Startup and Venture Internship Programs RFP

New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) invites qualified organizations to submit proposals to operate annual cohorts of the Startup and Venture Internship Programs, multi-year workforce development programs which aim to support tech-enabled startups and venture capital (“VC”) firms in New York City with capacity to host interns, grow their teams, and strengthen their businesses, while providing NYC students with on-ramps to meaningful work in NYC’s technology and VC ecosystems through paid work experiences, professional development, and mentorship.

NYCEDC has a mission to create a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers, including by growing innovative sectors, with a focus on equity. For the past two decades, NYCEDC has invested in programs to strengthen, grow, and improve equity within the tech and VC industries in NYC, including investments in education, training, and diverse entrepreneurship.

Since 2022, NYCEDC has supported the New York City Startup Internship Program, a workforce development program that has provided 166 students from the City University of New York (CUNY) with paid internships at 84 NYC-based startups to date.

Beginning in 2025, NYCEDC aims to build upon the success of the New York City Startup Internship Program by seeking one or more program operators with substantial expertise and networks in New York City’s startup ecosystem, venture capital ecosystem, or both, to operate one or both workstreams of the Startup and Venture Capital Internship Programs. Workstream 1, “Startup Internship Program,” places students into paid internships at tech-enabled startups based in NYC. Workstream 2, “Venture Capital Internship Program,” places students into paid internships at venture capital firms based in NYC.

NYCEDC plans to select one or more operators on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: the quality of the proposal and responsiveness to project objectives, team qualifications and ability to deliver one or both workstreams, cost of proposal, financial and operation sustainability plan, and M/WBE participation.

Inquiries

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to [email protected]. Answers to all questions will be posted by Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to [email protected] on or before Monday, October 21, 2024.

Optional Informational Session

An optional informational session will be held virtually on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. Those who wish to attend should RSVP on or before September 27, 2024. Please click here to register for the virtual info session.

Submission Requirements

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

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

RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM on Monday, October 21, 2024.

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 Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (“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 http://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 https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/.

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