How TAP and the NYC SBS are Closing the Knowledge Gap

Need to Know

• TAP partnered with the NYC Department of Small Business Services to bring free, practical AI workshops to small business owners across New York City, reaching 375+ entrepreneurs since December 2025.

• Every respondent across all sessions rated the workshops Extremely Satisfied, Very Satisfied, or Satisfied, and 98% said they came away with a better understanding of AI.

• Eight more workshops are scheduled through the end of 2026, with more advanced AI content developed directly in response to participant feedback.

Free AI Workshops for the NYC Small Business Owners: What the TAP and the NYC SBS Partnership Delivers

Small business owners in New York City now have free, expert-led access to the AI tools and skills that larger companies take for granted, thanks to a partnership between The Acceleration Project (TAP) and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS). Since December 2025, TAP has delivered practical AI workshops to more than 375 small business owners across New York City, with every respondent reporting satisfaction and 98% saying they came away better equipped to use AI in their work.

TAP is a nonprofit that connects under-resourced small business owners with skilled volunteer consultants for free, 1:1 support, with the goal of helping them strengthen their businesses, create jobs, and build wealth in their communities. When the NYC SBS identified a growing need for practical AI coaching among the entrepreneurs it serves, it turned to TAP to design and deliver the content. The result is a citywide program that meets business owners where they are, whether they have never opened a chatbot or use AI every day.

From Pilot to Citywide: How the NYC SBS AI Workshop Program Scaled

The program launched in December 2025 with a pilot series in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, reaching more than 115 small business owners. The response was immediate and clear: business owners wanted this training, and they found it useful. TAP and the NYC SBS reaffirmed the partnership in January 2026 and expanded the program to NYC Business Solutions Centers in Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan, Washington Heights, and Staten Island, bringing the total to more than 375 participants across all sessions.

That kind of reach reflects what the partnership was designed to do. NYC SBS operates Business Solutions Centers across all five boroughs, giving it direct access to the entrepreneurs who need support most. TAP brought the curriculum, the consultants, and the ability to build and pilot content quickly. Together, they created something neither could have delivered alone.

What Small Business Owners Learned in the Free AI Workshops 

Each session was built around practical application, not theory. Participants learned how to choose the right AI platform for their needs, how to write effective prompts, how to use AI as a thinking partner for sales strategy, finance, marketing, and operations, and how to navigate the privacy and safety considerations that come with integrating AI tools into a business. The content evolved across sessions as TAP gathered feedback and refined the curriculum for different audience levels.

In-session polls captured a clear picture of who walked through the door. The pilot sessions in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan drew a beginner-heavy crowd. In the Bronx, 47% of participants rarely or not yet used AI, 37% used it a few times per week or month, and just 16% were daily users. The Brooklyn session told a different story: 54% reported using AI daily, 34% periodically, 6% rarely, and 6% not yet. That Brooklyn audience was notably more advanced than the earlier cohorts, and TAP's consultants adapted their delivery accordingly, keeping foundational content accessible without leaving the more experienced participants behind.

— Lower Manhattan Small Business Owner

Meet two of the TAP Volunteer Consultants Behind the NYC SBS AI Workshops

TAP volunteer consultants lead the workshop series across New York City. Their ability to make complex material approachable for audiences ranging from first-time AI users to daily practitioners is a core reason the program landed so well.

Josh Schwartz, Austin, TX 

Josh joined our Upper Manhattan, Bronx, Lower Manhattan, and Staten Island sessions, bringing real credibility to the practical side of AI. As Senior Policy Analyst with the U.S. Coast Guard focused on AI, cyber, and emerging technologies and prior experience at an AI startup, he covered prompting best practices, walked through real-world use cases, handled live questions in the chat without breaking the flow, and gave participants a clear framework for responsible AI use.

Cynthia Ashworth, Brooklyn, NY

Cynthia joined the team for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Lower Manhattan sessions, becoming one of TAP's go-to presenters for AI content. Her analogy describing AI as a "smart junior assistant" helped participants understand how to train AI to work for them, and how feedback shapes AI output. Her ability to set clear expectations for practical AI use cases has led to overwhelmingly positive feedback. .

The Results: What the Data Shows About Free AI Training for Small Businesses

Across all sessions, post-workshop survey respondents rated the experience Extremely Satisfied, Very Satisfied, or Satisfied. Zero respondents reported being Somewhat Satisfied or Not Satisfied. Ninety-eight percent agreed or strongly agreed that they came away with a better understanding of AI and how to apply it in their business.

Those numbers reflect something harder to quantify: participants left with a plan. They named specific tools they intended to try, use cases they had not considered before, and a clearer sense of how AI fits into their day-to-day work.

— Jack Murphy, VP of Programs and Partnerships at The Acceleration Project

What Comes Next: More Advanced AI Workshops for NYC Small Business Owners in 2026

The program is not standing still. Business owners who have already completed the foundational workshops are asking for more advanced content, and TAP is delivering. Eight additional workshops are scheduled through the end of 2026, built on an evolved curriculum that goes deeper into prompting, use case development, and emerging tools.

The partnership with the NYC SBS continues to grow because the need continues to grow. Small business owners across New York City are watching AI reshape their industries and their competition, and they deserve access to the same tools and training that larger organizations can afford. TAP and the NYC SBS are making that access real.

How to Access Free Small Business Support Through TAP

To learn more about TAP's programs and free 1:1 consulting for small business owners, visit theaccelerationproject.org. To learn more about the NYC Business Solutions Centers and the services available to New York City entrepreneurs, visit nyc.gov/sbs.