Events
Upcoming Training Programs
NELP Commercial Leasing
April 7, 2026, From 4:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project and the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center to present Commercial Leasing.
This presentation will educate small business owners on key lease language and critical terms to carefully review and understand before signing a commercial lease, helping them make informed and confident leasing decisions.
NELP Remote Small Business Legal Clinic
April 9, 2026, 4:30 PM - 6:15 PM (EST)
The Business & Career Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) and Pace SBDC to offer a virtual small business legal clinic. This clinic, conducted by NELP, is 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.
NELP's small business legal clinics provide entrepreneurs free legal advice during a 45-minute consultation. Consultations will take place during one of two appointment times: 4:30-5:15 pm or 5:30-6:15 pm. Through the online registration form, you will be able to choose a preferred appointment time.
Non-Disclosure Agreements: When Should You Require an NDA, When Should You Sign an NDA
April 13, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host a webinar with Dr. Jessica A. Magaldi, where she will inform small business owners and entrepreneurs on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Attendees will learn about the importance and significance of elements including:
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Risks that an NDA can help mitigate (and risks that an NDA won’t mitigate)
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Understanding key contractual provisions of an NDA
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How to protect your small business with an NDA
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How to protect yourself as an individual who is asked to sign an NDA
Registration Deadline: 4/13/2026 11:30 AM (EST)
Contracts & Risk Management for Small Business Owners
April 20, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center will host a webinar with Dr. Jessica A. Magaldi to introduce small business owners and entrepreneurs to issues related to contracts and risk management, including the importance and significance of:
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Contracts and mutual assent
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Risks and responsibilities of the contractual relationship
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Assessing business risk for working with Letter Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Letters of Intent, and other less formal contract documents
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Understanding key contractual elements and clauses to mitigate risk and spot issues on which to seek legal assistance
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Working effectively with counsel.
Registration Deadline: 4/20/2026 11:30 AM (EST)
AI-Powered Finance: What Entrepreneurs Should Know Now
April 27, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Join this free online session to learn how artificial intelligence is transforming bookkeeping, accounting, and tax preparation for small businesses. Discover how AI can automate repetitive financial tasks, reduce common bookkeeping mistakes, and help business owners stay organized and tax-ready year-round.
The webinar will cover what AI in accounting really means, how to evaluate modern financial tools, and key risks and best practices to consider when adopting AI-powered solutions.
Presented by Ahad Ali, CPA, Co-Founder & CEO of Tabby.
NELP Intellectual Property
May 5, 2026, From 4:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project and the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center to present Intellectual Property.
This presentation will provide small business owners with a clear overview of intellectual property rights, including Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets, and Patents. The session will explore the process of obtaining legally recognized IP protections and highlight common intellectual property pitfalls that microentrepreneurs should be aware of.
IN-PERSON: Building a New Business Website at the New York Public Library
May 13, 2026, From 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)
Join the Pace University SBDC for a no-cost, two-hour, IN-PERSON website building workshop at the New York Public Library’s Business Center at 455 Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
This workshop is an opportunity to begin building a website for your small business with the assistance of business advisors. We'll start by defining your website goals and sketching out the site on paper. Then, we'll get into choosing a platform, determining workflow, and the actual website building, and touch on website resources available through the Verizon Digital Ready program. All skill levels and stages of business are welcome.
IN-PERSON: Small Business Website Workday at the Brooklyn Public Library
May 19, 2026, From 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
Join the Pace University SBDC for a no-cost, two-hour, IN-PERSON website workday at the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, 2nd Floor.
This workshop is an opportunity to work on your small business' website with the assistance of business advisors. We’ll work together to create SEO friendly content, promotions and theming that encourage sales. and touch on website resources available through the Verizon Digital Ready program. All skill levels, industries, and stages of business are welcome. Be sure to have the username and password of your website handy to participate in this hands-on workshop
Sustainable Finance for Small Businesses
May 19, 2026, From 12:00 PM (EDT)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is hosting a webinar on Sustainable Finance for Small Businesses, featuring Professor Burcin Col from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business.
This presentation will introduce small business owners to the fundamentals of sustainable finance and explain why sustainability is becoming increasingly important in today’s financial landscape. The session will explore how sustainability factors can influence access to capital, relationships with lenders and investors, and long-term business performance. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning financial decisions with sustainability goals to enhance resilience, attract funding, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Sustainable Marketing for Small Businesses
May 27, 2026, From 12:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is hosting a webinar on Sustainable Marketing for Small Businesses, featuring Professor Canan Corus from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business.
