As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you’ll need support with validating and launching your concept. Read topics and questions to consider below, get in touch with your closest SBDC regional center, check out resources for idea phase entrepreneurs and find upcoming educational events on our calendar.
As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you may be wondering if your idea has market potential or adequately solves a real problem. An NYSBDC advisor can assist you in answering these questions by guiding you through initial research and identification of customer pain points to confirm that there is a demand for your business solution.
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You won’t be successful as an entrepreneur without a solid understanding of your business’s target market. NYSBDC advisors can offer instruction on defining customer personas, analyzing competitors, estimating market size, and determining if there’s enough of an audience for your product or service.
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You’ll want to refine your core value proposition as an idea-phase entrepreneur,. NYSBDC advisors can help you work through exactly what makes your solution unique, relevant, and valuable to customers.
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A clear, sustainable business model for your venture will maximize your chance of success at launch. NYSBDC advisors can aid you with identifying revenue streams, potential partnerships, and your initial cost structure.
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In the idea phase, you might need assistance in shaping the first version of your product or service. NYSBDC advisors can help you think through prototyping, feature prioritization, and developing a minimum viable product (MVP).
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If you need resources to start your venture, you may be wondering about how you can gain access to funding sources. NYSBDC advisors are skilled in matching up idea-phase entrepreneurs with potential early-stage capital solutions to purse, like grants, angel investments, crowdfunding, or bootstrapping options.
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If you are in the idea phase, you may not yet have thought through all the legal and administrative requirements to start your business. NYSBDC advisors can help you plan for business registration, regulatory requirements, intellectual property protection, contracts, and more. Advisors happily work in tandem with any legal professionals you may have.
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Establishing a network of contacts who can provide feedback, industry insights, and connections can be invaluable to you at this early stage. Opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs can stoke your motivation and provide useful partnerships. NYSBDC advisors are skilled in helping idea-phase entrepreneurs make critical connections.
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As an idea-phase entrepreneur, you may not yet have set up feedback loops. These are ways to test your ideas with people, gather feedback, and make adjustments before an official launch. NYSBDC advisors can assist you in planning effective feedback loops for your idea.
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You may not have officially launched your venture yet, but having a grasp on brand positioning, messaging, and early marketing channels will be very beneficial as you approach your launch. NYSBDC advisors can assist you in learning where and how to reach your target audience.
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You might be interested in figuring out how to better allocate limited resources, like time, money, and effort, to your business idea. NYSBDC advisors can help you set priorities and create timelines for your first steps.
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M Mon | T Tue | W Wed | T Thu | F Fri | S Sat | S Sun |
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0 events, | 5 events, What You Don’t Know Can Cost You: Merchant Services 101 for Small Businesses Small Business Human Resources UPMC Essential for Success Training – Multi-State Supplier Readiness Webinar Welcome to the SBDC Info Session Welcome to the SBDC Info Session | 3 events, Marketing Strategies with NeuroMarketing AI Starter Kit – Practical Tools for Small Businesses (2-Part Session) Resilience Strategies for Entrepreneurs & Sustainable Success webinar | 8 events, Grow & Fund – Weekly Business Booster (2-Part Series) Christine Curzio, owner, Simply Payments Buying an Existing Business Monthly Business Solutions Roundtable Monthly Business Solutions Roundtable Monthly Business Solutions Roundtable Christine Curzio, owner, Simply Payments Grow & Fund – Weekly Business Booster (2 Sessions) | 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, |
1 event, Welcome to the SBDC Info Session | 4 events, Fast Track to Small Business Workshop (In-Person & Online) NELP Business Entity Formation Government Contracting 101 Building Better Credit for Bigger Opportunities | Part 1 | 5 events, Grants for R & D : SBIR and STTR Business Valuation A Simple Recipe for Social Media Success Customer Segments & Why They Matter More Than You Think | 8 events, NELP Remote Small Business Legal Clinic Sales Tax Best Practices Storytelling, a Complete Marketing Tool Sales Tax Best Practices Business Start-up Basics & Planning- Small Business Seminars Is Entreprenuership for You? Is Entreprenuership for You? | |||
1 event, Fast Track to Small Business Workshop (In-Person & Online) | 5 events, IN PERSON: Website Workday at the New York Public Library Success Through Certification How to Start a Business Workshop Welcome to the SBDC Info Session | 8 events, Google Suite for Business Workshop AI Starter Kit – Practical Tools for Small Businesses (2-Part Session) Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Turn Clicks into Clients: Optimizing Your Website for Success Business Formation Small Business Digital Game Plan: Your Online Growth Playbook Brand Identity from the Inside Out Access To Capital | Capital to Grow, Confidence to Thrive | 4 events, Preparation for Holidays Sales Introduction to HR & Payroll Financing Your Small Business – Small Business Seminar Grow & Fund – Weekly Business Booster (2-Part Sessions) | 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, |
3 events, IN-PERSON: Website Workday at the Brooklyn Public Library “Hustle for Freedom” Business Bootcamp Welcome to the SBDC Info Session | 9 events, Building a Small Business Website Fund Your Business With Community Convenience Sells Content Creation Without the Overwhelm: Smart Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs Marketing to the Government Content Creation Without the Overwhelm: Smart Strategies for Busy Entrepreneurs Convenience Sells From Local to Global: Unlocking International Opportunities | 6 events, CPA Accounting Clinic Google Analytics: Learn what visitors are doing on your website and what is working and what is not EmpowerHER Expo 2025 Brand Positioning: Why Should Anyone Choose You? EmpowerHER Expo Invite 2025 | 3 events, AI Made Simple: Unlocking Growth for Small Businesses Artificial Intelligence Basics – Small Business Seminar | 2 events, | ||
1 event, “Hustle for Freedom” Business Bootcamp | 6 events, Crafting the Perfect 2-Minute Pitch Crafting the Perfect 3-Minute Pitch How to Respond to an RFP Non-Disclosure Agreements: When Should You Require an NDA, When Should You Sign an NDA Non-Disclosure Agreements: When Should You Require an NDA, When Should You Sign an NDA | 5 events, Business Entity Formation (with NELP) Business Entity Formation Workshop with NELP Business Legal Entity with NELP AI Starter Kit – Practical Tools for Small Businesses (2-Part Session) | 5 events, Bookkeeping Basics for Small Business Owners Bookkeeping Basics for Small Business Owners Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Business – Small Business Seminar Grow & Fund – Weekly Business Booster (2-Part Series) |
Our statewide network of 20 regional development centers and over 70 satellite locations is ready to help you take the next step. Find your center & start your SBDC journey.