New York
Small business grants & funding for felons in New York
New York's Article 23-A is one of the strongest state-level anti-discrimination laws for people with conviction records, and NYC has a dense CDFI and reentry-incubator ecosystem. Below are the highest-impact starting points for a NY-based founder.
Capital & program directory
- Visit
Defy Ventures New York
Defy Ventures
- Type
- Program
- Amount
- Free + pitch competition prizes up to $25k
Active NYC chapter running both in-facility and post-release cohorts with a strong investor and mentor network in the city.
- Visit
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
CEO
- Type
- Reentry services
- Amount
- Paid transitional work + business support
Paid transitional employment that can underwrite the runway to launch a business; NYC headquarters with statewide reach.
- Visit
TruFund Financial Services
TruFund (CDFI)
- Type
- Loan
- Amount
- $5,000 – $500,000
NYC-headquartered CDFI lending to minority and justice-impacted entrepreneurs across New York State.
- Visit
NYC Small Business Services Fair Chance
NYC SBS
- Type
- Program
- Amount
- Free training, legal, and certification support
Free 1:1 advising and MWBE certification — critical for accessing NYC's set-aside contracts. Open to founders with records.
FAQ — New York
Does New York have grants for businesses owned by formerly incarcerated people?
New York does not have a dedicated state grant program reserved for justice-impacted founders, but Empire State Development and NYC EDC periodically run targeted grants for underserved entrepreneurs that are open to applicants with records. Combine with a TruFund or Accion microloan for working capital.
What does Article 23-A protect for a NY founder with a record?
Article 23-A bars employers, licensing boards, and most counterparties in New York from denying employment or a license based on a prior conviction unless there is a direct relationship to the work or an unreasonable risk. It applies to occupational licenses, leases, and bank account openings.