Greenlight Innovation Fund RFP

NYCEDC is launching the Greenlight Innovation Fund (“Fund”) Request for Proposals to provide City capital funding (“City Capital”) for the development of facilities in New York City that support the Green Economy, Life Sciences, and Advanced Technology (collectively, the “Innovation Industries”).

NYCEDC has an initial allocation of up to $50 million of City Capital dollars for the Fund and intends to make multiple awards of at least $3 million per project. These awards are intended to grow and diversify the Innovation Industries that are critical to the success of New York’s economy.

January 2025 funding update: EDC has allocated up to $50 million of City Capital for the third (final) round of responses due on May 2, 2025. 

This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeks to identify promising facilities development or improvement proposals (“Programs”) that are eligible to receive City Capital funding. The Fund is limited to Programs on one site initiated by nonprofit entities on privately-owned property. The Fund will provide City Capital for specific projects (“Projects”) that are part of the overall Program—a Project must consist of one of the following: the acquisition of real property, construction of facilities, or the purchase of equipment. NYCEDC generally seeks to fund no more than 50% of the total Program cost.

NYCEDC plans to award City Capital to project respondents on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: the Program policy goals, feasibility of development plan, feasibility of ongoing operations and management, and quality of respondent team.

Optional Informational Sessions

Info sessions ahead of the final submission deadline will be held virtually on February 19, 2025 and March 13, 2025. To RSVP, please register via Zoom using in the hyperlinks below. Slides from previous informational session(s) are posted above.

• February 19, 2025 (10:00AM ET)
• March 13, 2025 (2:00PM ET)

Inquiries

Applicants will have multiple opportunities to submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC. Questions regarding the subject matter of the RFP should be directed to [email protected]. 

In advance of the final response deadline on May 2nd, the Q&A period is open now and will close on March 14, 2025. Answers will be posted to this webpage by March 28, 2025. Responses to previous rounds of questions are posted above.

Technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals may be directed to [email protected] while the RFP is open.

Submission Requirements

THIRD (FINAL) ROUND RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:59PM ET.

Please submit your response via electronic upload by clicking here and uploading your proposal.

Responses will be accepted prior to multiple Submission Deadlines: April 12, 2024; October 25, 2024, and May 2, 2025.

M/WBE

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives.

This project has M/WBE participation goals, and all respondents will be required to submit an M/WBE Participation Proposal with their response. To learn more about NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, visit edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe. For the list of companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as M/WBE, please go to the sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search.

NYCEDC established the Contract Financing Loan Fund program for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) interested in working on public projects. Contract Financing Loan Fund facilitates financing for short-term mobilization needs such as insurance, payroll, supplies and equipment. Bidders, sub-contractors and sub-consultants are strongly encouraged to visit the NYCEDC website at edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe to learn more about the program.