eac center

The Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) at the Local Development Corporation of East New York (LDCENY) is a comprehensive business development program serving aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, and early-stage business owners. As part of a statewide network of EAC centers, the program provides instruction, training, technical assistance, and individualized support to help participants start, strengthen, and grow their businesses.
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LDCENY’s EAC offers multilingual business education and one-on-one counseling designed to build practical skills in business planning, management, problem-solving, and decision-making. Through personalized guidance and accessible resources, participants are supported in transforming business ideas into viable enterprises and developing successful, resilient, and sustainable businesses.

The Entrepreneurial Assistance Center provides the following in-depth services, including counseling and assistance on:

• The feasibility of starting a business
• Refining a business concept and business plan
• Completing MWBE Certification Applications
• Mentoring services with experienced business owners
• Established management principles and practices
• Product development and marketing
• Exporting, contract procurement and licensing
• Identifying and accessing capital and credit
• Access to business support networks​

The EAC program offers a 60-hours, 10-week Business Plan training that emphasizes on the building blocks of a sound business plan. The Center offers ongoing and continued support to program graduates including linkages to other small business services.

Need to schedule a counseling session with one of our business coaches? 

If you need assistance with your business, please fill out our Counseling Request Form by clicking on the button below. Your request will be forwarded to one of our Business Counselors for a consultation.

Counseling Request

entrepreneurship & small business SERVICES

Training

We offer business education to startups and existing businesses. Workshops teach the basics of starting and managing a business enterprise. Classroom work is enhanced with one-on-one counseling and technical assistance that helps participants develop business plans, sales and marketing strategies, and financial plans.​

Coaching

Counseling, coaching, and technical assistance are provided by a staff of highly qualified business and financial counselors. Our staff has many years of experience working with small business owners across numerous industries. In many cases, our staff have operated and owned their own businesses and can relate directly to the struggles entrepreneurs face day to day.​

Planning

To help you write a winning business plan, our staff offers research assistance to small business owners to help them understand their respective markets. Business counselors work hand in hand with entrepreneurs to identify market segments and industry trends that support their business growth and expansion. 

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Marketing

Counselors at the LDCENY assist in developing marketing strategies and campaigns to reach the target audience by identifying the best channels and platforms. Assistance is provided with digital and traditional marketing, which includes website development, social media, radio and commercial advertising, SEO and SEM, print, and promotional events.​

MWBE

We offer certification workshops and work with clients individually to prepare applications for certification with the New York City and New York State Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise programs. Additionally, we provide support with SBA 8A certification and other procurement applications.

Workshops

Workshops and business support are an integral part of what we do with our clients. We offer monthly workshops in marketing, branding, credit, housing readiness, MWBE certification, and more! Check out our upcoming workshops and events. 

New York Business Express is a centralized online resource that helps entrepreneurs and business owners start, operate, and grow a business in New York State. Business Express provides customized business checklists, guidance on licenses and permits, access to support programs and incentives, online business applications, workforce recruitment resources, and links to free counseling and training through the New York Small Business Development Center. 

CLICK HERE to visit New York Business Express. 

Beny Castro, EAC Program Manager

Beny Castro is the Program Manager for the award-winning Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) at the Local Development Corporation of East New York (LDCENY), which provides one-on-one technical support, mentorship, and cohort opportunities for business owners and entrepreneurs.

Since 2017, he has helped more than 1,500 business clients and has hosted and organized more than 100 community events. A graduate of SBS + CRE Corridor Connection, Coro Neighborhood Leadership, and LaGuardia Community College, CUNY, where he earned an Associate in Business Administration (ABA), Beny was honored with an NYC Proclamation for Outstanding Leadership in the Latino Community and the Winston Davidson Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to the College Community.

 
Contact Information:

Beny Castro
Program Manager, Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC)
Local Development Corporation of East New York (LDCENY)
80 Jamaica Avenue, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Office: 718-385-6700 ext. 302
Direct: 917-933-2027
Email: [email protected]

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