QEDC

Speak to Influence: Elevating Entrepreneurial Success Through Vocal Presence
2024-01-23 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | NY
As an entrepreneur, you’re speaking/pitching to customers, investors, partners and trying to captivate an audience all the time. Have you wondered about how to make your message more resonating or how to make people more interested in what you say? The answer often isn’t about what you’re saying but the way you say it. Introducing “Speak to Influence: Elevating Entrepreneurial Success Through Vocal Presence” workshop. Our voice coach will provide expert guidance and tailored exercises to help you explore the nuances of vocal delivery, refine their articulation, and speak with resonance. Whether leading a team meeting or speaking in a podcast, this workshop will empower you to harness the potential of your voice as a catalyst for success in the business world.

Fundraising Unlocked: How to Raise From VCs in 2024
2024-01-31 13:00 - 14:30 | NY
​Are you a startup founder looking to raise venture capital this year? ​Do you want to decipher all the games and strategies that go into the fundraising process? ​​Are you looking to learn how fundraising has changed since last year? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, this workshop is for you.
​Join us for an exciting 90-min workshop with Jason Yeh who will provide insightful guidance on how to prepare for a fundraise.

2024 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Info Session
2024-02-06 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
​​Presented by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Economic Development Corporation, the 2024 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with five $20K grants, access to industry experts and founder network. Its flexible schedule allows participants to join at any time between October 2022 to February 2023.
​​The multi-month program offers high-level entrepreneurial classes, one-on-one office hours with QEDC advisors, networking events with startup founders, and FIVE $20,000 grants.
​​Participants can compete in FIVE categories: 1) Consumer tech, 2)Enterprise Tech, 3) Sustainability, 4)Food & Bev, 5)Community
​​In this information session, the program director will explain the eligibility, application process and answer all of your questions.

Tactics and Strategies for Succeeding in the New World of AI-Powered Business
2024-02-13 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
​​​​Whether you’re a startup founder, small business entrepreneur, or professional, navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI has become essential for sustained success. Join us for an exciting workshop where you will have a behind-the-scenes look at how AI-first businesses are operating differently, from the individual to the team and organization-wide levels. As a former research data scientist, Rachel will walk through lesser known tactics and AI use cases that she is putting to work in their business and with her clients. You’ll walk away with tangible ways to push the envelope more in how you use AI in your work and business.

2024 Queens Tech+ Innovation Challenge Application Assistance Session
2024-02-20 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
The 2024 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is due on March 1, 2024 at Midnight. As the deadline is approaching, we’re hosting two Q&A sessions in February to assist you during the application process. Our program director Sarah Liu will be leading each session and answer any questions you have and hopefully provide the resources you need to complete the application.

2024 Queens Tech+ Innovation Challenge Application Assistance Session
2024-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
​​​The 2024 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is due on March 1, 2024 at Midnight. As the deadline is approaching, we’re hosting two Q&A sessions in February to assist you during the application process. Our program director Sarah Liu will be leading each session and answer any questions you have and hopefully provide the resources you need to complete the application.

Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Kick Off Night
2024-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Cobblestones Pub and Biergarten, 117-18 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY, 11375, United States
Presented by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Economic Development Corporation, the 2025 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with up to five $20K grants, access to industry experts and our founders network. The flexible schedule allows participants to join at any time between October 2024 and February 2025.
At the kick-off event you will learn the details of the competition, as well as hear from last year’s winners. Light refreshments will be served.
Come on down! It’s time to take your business to the next level, and we’re here to help.

2025 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Info Session
2024-10-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​​Presented by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Economic Development Corporation, the 2024 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with five $20K grants, access to industry experts and founder network. Its flexible schedule allows participants to join at any time between October 2024 to February 2025.
​​The multi-month program offers high-level entrepreneurial classes, one-on-one office hours with QEDC advisors, networking events with startup founders, and FIVE $20,000 grants.
​​Participants can compete in FIVE categories: 1) Consumer tech, 2)Enterprise Tech, 3) Sustainability, 4)Food & Bev, 5)Community
​​In this information session, the program director will explain the eligibility, application process and answer all of your questions.

How Do We Get Customers?
2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
How do we get customers? Well, first thing is first – you need to know what customers you’re going after! We will talk about Market Sizing and why it’s not just something that investors are checking off their list. We will then talk about how you acquire those customers through Growth Channels.
About the Speaker
Katie Nowak is an innovation leader, new venture designer, and investor. She is consistently celebrated as a game-changer for executive entrepreneurs looking to clearly articulate their message, raise money, and commercialize their products. As Founder and Partner of Kanvas, Katie has helped organizations raise over $100M in early-stage investments for ventures around the world. She is also a Principal investor at HF Scale Partners, a late-stage investment fund with a portfolio spanning Canva, Databricks, Webflow, Anduril, and more. Katie is an avid mentor and advisor with the Venture Mentoring Team, the U.S. National Science Foundation, Plug and Play Korea, and more. In the 25th and 26th hours of her day, she is an avid equestrian and horse mom to her young thoroughbred, Roscoe. Katie splits her time between the Bay Area and New York City.

