Get Business From NYC and NYS Government: M/WBE Certification
2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-01-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-02-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Online, NY, United States
Learn about getting certified as a Minority / Woman-owned Business Enterprise with NYC & NYS, what you will need to do to obtain government contracts, and how you can leverage your certification to get more business at this free online webinar.
About the Speaker
Since coming to QEDC, Ricardi Calixte has worked with many neighborhoods’ business organizations to help improve the local economy. He spearheaded the development of Corona Plaza, transforming an under-utilized area into one of the borough’s foremost pedestrian plazas. He works closely with merchant groups, foundations, and government agencies to help local communities reach their potential.
A native of Haiti, Ricardi graduated from New York City public schools and has a BA degree in Economics, an MA in Africana Studies, and an MRP in Urban Planning from SUNY Albany. He is a CORO Fellow. He lives Queens and is the proud father of a daughter and son.

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.

Risk Management
2025-10-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Take a deeper look at how to protect your business from financial risk while expanding your opportunities. This class covers debt management, diversification, hedging, and how to branch out sales channels without exposing your business to unnecessary risk.

Legal Business Structures and Their Financial Implications
2025-10-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Choosing the right business structure can save you money and protect your assets. This session explains the pros and cons of LLCs, corporations, and sole proprietorships—and how each affects taxes, liability, and funding eligibility.

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

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Tax Planning
2025-10-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Get the essentials of keeping accurate books, understanding financial statements, and preparing for tax season. You’ll learn simple systems to track income and expenses and stay compliant while maximizing deductions.

QuickBooks Implementation
2025-11-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Learn how to set up and use QuickBooks to manage your finances with confidence. This hands-on session walks you through organizing transactions, generating reports, and streamlining your bookkeeping workflow.

Business Funding Options
2025-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Explore a range of funding paths, from traditional loans and grants to angel investors and crowdfunding. You’ll leave with clarity on which options fit your business stage, goals, and financial profile.

SBA Lending
2025-11-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Gain insider insights into SBA lending programs, including eligibility, documentation, and how to position your business for approval. This session demystifies SBA loans so you can take your next step toward growth.

Ready, Set, Go!
2025-11-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:00
About the Webinar:

Ready, Set, Go! is a 90-minute free workshop that covers all the things you need to think about when going into business. It provides a general overview of what it takes to start a business; legal considerations and what it takes to fund a new venture.

About the Speaker:
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Roy Pellicano ran an IT services company for over 15 years working with small and mid-sized businesses across all industries, from the single computer Mom & Pop to the 63 location company. In addition to supporting IT, Roy advises business teams developing and implementing strategy across the business lifecycle from start-up to exit, including how to implement business and technology transformation.

Current State of the VC Market
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00
​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.

Industry-Specific Financing
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Different industries have different funding pathways. Learn how to identify and pursue financing opportunities that are tailored to your sector – whether you’re in retail, manufacturing, tech, or services.

Developing Financial Resilience and Scaling Strategies
2025-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Online, NY, United States
Build the financial habits and strategies that help your business weather challenges and grow sustainably. You’ll learn how to plan for uncertainty, manage cash flow, and scale without overextending.

Access to Capital: Meet the Lenders
2025-11-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Queens Borough Hall, Helen Marshall Cultural Center, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, NY, 11424, United States
Overview
Looking to fund your next stage of growth? Join us for our Access to Capital event, a half-day opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect directly with banks, microlenders, and alternative funders to explore financing options for their business.
This event is designed for seasoned business owners who are ready to scale and want to understand what it takes to qualify for funding, strengthen their financial documents, and build relationships with lenders who actively support small businesses in NYC.

Event Format
10:00 AM – 11:30 PM | Lender Fair
Walk through our open fair to meet and network with 20–25 banks, CDFIs, and community lenders. Learn about their products, loan requirements, and funding programs. Get insider knowledge on what types of businesses and industries each lender specializes in, and gather valuable materials to take home.
11:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Speed Mentorship Sessions
After exploring the fair, sign up for 15-minute one-on-one sessions with lenders to discuss your financing needs in more depth. Bring your financial documents—such as tax returns, profit & loss statements, or business plans—to receive personalized feedback on what you may qualify for and what to strengthen before applying.

What You’ll Walk Away With

Direct connections to lenders who are actively lending to small businesses
Clarity on which funding option best fits your business stage
Actionable feedback on your financial readiness and loan application
Confidence to move forward toward financing with the right partner

This event is supported by grants provided by Empire State Development Corporation.

Fundraising 101: Building Relationships, Preparing Your Pitch, and Navigating the VC Process
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
Raising venture capital can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s market where investors are more selective and fundraising cycles are longer.
​Join us for a practical session where we will discuss:

How to build relationships early and stay on the radar before your raise

​How to craft a pitch that balances big vision with financial discipline.