This presentation will explore how sustainability is transforming modern marketing and why it has become essential for both large organizations and small businesses. The session will examine how environmental and social considerations influence consumer trust, brand positioning, and long-term growth opportunities. Attendees will gain practical ideas on how small businesses can leverage sustainability as a strategic advantage by building authentic customer connections, differentiating in competitive markets, and creating value with limited resources while integrating sustainability into their marketing efforts to drive behavior change and future-proof their brands.
NELP Business Entity Formation
June 9, 2026, From 4:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project and the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center to present Business Entity Formation.
This presentation will walk micro-entrepreneurs through different business structures—such as Sole Proprietorships, LLCs, and S-Corporations—and explain the key benefits and limitations of each, helping business owners choose the structure that best fits their goals.
NELP Contract Basics
July 14, 2026, From 4:00 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is partnering with the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project and the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center to present Contract Basics.
This presentation will cover the fundamentals of contracts for small business owners, including how to create a contract, key provisions to include, how to address contract breaches, and important tips and reminders to help protect and strengthen business relationships.
Upcoming Webinars from Partner Organizations
Navigating the NYS Contract Reporter: Accessing Opportunities and Maximizing Functionality
April 2, 2026 from 4:00 PM EDT
Learn how to maximize the NYS Contract Reporter’s functionalities to find contracts for services and products.
2026 PowerUP Business Plan Competition Virtual Kick-Off Orientation
April 2, 2026, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Be among the first to enter the 2026 PowerUP Business Plan Competition as it celebrates its 23rd year. This program offers Brooklyn-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for a $20,000 cash award to help start or grow their business.
Attendance at an orientation session is required to apply. Participants will learn about the competition structure, required classes, one-on-one business counseling, and how to develop a strong business plan.
Additional Orientation Sessions:
Sat, April 11 | 11am - 12:30pm
Mon, April 27 | 11am - 12:30pm
Lead support for PowerUP is made possible by Dime Community Bank. Additional funding is provided by Citizens Bank, Ridgewood Savings Bank, and Data Axle Reference Solutions.
From Plan to Plate: PowerUP Food Entrepreneur Panel
April 9, 2026, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST)
From business plan to real-world food business. Hear Brooklyn founders share how they developed their concept, navigated PowerUP, and launched ventures in the borough’s dynamic food scene.
Attendees will learn:
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How founders developed their food business concepts
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What the business planning and competition process involved
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Lessons from launching and operating a food business in Brooklyn
New York SBDC Business Training
For information and registration links to other free webinars offered by the NY Small Business Development Center network click here.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program provides small businesses with access to free training, valuable resources, and grant funding opportunities.
To get started, businesses sign up at Verizon Small Business Digital Ready by answering four quick questions, at which point you can access more than 60 free live and recorded training sessions on topics such as social media marketing, financial management, and customer engagement. Further, note that a range of courses are available in Spanish.
NYC BEST Boot Camp
The NYC Best Boot Camp offers a series of sessions to help small business owners understand permits, inspections, and licenses required to operate in New York City.
Participants can attend one or more sessions, each focused on practical, city-specific guidance.
All sessions are held virtually.
AI Exchange
The AI Exchange will be an alternating monthly program offering live webinars and roundtables on Artificial Intelligence and small business. All sessions are presented virtually.
All sessions are held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Webinar Topics:
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September 24th - AI Strategy Development: How to Get Ready to Use AI
Roundtable discussion sessions will be held on June 25th, August 26th, and October 29th.
Trademark Basics Boot Camp
Each Tuesday (Usually At 2pm ET) from January 9, 2024
This free USPTO event series provides a comprehensive overview of the process for federal trademark registration and maintaining a federal trademark. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur seeking to protect your brand and product identities, Trademark Basics Boot Camp is for you.
You can attend the entire series or just the modules that best match your interests, but you must sign up for each module to attend. If you attend all eight modules, you can request a certificate of attendance. To learn more and sign up, select an individual module from the listing below.
FastTrac
Numerous Days & Times
FastTrac® is a series of free multiple-session entrepreneurship bootcamps offered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) for aspiring and established entrepreneurs throughout New York City.
SBS offers both general and specialized NewVenture™ / GrowthVenture courses.
NYC Department of Small Business Services Webinars and Training
Numerous Days & Times
The NYC Department of Small Business Services’ NYC Business Solutions Centers offer small business training sessions in topics such as QuickBooks and Certifications. You can register for their free events and courses on Eventbrite.