How Do We Make Money?
2024-11-13 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
You have the customers. You have the growth. Now, you need to figure out how to make money. We will go through some monetization models and also share how they can be a competitive advantage to your business.
About the Speaker
Katie Nowak is an innovation leader, new venture designer, and investor. She is consistently celebrated as a game-changer for executive entrepreneurs looking to clearly articulate their message, raise money, and commercialize their products. As Founder and Partner of Kanvas, Katie has helped organizations raise over $100M in early-stage investments for ventures around the world. She is also a Principal investor at HF Scale Partners, a late-stage investment fund with a portfolio spanning Canva, Databricks, Webflow, Anduril, and more. Katie is an avid mentor and advisor with the Venture Mentoring Team, the U.S. National Science Foundation, Plug and Play Korea, and more. In the 25th and 26th hours of her day, she is an avid equestrian and horse mom to her young thoroughbred, Roscoe. Katie splits her time between the Bay Area and New York City.

How Do I Know If I’m Profitable?
2024-11-20 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
You have growth. You have customers. Now you need to know – am I profitable?
Here, we will introduce you to the costs of your business. We will define Costs of Goods Sold, and common mistakes founders make with these. We will also discuss Operational Expenditures – that’s things like your talent and foundational business costs.
You can have customers, you can be revenue positive, and still not be profitable. Costs matter! And they’re not as scary as you think.
About the Speaker
Katie Nowak is an innovation leader, new venture designer, and investor. She is consistently celebrated as a game-changer for executive entrepreneurs looking to clearly articulate their message, raise money, and commercialize their products. As Founder and Partner of Kanvas, Katie has helped organizations raise over $100M in early-stage investments for ventures around the world. She is also a Principal investor at HF Scale Partners, a late-stage investment fund with a portfolio spanning Canva, Databricks, Webflow, Anduril, and more. Katie is an avid mentor and advisor with the Venture Mentoring Team, the U.S. National Science Foundation, Plug and Play Korea, and more. In the 25th and 26th hours of her day, she is an avid equestrian and horse mom to her young thoroughbred, Roscoe. Katie splits her time between the Bay Area and New York City.
Click here to RSVP.

Queens Tech Night 2024
2024-11-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Culture LAb LlC, 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY, 11101, United States
Queens Tech Night returns for 2024 with a special meetup celebrating storytelling in, of, and for New York City. On Tuesday, November 26, join 200+ other incredible creators and innovators at The Culture Lab in LIC for our latest event, featuring talks, community partners, and more.
This event always sells out – so book your tickets while you still can.
Click here to RSVP.

Crafting Your Founder Brand: Attracting Investors, Partners, and Talent with Ease
2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
Learn how to set your business apart with business development strategist Julie Zhu. In this workshop, learn the best ways to promote yourself and make valuable connections.
Click here to RSVP

Master the Art of Meta Marketing in the AI Era
2024-12-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Online, NY, United States
Social media has evolved. The ability to adapt and excel in this changing landscape is crucial. If you’re looking to enhance your Meta marketing strategy, you’ve come to the right place. Our webinar on ‘Advanced Meta Strategies’ demystifies the intricacies of successful Facebook & Instagram campaigns, from their structure to their scheduling.
​​Let’s delve into the art of creating a cohesive advertising strategy, marrying the benefits of organic reach and paid promotion. We will introduce modern tools and techniques that leverage targeting, AI, and creative innovations for optimal Meta Ad success.
Click Here to RSVP.

Unlocking Your First Startup Investment: Founder’s Insights and Winning Strategies to Attract Initial Capital
2024-12-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​Join us for an exciting workshop to explore the essential steps to secure your first round of funding. With insights from a successful founder, you will learn how to build relationships with potential investors and navigate the startup funding landscape with confidence.
Click Here to RSVP.

Food and Beverage Production: An Overview
2025-01-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​​​Learn all the steps to sell a food or beverage product made at home or at a commercial kitchen. This course will introduce you to every aspect of the business, from determining if there is a demand for your product all the way to how to make sales. Master skills like navigating regulations, working with a co-packer, developing proper packaging, and more.
Click Here to RSVP

2025 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Info Session
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
In this information session, the program director will explain the eligibility, application process and answer all of your questions about the 2025 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge, where people compete for one of five grants for up to $20,000 for their small business.
Click Here to RSVP

How to Create Win-Win Partnerships to Grow Your D2C Brand
2025-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
In this interactive workshop, you’ll discover how strategic partnerships can exponentially grow your D2C brand without relying heavily on ads.
Click here to RSVP.

Unlock the Power of AI for Your Business!
2025-01-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Online, NY, United States
​Are you an entrepreneur looking to streamline your business processes and save time? Join us for an insightful presentation on “Maximizing Business Efficiency with AI Tools.”
​Discover the top areas where AI can make a difference—like social media management, proposal writing, process optimization, and more—and explore some AI tools to help your small business develop. Whether you’re new to AI or ready to take the next step, this session will provide practical tips and strategies to help your business thrive in the digital age.
​Don’t miss this opportunity to transform the way you work!
Click Here to RSVP!

