How To Start a Business in New York: 12 Steps (2025) [Video]

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New York’s economy is the country’s third-largest, at more than $1.7 trillion, and the state is a hub for a variety of industries. Because small businesses make up the majority of businesses in New York, it’s a great place to start a new business.

“New York is a state with a strong economy with a mix of industries, a strong job market, and entrepreneurial cultures,” says Sandra Eberhard, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) Metro New York and Greater DMV (which includes DC, Maryland, and Virginia).

New York is fertile ground for new ventures, but starting a business there does require careful planning (and some paperwork).

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Start a business in New York

1. Choose a business idea
2. Choose a name
3. …