M&T Bank Small Business Lab –
In partnership with Carver Federal Savings Bank
Harlem, NY
Our next Multicultural Small Business Lab is being held in Harlem, NY. It will kick off on Thursday, March 30th and run every Thursday evening through May 4th. Hurry now, space is limited to 60 participants.
(Registration ends March 3, 2023)

Program Highlights
The Multicultural Small Business Lab is an intensive 6 week program designed to help empower, develop and scale racially and ethnically diverse micro businesses. M&T Bank’s Multicultural Small Business lab aims to promote business and financial inclusion through empowerment, providing diverse owners with much needed access to information, tools, resources, and connections they need to grow and thrive. The Lab’s mission is nothing less than to present an opportunity for multicultural businesses to increase their visibility, accelerate their business, achieve success and increase our bank’s engagement of Multicultural Business Owners across our various markets.

Creating a Business Plan
Learn what it takes to create an effective business plan through discussion on setting goals, knowing your industry, what finances you have in place, and much more!
All About Credit
Do you need to understand more about credit and how it can affect your business? With M&T small business multicultural lab, we will dive into the importance of credit, accessing capital and how you package your credit application.

Marketing & Branding
Learn how to make your business stand-out among the competition through an in-depth discussion on branding and marketing so you can be prepared to get the word out on your diverse business.
Pitch Tips
You have everything that you need to scale and grow your business, but your business needs funding. As part of the series, we will provide you tips and tricks when presenting to potential investors. Learn how to present with ease and how to make your business plan shine.
Innovation Lab Overview
The M&T Multicultural small business Lab celebrates and empowers local multicultural owned small businesses through education and a spirited competition. For the Harlem edition, we will be partnering with Carver Federal Savings Bank. The location for this 6-week program will be at the Harlem Commonwealth Council.:
Harlem Commonwealth Council
361 W 125th St.
New York, NY 10027
(Registration ends March 3, 2023)
Program Eligibility
Open to existing Multicultural small business owners and hopeful Multicultural small business owners in the planning/concept phase (e.g. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American) – in accordance to local demographics.
- Been in business less than 36 months
- Average annual revenues of $150K or less
Schedule
- 6-week course presented by M&T Bank experts and community partners
- Beginning March 30th, 2023
- Course ends May 4th, 2023
- In-Person Attendance
- 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday evenings
Curriculum
- Business Planning (1 session)
- Credit Fundamentals (2 sessions)
- Marketing & Branding (1 session)
- Networking & Community Resources (1 session)
- Business Valuation (1 session)
- Virtual self-service coursework to be delivered through M&T Tech Academy (where available)
Pitch Competition
- First Round: 2-minute video with written answers
- Second Round: 3-minute live pitch with a 2-minute Q&A
- Prizes:
- 1st place - $16,000
- 2nd place - $12,000
- 3rd place - $7,000
Upcoming Programs
Do I need to be a resident of the community that the program is in to participate?
You must be a resident of the city where the lab is being held. Please refer to the specific location terms and conditions.
Yes, the principal owner needs to be a permanent legal resident of the “Greater Harlem” community Harlem, New York . See terms and conditions.
How do I know if I’m a good fit?
We are open to different kinds of multicultural – racially & ethnically diverse small owned businesses (e.g. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American ). To qualify, the principal owner must be 18 years or older, a permanent legal resident of the “Greater Harlem” community be in business for 36 months or less, and have a annual business revenue of $150,000 or less. See terms and conditions.
How do I register?
To register, please review the terms and conditions. If eligible, you can enter here.
Do I need a business plan to register?
No, you will be provided the tools to build your own.
Hear from past participants
“ ‘Ideas meet opportunity’. So glad M&T (& Harrisburg University) saw fit to choose Harrisburg as the 2nd stop for their Multicultural Small Business Lab. Harrisburg is a tough place for minority business startups. But, with a little help, guidance, and access to resources….anything is possible. Can’t wait to make my pitch for my business during week 6!”
Cathy Hall
Urban Links Unlimited, LLC.
“A business plan is like a map that allows you to see where you’re going and what all to expect along the journey.”
Daiyana Ritter
The Real Dai, LLC.
“I was so happy to see how excited everyone is to be a part of such an amazing opportunity. The staff was extremely welcoming and informative. What stood out the most was the number of successful business owners that are attending. They understood that there is always room for growth even as a successor.”
Brittany Scott
Property Jewels