NYC Small Business Services runs Business Solutions Centers across the five boroughs, offering free help with financing, hiring, training and navigating city rules.

The U.S. Small Business Administration supports Small Business Development Centers, often based at local colleges, which offer free one-to-one advising on business plans, loans and growth.

SCORE matches entrepreneurs with experienced volunteer mentors, many of them retired executives, at no cost.

The New York Public Library's business resources include free access to market research databases that would otherwise cost a fortune.

Borough chambers of commerce and industry associations are great for introductions, local knowledge and finding your first customers.