identify potential sources of funding and develop a business pitch
To apply for NewVenture™ for the Female Entrepreneur, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a specific idea for a new business or have recently launched a business;
- At least two years of work experience; and
- Have conducted initial market research for your business, assessed the cost of your product and/or services, and identified your target customer.
FastTrac® NewVenture™ 50+
Focuses on topics, challenges, and resources relevant to women entrepreneurs aged 50 years or older; presented in partnership with WE NYC and women.nyc
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and a network of supportive peers, participants in this specialized version of FastTrac® NewVenture™ for the Female Entrepreneur will:
- Refine business concepts by identifying their target market and discovering their competitive advantage
- Identify the components of a strong business plan by learning how to set realistic financial goals and manage business functions
- Determine the steps to profitability by building a branding and marketing strategy
- Identify potential sources of funding and develop a business pitch
- Leverage your extensive personal and professional experiences to launch a profitable business
To apply for NewVenture™ 50+, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a specific idea for a new business or have recently launched a new business;
- At least two years of work experience; and
- Have conducted initial market research for your business, assessed the cost of your product and/or services, and identified your target customer.
FastTrac® TechVenture™
Focuses on topics, challenges, and resources relevant to aspiring technology entrepreneurs
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and a network of supportive peers, participants will:- Refine business concepts by identifying their target market and discovering their competitive advantage
- Identify the components of a strong business plan by learning how to set realistic financial goals and manage business functions
- Determine the steps to profitability by building a branding and marketing strategy
- Identify potential sources of funding and develop a business pitch
- Test their business product/service and assess its financial and technological viability
- Have an informed, tech-based idea for a new business or have recently launched a business;
- At least two years of work experience; and
- Have conducted initial market research for your business, assessed the cost of your product and/or services, and identified your target customer.
FastTrac® GrowthVenture™
FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ is a free, immersive eight-session entrepreneurship bootcamp that provides owners of operating businesses with the knowledge and skills they need to drive sales and strategically grow their businesses.
SBS offers both general and specialized GrowthVenture™ courses:
FastTrac® GrowthVenture™:
For business owners who are currently operating businesses
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and other successful entrepreneurs, participants will:
- Analyze their current business models and create an action plan for growth
- Identify methods to strengthen their existing products/services
- Use techniques to improve financial performance
- Identify potential sources of funding and refine their business pitch
To apply for FastTrac® GrowthVenture™, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a business that has been operating for at least a year
- Demonstrate market potential by providing an estimate of the maximum sales of their product/service
Apply for FastTrac® GrowthVenture™
FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ for Veterans:
For veterans who currently own and operate businesses
This course helps veterans apply skills they developed in the military to growing a successful and profitable business. In this course, veterans will:
- Analyze their current business model;
- Strengthen their existing products/services;
- Improve their business’s profits and financial performance;
- Discover how to navigate government processes/access resources and incentives available exclusively to veteran entrepreneurs; and
- Create an action plan for growth.
To apply for GrowthVenture™ for Veterans, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have served at least one day in the active U.S. Military – including the Reserves and National Guard;
- Have a business that has been operating for at least a year; and
- Provide an estimate of the maximum sales of a product/service (demonstrated market potential)
BE NYC Start up Intensive
BE NYC Startup Intensive is a free, 40-hour intensive instructional course based on the FastTrac® curriculum that provides Black entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to launch and run successful businesses in NYC.
The program features the unique perspectives of thriving Black entrepreneurs across the five boroughs, which is complemented by research-based content and data that highlights the success and growth potential of newly launched Black firms.
With the guidance of experienced facilitators, business experts, and a network of supportive peers, participants will:
- Learn techniques to overcome barriers such as limited access to capital, atypical work experience, and continuing education needs
- Learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and refine their business concepts
- Identify the components of a strong business plan
- Gain the knowledge and skills they need to launch a profitable business, including identifying existing opportunities, organizations, and resources available for Black entrepreneurs in NYC
BE NYC Startup Intensive is administered in the following two tracks:
- General track: This track targets all Black entrepreneurs, providing knowledge and skills needed to run a successful business in NYC.
- Women entrepreneurs track: This track features the unique perspectives of thriving Black women entrepreneurs across the five boroughs and focuses on topics, challenges, and resources relevant to Black women entrepreneurs.
To apply for BE NYC Startup Intensive, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a specific idea for a new business or have recently launched a business;
- Have at least two years of work experience; and
- Have conducted initial market research for your business, assessed the cost of your product and/or services, and identified your target customer.