The First Business Financing Fair took place at SIBL on August 17, 2016. Representatives from both traditional (bank, federal credit union) and alternative (not-for-profit, crowd funding/lending) sources of funding were present to answer questions from start-ups and established businesses.

The idea was to provide information about the process, timeline and requirements of each organization, so that business owners could make an informed decision as to what source of funding is best for their business. Each lender briefly presented their organization to all participants and after these presentations lots of networking occurred at the exhibitors' tables. 

The fair was open to startups, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and those interested in learning the various options to finance a startup or small business—and it  was free of charge (no cost to exhibitors or attendees). A number of business owners thanked our staff both during and after the Financing Fair, with comments such as "bringing in so many lenders and financing programs together in one space was a fabulous idea." Many asked when the program would be repeated.   

Exhibitors included:

• Accion
• Business Outreach Center Network
• Excelsior Growth Fund
• Kiva
• Lendoor
• LES People's Federal Credit Union
• NDC Grow America Fund 
• NYC Business Solutions
• Small Business Administration
• NYS Small Business Development Centers:
  • Columbia-Harlem SBDC
  • Pace University SBDC
  • Staten Island SBDC
• Start Small Think Big
• Valley National Bank
• Women's Enterprise Action Loan Fund
• Women's Venture Fund