--- title: Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program description: We are on a mission to help small certified suppliers access capital, resources and connections through the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship. --- [![Long_Blue_Tagline-01-1](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Long_Blue_Tagline-01-1.png?width=5056&height=1334&name=Long_Blue_Tagline-01-1.png "Long_Blue_Tagline-01-1")](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/) ![New York State Empire State Development](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/new-york-state-of-opportunity-empire-state-development-esd-vector-logo.png?width=536&height=150&name=new-york-state-of-opportunity-empire-state-development-esd-vector-logo.png "New York State Empire State Development") [![Founders First Capital Partners](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FFCP%20Logo%20without%20Tagline%20-%20Light%20Background-1.png?width=400&height=85&name=FFCP%20Logo%20without%20Tagline%20-%20Light%20Background-1.png "Founders First Capital Partners")](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com) ![Investor Briefing Cover 1](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Investor%20Briefing%20Cover%201.jpg?width=2000&height=1330&name=Investor%20Briefing%20Cover%201.jpg "Investor Briefing Cover 1") # Join the Next Phase of the Supplier Innovative Finance Program.  Increase your capacity, grow awareness of innovative funding options, and gain access to capital. [Get Started](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.formstack.com/forms/certified_supplier_short_form?utm_source=NY+ESD&utm_medium=email&utm_id=IIE+23) ### Empire State Development is proud to support the equitable implementation of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), designated for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI businesses). # Program Benefits ![Icon Fund Readiness Program_NYESD](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icon%20Fund%20Readiness%20Program_NYESD.png?width=82&height=85&name=Icon%20Fund%20Readiness%20Program_NYESD.png "Icon Fund Readiness Program_NYESD") ### Funding Readiness On-demand series of educational modules to help founders become aware of potential pitfalls that prevent their ability to get funded and provides an assessment and rating on their current fund readiness. ![Icon Funder Matchmaking_NYESD](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icon%20Funder%20Matchmaking_NYESD.webp?width=132&height=85&name=Icon%20Funder%20Matchmaking_NYESD.webp "Icon Funder Matchmaking_NYESD") ### Funder Matchmaking Access a wide-range of capital funders through our matchmaking sessions based on your business needs. Funders include mission-driven VCs, CDFIs, and Alternative Lenders. ![Icon Grant Money_NYESD](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icon%20Grant%20Money_NYESD.webp?width=117&height=85&name=Icon%20Grant%20Money_NYESD.webp "Icon Grant Money_NYESD") ### Grant Fund Select New York-based certified suppliers will have the opportunity to receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant to help grow their business. ## Program Eligibility Requirements **Active or In Progress Small Business Certification** Recognized minority, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ business certifications issued by national or state organizations (MBE, WBE, DBE, DVBE, VOSB, LGBTBE, 8a, SDB, SBA etc.). - Business is headquartered in New York - Business-to-business (B2B) and/or business-to-government (B2G model) - Generating between $250,000 to $10 million in annual revenue # Take Advantage of Program Benefits [Start Application](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.formstack.com/forms/certified_supplier_short_form?utm_source=NY+ESD&utm_medium=email&utm_id=IIE+23) ## Congratulations ### Empire State Development Grant Finalists ![Kaylin Romain](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Kaylin%20Romain.png "Kaylin Romain") ###### Kayln Romaine ###### Dream Forward Consulting ![Reeham-1](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reeham-1.png?width=279&height=275&name=Reeham-1.png "Reeham-1") ###### Rehman Naeem ###### Pro Builders Material ![SIFP Paving and Excavating](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/SIFP%20Paving%20and%20Excavating.png "SIFP Paving and Excavating") ###### Darian Coker ###### CC Paving and Excavating ### Meet the Funders Involved in Funder Matchmaking ![Business Consortium Fund](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BCF%20Logo.png?width=1196&height=515&name=BCF%20Logo.png "Business Consortium Fund") ![daintree Capital](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/daintree_secondary_3.png "daintree Capital") ![Cirrus Capital](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Cirrus%20Capital%20Logo%204.png "Cirrus Capital") ![Pursuit Lending](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Pursuit%20Lending%20Logo.png "Pursuit Lending") ![Founders First Capital Partners](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/logo-main-notag-long-png%20(7).png "Founders First Capital Partners") ![Lendistry](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Lendistry%20logo.png "Lendistry") ![Now](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/now-logo-1-1.png "Now") ![crf-usa](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/crf-usa.png "crf-usa") ![Cooperative Federal](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Cooperative%20Federal%20Logo.png "Cooperative Federal") # About Empire State Development The mission of [Empire State Development](https://esd.ny.gov/) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance. ### For questions about the Supplier Innovative Finance Program, please email [info@f1stcp.com](mailto:info@f1stcp.com) ![Founders First Capital Partners](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hubfs/Founders-First-Capital-Partners-White-Logo-400px.png "Founders First Capital Partners") 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd. Suite #400 San Diego, CA 92121 [info@f1stcp.com](mailto:info@f1stcp.com) [(858) 264-4102](tel:858-264-4102) [Privacy Policy](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/privacy-policy/) [Terms](https://foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/terms/) Eligibility and approval is subject to standard credit assessment. Not all amounts, term lengths or rates will be available to all applicants. Fees, terms and conditions apply. © 2023 Founders First Capital Partners, | Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license number 60DBO-90427.   [![Asset 1](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%201.png?width=50&height=50&name=Asset%201.png "Asset 1")](https://www.facebook.com/f1stcp) [![Asset 2](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%202.png?width=50&height=50&name=Asset%202.png "Asset 2")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/founders-first-capital-partners/) [![Asset 3](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%203.png?width=50&height=50&name=Asset%203.png "Asset 3")](https://twitter.com/f1stcp) [![Asset 4](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%204.png?width=50&height=50&name=Asset%204.png "Asset 4")](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCadqC8UNVFH0c_6NBdkE-hA) [![Asset 5](https://funding.foundersfirstcapitalpartners.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%205.png?width=50&height=50&name=Asset%205.png "Asset 5")](https://www.instagram.com/f1stcp/) Copyright © 2026 Founders First Capital Partners. 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