Small Business & Entrepreneur Services

City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) partners with the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center and the Pace SBDC to offer virtual small business legal clinics. These clinics, conducted by NELP, are an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a team of pro bono attorneys to discuss legal issues related to their small businesses, such as intellectual property rights, contracts/agreements, business structure and incorporation, commercial leasing and more. Click here for future clinic dates and programming. 

To contact the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project, call 212.382.6633 or email nelp@nycbar.org

In New York City, MWBE certification provides access to valuable resources, including government contracting opportunities, financial assistance programs, and networking events.

Join our MWBE clinics and learn about:

• Certification program overview
• Registering in the Payee Information Portal (PIP)
• Registering for product service (NIGP) codes
• Starting a MWBE certification application

Participants will also have the opportunity to work with someone one-on-one after the informational presentation to begin the application process or address specific questions.

• To register for an upcoming clinic at one of our local branches: https://bit.ly/MWBEatBPL
• To make an appointment to get one-one help at MWBE Office Hours, available on the SECOND Tuesday of the month in the Business & Career Center, email brooklyn-bsc@nycbusiness-solutions.com. Office hours start in December 2024 and end in June 2025.

Brought to you by the Business & Career Center in partnership with NYC Small Business Services (SBS), the Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC) and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Ready to start or grow your business? Need help in your native language? Get one-on-one support at the Brooklyn Public Library.

Whether you're just getting started or already running a small business, we can help you find the resources to:

• Register your business
• Access loans or grants
• Apply for permits
• And more!

 View the list of upcoming sessions on our calendar.

Business assistance providers are nonprofit organizations that offer suggestions to small businesses on a wide range of planning, financial and operational issues. If you are looking to start a business, these are the places you would turn to for practical counseling, business mentoring and coaching. Appointments need to be made with the agencies directly.

Download a list of business assistance providers that serve Brooklyn, New York.

Check Empire State Development's Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, including their directory of Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers. for additional organizations that offer services to individuals wishing to start or expand their business in New York State.

For online guidance for on how to start a business in New York or New York City, accessing financing programs and contracting opportunities, check the NYC MyCity Business Portal.