Entrepreneurship & Startup Support Resources
A list of organizations and programs providing support to all founders, business owners and entrepreneurs across the North Country.
Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)
Provides training and 1:1 technical support for Northern NY businesses and manages loans for startups and small businesses.
Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)
Helps businesses navigate resources, build networks, generate economic and community solutions, build shared capacity, and boost the region.
Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT)
Provides matchmaking services between potential buyers and sellers of existing businesses, and provides planning tools and service connections.
CORI Innovation Fund
Invests in high-growth tech startups located in rural Opportunity Zones to drive economic growth and create high-wage jobs in small-town America.
Counter Space Coworking
Offers a professional, shared workspace in Elizabethtown designed to foster productivity and community for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Empire State Development
Promotes business investment and job creation across NYS through loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing, and other forms of assistance.
Essex County IDA
Offers financial assistance, tax incentives, and site selection services to businesses looking to locate, expand, or invest in Essex County.
Franklin County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC)
Supports entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses through technical assistance, loans, networking, coworking, and main street revitalization.
GoodBread
Provides plain-language assessments, educational guidance, and behavioral-based underwriting to help them build financial readiness and access capital through local partners.
Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board (LCLGRPB)
Operates a regionally based Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program that provides financing to support the growth of small businesses throughout the North Country.
Launch NY
Provides high-growth startups with pro bono mentoring and access to seed capital through the most active business powerhouse in Upstate New York.
New York Ventures
Serves as the state’s venture capital arm, providing critical funding and support to high-growth companies that are driving innovation and job creation across New York.
North Country Alliance
Manages a rural revolving loan fund offering up to $225,000 (or 40% of project costs) to for-profit and nonprofit organizations with fewer than 100 FTEs.
North Country Chamber of Commerce
Acts as the region’s largest business advocate, providing networking, professional development, and resources to businesses across the five-county area.
Point Positive
Provides mentoring and education, raises awareness about business opportunities, and assembles angel investors who can provide start-up and growth funding.
Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Promotes businesses in the Saranac Lake area through networking, communications, local events, and business promotion.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Provides small business owners and entrepreneurs with confidential business counseling, training, business research, and business plan assistance at no cost.
Clarkson’s Shipley Center for Innovation
Provides inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise needed to fully commercialize their products and launch successful new businesses.
The Carry Coworking
Provides a collaborative workspace, highspeed internet, and business resources in Saranac Lake to support the local entrepreneurial community.
Upstate Venture Connect (UVC)
Links high-growth entrepreneurs with a statewide network of venture capital, experienced mentors, and resources to help scale startups in Upstate NY.