Free Business Courses for Entrepreneurs from the NYC Department of Small Business Services

SoHo Broadway Partner: Let SBS help your business remotely via Coursera

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers FREE business courses to guide NYC entrepreneurs through each step to start, operate, and grow a business. Courses include online College-Level Business Courses and online seminars on core topics in entrepreneurship and business programs.

If you are a new business start-up or an existing small business navigating the tremendous changes in the NYC business landscape in 2021, NYC Department of Small Business Services will help you navigate and support your business through it all.

Live, Online Business Courses

Courses are available on every core topic in entrepreneurship:

• business planning
• financing
• marketing
• applying for PPP loans
• qualifying for M/WBE certification. 
• how to reopen your business in 2021
• how to manage your business remotely
• social media marketing
• And much more!

Courses are offered in many languages, including Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. [Learn more about SBS services for immigrant entrepreneurs.]

College-Level Business Courses on Coursera

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has partnered with Coursera to offer free online business courses developed by the world’s best universities.

If you’re an aspiring or current business owner in NYC, you can learn how to plan, finance, market, and manage your business anytime, anywhere.

We have 5 college-level course programs available:

• Launch Your Online Business helps aspiring and existing business owners create an online presence, including set-up of their own website, e-commerce accounts, and a digital marketing strategy.
• Building Your Own Business helps aspiring entrepreneurs turn their idea into a viable business.
• Operating and Financing Your Business helps business owners to plan their operations, manage their finances, and access financing.
• Mastering Marketing & Sales helps business owners to master sales and marketing strategies, and tactics.
• Achieving Your Growth Potential helps business owners identify growth opportunities, create a growth plan, and communicate the plan to their stakeholders.

Eligibility Requirements for free college-level courses

• Live or operate a business in New York City.
• Can devote at least two hours a week for at least four weeks to complete a course.
• Have an internet-connected device to use to complete the course.

How to Apply:

1. Complete this 5-minute application, selecting your preferred course program.
2. Wait for an email that will invite you to your program.
3. Accept the email invitation and create an account on Coursera (if you do not have one already).
4. Open the program that appears in your account and enroll in a course of your choosing.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

You can register for all free events, courses, and WE NYC mentor sessions on Eventbrite. For questions about individual courses or to register over the phone, please contact SBS staff at one of their NYC Business Solutions Centers.

For more information on all of our services, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/sbs.