International Innovators Initiative
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 City University of New York (CUNY) schools, enabling entrepreneurs to qualify for cap-exempt H-1B visas, while helping CUNY schools attract innovators that can develop entrepreneurship and technical programs for their students.

HOW DOES IN2NYC WORK?

Entrepreneurs selected through a competitive process will be matched with one of seven partner CUNY schools in New York City. Entrepreneurs and their partner schools will form collaborative partnerships that will enable entrepreneurs to qualify for cap-exempt H-1B visas. As part of these partnerships, entrepreneurs will commit to utilize 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 will lease work space in their partner school’s incubator and receive access to office amenities, support services, and technical equipment.

Interested entrepreneurs may apply for partnership with up to three CUNY schools. Information on the seven partner schools can be found on the Partner Schools page.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

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 U.S. 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.

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 can be found on the FAQ page.

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS OPEN?

Applications for the program were most recently open from May-July 2016. The next application window will open in the first quarter of 2017. Check back or sign up for the program mailing list to receive notifications as applications become available.
The first IN2NYC application period is now closed

Applications will become available again in Q1 2017