Looking for help starting or growing a business? These trusted partners offer coaching, training, funding guidance, and tools—often at no cost. Click a resource to learn more or contact them.
Small Business Owner’s Toolkit
Starting and running a business is exciting but comes with financial challenges. Whether you’re launching, managing cash flow, or securing funding, these resources will help you navigate every step with confidence.
Incubator Works
Incubator Works provides mentorship, hands-on education, and cohort-based programming designed to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. Their programs are offered both in person and online and emphasize peer connection, practical learning, and participation in a supportive local entrepreneurial community.
Members interested in business support are encouraged to visit their website, email Filomena Jack at fjack@incworks.org, or call 607-962-6387. Program updates and events are also shared on Facebook at facebook.com/IncubatorWorks.
Amplify Equity
Amplify Equity supports community development by promoting equity and opportunity for people of color, women, justice-impacted, low-income and other historically marginalized communities through financial assistance, education, and mentoring.
Contact Shasta Savage, Business Navigator, shasta@amplifyequity.com
Business Leaders of Colors (BLOC)
Business Leaders of Colors is a network of business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, and social justice leaders, all focused on helping You succeed in business. Our community provides a service that’s growing to help you connect, learn, and access shared resources.
REDEC
REDEC/RRC is the Southern Tier’s oldest nonprofit revolving loan fund, helping businesses in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Tioga Counties access the capital and guidance they need to grow.
Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming
Groundswell empowers people from diverse backgrounds with skills, knowledge, and access to resources—so communities can work together to build a more just, sustainable food system.
Shared Kitchen Ithaca
Shared Kitchen Ithaca is a not-for-profit, grassroots, economic and community development movement working to bring together the facility, resources and people to bridge this gap by establishing an affordable and accessible commercial kitchen space run as a shared-use kitchen.
CCE Tompkins
CCE-Tompkins offers a continuum of education and resources that addresses food systems in a holistic way. By working at a food-system level, CCE-Tompkins can respond to cross-cutting needs such as food safety, food access, local agriculture, and community infrastructure. Resources are available for farmers and consumers to help strengthen local and regional food systems.
SCORE Central NY
SCORE Central NY mentors are highly successful and seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs with the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your small business goals.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Offers confidential, no-cost advisement for new and existing businesses.
Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T)
AMT is a non-for-profit organization that works with small to midsized manufactures to help them become more productive, profitable, and globally competitive.
Start Small Think Big
Small businesses deserve the same advantages that big businesses get. Start Small Think Big connects entrepreneurs with a network of +2,400 skilled professionals, to receive some of the top legal, finance, and business growth expertise across the U.S. — all for free.
Downtown Ithaca Alliance
The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is a comprehensive downtown revitalization & management program engaged in 6 principal areas: Business Retention & Development, Marketing & Membership Services, Government Relations, Late-Night Economy, Environmental Infrastructure, Special Events, and Transportation.