International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC)

Helping entrepreneurs build their businesses in NYC by facilitating partnerships that qualify entrepreneurs for cap-exempt H-1B visas

New York City is home to one of the largest tech and entrepreneurship communities in the world, but international entrepreneurs face many challenges when trying to build their businesses in the United States. The International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC) facilitates collaborative partnerships between international entrepreneurs and partner schools, enabling entrepreneurs to qualify for cap-exempt H-1B visas, while helping partner schools attract innovators that can develop entrepreneurship and technical programs for their students.

IN2NYC has the following goals:

1. Create quality, 21st-century jobs for New Yorkers
2. Support the CUNY system and NYU by attracting international talent and fostering entrepreneurship among its student and faculty population
3. Address the challenges international entrepreneurs face when attempting to acquire work visas and locate their businesses in New York City
4. Facilitate the growth of new entrepreneurship hubs across New York City’s five boroughs

How IN2NYC Works

Entrepreneurs selected through a competitive process are matched with one of seven partner schools in New York City. Entrepreneurs and their partner schools form collaborative partnerships that enable entrepreneurs to qualify for cap-exempt H-1B visas. As part of these partnerships, entrepreneurs dedicate their time and expertise to contribute to their partner school's community in some fashion, such as by collaborating on academic research, developing entrepreneurship programs, mentoring students, or managing student interns. Entrepreneurs lease workspace in their partner school's incubator and receive access to office amenities, support services, and technical equipment.

Eligibility

IN2NYC is designed for international entrepreneurs who have started a business overseas and would like to relocate or expand their business to the United States. International students graduating from US universities who have started their own businesses are also eligible to apply. All applicants must have an established business offering a product and/or service suitable for the NYC market at time of application. Applicants must be able to meet all the requirements of a standard H-1B visa.

Upon acceptance to the program, entrepreneurs must be willing to incorporate their business in the United States and establish an independent board of directors.

Additional information on program requirements and eligibility will be located on future application materials.

Applications

Applications for the IN2NYC program are currently closed. Future application periods will be advertised as determined. Check back here or sign up for the quarterly tech newsletter to receive updates on IN2NYC and other tech programs.

Partnering with CUNY

The City University of New York (CUNY) is a vibrant network of top-tier public schools that educate and serve New Yorkers in all five boroughs. IN2NYC entrepreneurs form collaborative partnerships with one of the seven partner schools, including NYU, below. The IN2NYC schools all have established entrepreneurship programs and co-working spaces on their campuses.

As part of these collaborative partnerships, entrepreneurs commit to utilizing their expertise to contribute to their partner school's community in some fashion, such as by collaborating on academic research, developing entrepreneurship programs, mentoring students, or hiring students as interns or employees. Entrepreneurs lease work space in an incubator at their partner school and receive access to office amenities, support services, and technical equipment.