Best Small Business Resources in the Rochester Area
Starting a business is a life-changing experience. New York has dozens of great resources to help entrepreneurs get started. Our team researched and vetted organizations in the Rochester area and compiled our list of recommended resources in this article.
You can also read our guide to starting a business in New York.
Resources Available in your Area
NextCorps
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
NextCorps is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering entrepreneurship in the finger lakes region of New York. This multifaceted organization has several distinct organizations that offer different forms of assistance. Specifically, NextCorps offers incubators, pitch competitions, manufacturing assistance, and an accelerator. Whatever your business venture is, chances are NextCorps offers a program that can help.
Restrictions
Specific programs have different restrictions.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
Center for Urban Entrepreneurship
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The CUE is operated by the Rochester Institute of Technology and offers several educational assistance programs geared towards entrepreneurs at different stages of the process. Some programs are multi-week courses that build specific skill sets, whereas workshops are day long events offering training on specific programs or business skills.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
Cowork @ Grid
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Description
Cowork @ Grid is a premier Rochester coworking space that combines coffee shop culture with office productivity. They offer flexible membership plans for drop-in space and dedicated desks. Their amenities include all of the standard coworking stuff (coffee, internet, and conference rooms). A unique offering at Cowork @ Grid is a knowledge base of carefully cultivated articles on dozens of business topics, from branding to budgeting and everything in between. Their knowledge base is online and open to the public.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
300 State Street , Suite 703
Rochester, NY 14614
805-500-8502
contact@gridnewyork.com
Rochester Public Library
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Offers Free Service
Accepts Walks In
Description
The Rochester and Monroe counties library system offers many free services that can be useful to someone starting a business. They host frequent events and classes on technology and business topics, most of which are free to the public. They have dedicated, recurring workshops on basic computer skills like word processing and internet use. Study and conference rooms are available for use on a first come, first served basis.
Restrictions
A library card may be required to access certain services.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth
CONTACT INFORMATION:
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
585-428-8130
HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
TUE: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
WED: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
THU: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
FRI: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
SAT: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Commissary (Opening mid-2018)
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
Description
The Commissary is a collaborative kitchen slated for a mid-2018 grand opening. They offer a fully equipped commercial kitchen and classes that help entrepreneurs through the permitting and regulations pertaining to food businesses.
Works with Companies in These Stages:
Idea
Planning
Startup
Growth