The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation has wrapped its first Microbusiness Support Program, an eight-month initiative created to help local entrepreneurs strengthen and scale their ventures.
Launched in Feb. 2025, the program offers minority- and women-owned businesses targeted training, mentorship and access to resources that boost operations, financial planning, marketing and overall business development. The inaugural cohort, made up of early-stage startups earning under $250,000 annually, received more than 20 hours of technical assistance, hands-on coaching and opportunities to connect through in-person events.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that manages the Yard on behalf of the City of New York, working to fuel economic vitality through job creation, support for modern manufacturing and community connection.
“Through the Microbusiness Support Program, we’re investing in Brooklyn’s M/WBE small business owners as they build stronger foundations for growth and new pathways to access opportunities. These graduates represent the next generation of business owners shaping our city’s economic future,” said Lindsay Greene, president and CEO of BNYDC.
Its workforce initiatives include the Albert C. Wiltshire Employment Center and the Brooklyn STEAM Center high school. The corporation’s broader vision centers on a thriving industrial campus where businesses have the stability to grow and where local residents can access quality jobs.
The cohort model brings entrepreneurs together for monthly workshops led by industry experts, paired with individualized assessments and ongoing one-on-one support. Participants also tapped into collaborative events and sales opportunities, including the Yard’s Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market, where several graduates showcased their work this December.
Beyond training, the program links business owners with local Community Development Financial Institutions to help them secure capital and long-term financing, key tools for stability and growth. A second cohort is expected next year, supported by funding from Santander Bank, N.A. and the TD Charitable Foundation.
By investing in women- and minority-owned microbusinesses, the Brooklyn Navy Yard continues to advance its mission of creating equitable economic opportunities and supporting the next generation of local entrepreneurs.
