Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP)

The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) was created in New York State by the NYS Omnibus Economic Development Act of 1987. Since its inception, the EAP initiative has helped entrepreneurs create new businesses and has provided in-depth assistance to minorities, women and dislocated workers interested in starting a business.

The EAP establishes centers in local communities to provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to individuals who have recently started their own business or are interested in starting a business. The program’s EAP centers are strategically located throughout the State.

EAP assists new and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing basic business management skills, refining business concepts, devising early-stage marketing plans and preparation of action plans. In addition, the program actively assists EAP client efforts to obtain business financing. Two thirds of the centers operate or are formally affiliated with a micro-loan fund.

A typical EAP center provides the following in-depth services to owners and operators of start-up businesses:

• Counseling on the feasibility of starting a business
• Assistance in refining a business concept and developing a business plan
• Education in established management principals and practices
• In-depth business counseling in product development and marketing
• Guidance in exporting, contract procurement and licensing
• One-on-one counseling in identifying and accessing capital and credit
• Access to business support networks
• Ongoing and continued technical assistance to program graduates including linkages to other small business services.

For information on a specific center, click the appropriate region name below:

• New York City
• Long Island
• Mid-Hudson
• Capital District
• North Country
• Mohawk Valley
  
• Finger Lakes
• Western New York
• Southern Tier