From Clicks to Conversions: Proven Strategies to Transform Your E-Commerce Site
2025-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​​In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, having a visually appealing website isn’t enough—your site needs to convert visitors into loyal customers. Join this dynamic session designed for startup entrepreneurs and learn actionable strategies to increase sales, enhance user experience, and optimize your sales funnel.
Click Here to RSVP

Show Up and Stand Out: An Intro to Trade Show Success
2025-01-29 13:00 - 17:00 | Online, NY, United States
​​Ready to grow your food brand at trade shows? This class covers everything you need to get started, from selecting the best events to setting up a standout booth and engaging attendees with confidence. Walk away with actionable insights to help you exhibit successfully and build your business.
Click Here to RSVP!

Practical AI and Technology Tools to Streamline Your Small Business, Beyond ChatGPT
2025-01-30 12:00 - 13:00 | NY
​Learn how your small business can harness the latest AI tools beyond just ChatGPT. We’ll explore practical ways AI can automate day-to-day tasks, such as meeting transcription, organizing client notes, and managing workflows. This session will show how modern AI tools can help save time and improve efficiency without requiring extensive tech skills. It’s about making AI work for you, not just talking to a chatbot. Tools covered will include, Zapier, Notion, Zoom and Augie.
Click Here to RSVP

Meet the Competition: Entrepreneur Networking with QTIC
2025-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Greater Nexus, 89-14 Parsons Blvd, Jamaica, NY, 11432, United States
​Whether you are participating in the Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge or not, this event is not one to be missed. Meet your fellow entrepreneurs to forge connections that will be able to help your business. And, if that doesn’t appeal to you, you can also enjoy the free snacks and beverages we’ll have as well. See you there!
Click Here to RSVP!

Fraud & Cyber Security Seminar
2025-02-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​This webinar covers essential fraud and cybersecurity basics for small businesses, teaching practical steps to protect against threats. Learn how to identify vulnerabilities, prevent data breaches, and safeguard finances. This session is vital for small business owners to ensure long-term security, protect customer trust, and avoid costly disruptions.
Email RetailEvents@FlushingBank.com by 2/11/25 to RSVP.

2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Kick Off Night
2025-09-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Cobblestones Pub and Biergarten, 117-18 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY, 11375, United States
Presented by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Queens Economic Development Corporation, the 2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with five grants up to $20K, access to industry experts and our founders network. The flexible schedule allows participants to join at any time between October 2025 and February 2026.
At the kick-off event you will learn the details of the competition, as well as hear from last year’s winners. Light refreshments will be served.
Come on down! It’s time to take your business to the next level, and we’re here to help.
To learn more about the program, please visit our website at www.queensstartup.org

Get Found by AI: A Practical Guide to Generative Engine Optimization
2025-10-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​As search engines evolve into AI-driven answer engines, traditional SEO is no longer enough. Join us for an exciting workshop with the marketing wizard Emily Singer. In this workshop, Emily will introduce you to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — a new approach to increasing visibility in AI-generated results.
​You’ll learn:

How what Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is and how it differs from SEO

​Gain an understanding of what goes into GEO (and what doesn’t!) and how to optimize for answer engines

​Discover how to implement AI-optimized marketing programs from day one

Copywriting in the Age of AI
2025-10-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are transforming how we approach copywriting — but knowing when and how to use them effectively is key. Join us for an exciting workshop with the marketing wizard Emily Singer. In this workshop, you will:
​1. Understand what tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are good at and where they fall short
​2. Identify touch points and moments that benefit from human involvement and where it’s appropriate to delegate to AI
​3. Learn how to create specific, high-context prompts to generate better outputs

Queens Tech Night 2025
2025-10-21 18:30 - 21:00 | Culture LAb LlC, 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY, 11101, United States
Queens Tech Night returns for 2025 with a special meetup celebrating New York in motion. On Tuesday, October 21, join 200+ other incredible creators and innovators at The Culture Lab in LIC for our latest event, featuring talks, community partners, and more.
This event always sells out – so book your tickets while you still can.

Contracts 101: What Every Early-Stage Business Needs to Know
2025-10-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​Contracts don’t have to be overwhelming. In this interactive presentation, Attorney Melanie Cunningham will break down the essentials of contracts so you can protect your business and set yourself up for growth. We’ll cover:

​Contract fundamentals – what makes an agreement enforceable and why it matters.

​Key clauses – the terms you can’t afford to overlook.

​Must-have contracts for small businesses

Current State of the VC Market
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
​Venture capital is shifting fast, and founders need to know how to adapt. Join us for an in-depth look at the current state of the VC market, where you will learn:

​The $100B Question: Where is the funding actually going each quarter, and which sectors are receiving the most capital and which sectors are cooling down?

​Four Big Themes: The dominant funding trends shaping this year’s venture landscape.

​The Why Behind the Trends: what macroeconomic trends are driving these funding themes, and why are they here to stay?

​Founder’s Perspective: What the current VC environment means for your fundraising process, investor conversations, and deal terms.