​What should a typical fundraise process look like, broadly?

​What are some key lessons learned and watch-outs?

Building with Metrics in Mind
2025-11-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​Building a successful company isn’t just about vision—it’s about grounding that vision in the right numbers. Building with Metrics in Mind is a workshop designed to help founders understand why metrics matter, what they actually measure, and how to use them to make smarter decisions.
​In this workshop, we will discuss:
​Join us for a practical session where we will discuss:

​As a reminder – what makes a successful business, whether or not you fundraise?

​Why are metrics important? What do they really actually measure?

​Demystify the most important metrics, like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Cost of Goods Sold (CGS), and Unit of Economics.

​Understand these important metrics in real-world context – which are most important for which parts of the customer discovery and product building process?

2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Info Session
2025-12-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​Join us for the 2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Info Session, where participants can learn the steps needed to take part, from meeting the requirements to submitting a strong application.

Empire State of Security: Holiday Readiness for Local Businesses
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Online, NY, United States
​As the holiday season approaches, local businesses face a unique set of security challenges — from late-night hours and crowded stores to increased deliveries and cash transactions.
​Join us for a practical session where the CEO of Empire Security & Protection will share practical, easy-to-implement strategies to keep your business, staff, and customers safe during the busiest time of year.
​You will learn how to:

​Improve lighting and position cameras effectively to deter theft and enhance visibility.
​Create a quick, actionable staff security checklist to reinforce daily awareness.
​Train employees to recognize suspicious behavior and manage difficult situations calmly.
​Maintain a safe, welcoming environment without disrupting the customer experience.
​Wrap up with a Q&A session to address your specific security questions and challenges.

Queens Startup Holiday Social
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Greater Nexus, 89-14 Parsons Blvd, Jamaica, NY, 11432, United States
business owners while celebrating the season together

Celebrate the holidays with the Queens tech and innovation community! 🎉 Join us for a festive evening filled with networking, connection, and good cheer as we bring together founders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners from across Queens. You’ll also get a chance to learn more about the 2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge – designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs grow their businesses with five grants up to $20k each, access to industry experts and our founders network
Come celebrate the season and the spirit of innovation in Queens! Some appetizers and drinks will be provided!

2-Part Workshop: From First Taste to Loyal Fans: Grow Repeat Customers Organically – Session 1
2026-01-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States
​​​This is the 1st session of a 2-part workshop. It is designed for early-stage food and beverage founders who want to organically grow repeat buyers, strengthen brand affinity, and create a product that customers remember, crave, and reorder — all without relying on paid ads.

2-Part Workshop: From First Taste to Loyal Fans: Grow Repeat Customers Organically – Session 2
2026-01-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Online, NY, United States

Ready, Set, Go!
2026-01-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:00
About the Webinar:

Ready, Set, Go! is a 90-minute free workshop that covers all the things you need to think about when going into business. It provides a general overview of what it takes to start a business; legal considerations and what it takes to fund a new venture.

About the Speaker:

Roy Pellicano ran an IT services company for over 15 years working with small and mid-sized businesses across all industries, from the single computer Mom & Pop to the 63 location company. In addition to supporting IT, Roy advises business teams developing and implementing strategy across the business lifecycle from start-up to exit, including how to implement business and technology transformation.

Build in Queens, Startup Networking Night
2026-01-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Leo’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, 84-19 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY, 11372, United States
Join us for a fun evening to connect with fellow founders, small business entrepreneurs and start your year strong!

Kick off 2026 with inspiration, connection, and fresh momentum! Join us for a fun evening with local entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to start the year strong.
You’ll also get an inside look at the 2026 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge, a program designed to help early-stage founders grow their businesses through grants of up to $20,000, expert support, and access to our vibrant founders network.
Come meet the people who are building what’s next in Queens.
Appetizers and drinks will be provided!

Cashflow Mastery
2026-02-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Online, NY, United States
Cash is the lifeblood of your business. It doesn’t matter how much buzz you have or how nice your projections are – if you don’t have the money in the bank to make payroll and keep the lights on, then your business is in jeopardy.
Let’s fix that. Please join us on Wednesday, February 25 at 2:00PM for the first of several special financial education webinars presented by Finli, in partnership with Flagstar Bank – free for NYC small business owners.
This first session tackles the fundamental challenge that causes more business failures than any other: cash flow management. Attendees will learn how to distinguish between profit and cash flow, build systems to predict and manage their cash position, and create the financial stability needed to weather uncertainty and pursue growth opportunities.
Here’s what you’ll learn:

How to forecast your cash position 30–90 days ahead so there are fewer surprises
Why profitable businesses still experience cash crunches — and how to avoid them
How timing gaps between invoices, payments, and deposits affect day-to-day stability
Practical ways to prepare for slower months without panic or emergency borrowing
