The city is working to change this perception with its new Y-Enterprise incubator space and a contest designed to solicit applications from startups and attract top talent to the city.
The “Y-Your Enterprise?” contest, announced Monday by Yonkers Mayor Philip A. Amicone, is offering one startup six months of free and furnished office space in the new 8,000-square-foot Y-Enterprise Business Center.
The contest is open to entrepreneurs whose startups have been in business for at least one year and have up to eight employees. Interested parties need to complete an application and submit a 60-second or less video pitch on who they are and why they should win the free office space.
Submissions are accepted now through June 15. Finalists’ video entries will be posted online for a public vote beginning June 30. The finalist with the most votes by July 15 will win the contest and the rent-free space in the Y-Enterprise Business Center.
The Y-Enterprise Business Center space is designed to help entrepreneurs launch their companies. It’s outfitted with common areas, legal and accounting advisory services, administrative staffing, conference rooms, and a lounge and reception area. Y-Enterprise tenants also receive business development assistance from the city of Yonkers, as well as federal and state tax credits and incentives.
“Yonkers is a city on the rise and the Y-Enterprise program will have a major role in that upward momentum,” says Yonkers City Commissioner Lou Kirven.
The city started the Y-Enterprise program and built the business center to attract new, high-growth enterprises, he says. Kirven also speaks of the city’s investment in the surrounding community and a larger city-wide revitalization project. “We’ve spent over $1 billion in public and private monies to bring forth a wonderful environment for technology people,” he says.
“Yonkers is a great place to socialize, live and do business,” says Kirven. “The last piece for us is to the plant the flag, and say, ‘Come to Yonkers. This is where you can build your successful company.”
* This article was originally written by Jennifer Van Grove for Mashable.
