Events
Upcoming Training Programs
NELP Cybersecurity
March 11, 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 Cybersecurity.
This presentation will guide small business owners through the fundamentals of why cybersecurity matters, outline high-level cybersecurity and privacy obligations, and highlight practical steps to protect both their business and customers. The session will also cover how to respond effectively in the event of a cybersecurity incident.
NELP Small Business Legal Clinic
March 12, 2026, From 4:30 PM (EST)
The Pace University Small Business Development Center is partnering with the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project to offer small business legal clinics. These clinics provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive free legal advice during a 45-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney.
Please complete the form so we can gather more information and attempt to match your legal needs with a volunteer attorney on the day of the clinic.
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.
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, 2:00 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)
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.
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
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: $5K New York Grant Information Session
March 10, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses based in New York to help them sustain and grow their businesses.
To be eligible, you must:
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Be a for-profit, U.S.-based business with a primary address in New York.
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Be 18 years of age or older.
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Be able to provide necessary business and financial documentation if selected as a finalist.
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Unlock and submit your application by 11:59 PM PT on March 31, 2026. The first step to apply is to complete one Digital Ready course or event between January 1 and March 31, 2026.
Grow-NY Information Session
March 18, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Grow-NY provides funding, expert mentorship, business development support, and unmatched exposure to investors and industry partners. Up to 20 finalists will be selected to compete for a $1 million grand prize, with $3 million in total funding awarded to seven standout startups.
Interested companies are encouraged to attend an upcoming virtual information session hosted by the Grow-NY team to learn more about the program and get tips on how to craft a competitive application.
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.
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.