Reimagining Stronger Neighborhoods Through Entrepreneurship
Too often, businesses are taught to focus solely on making money, without being encouraged or supported to recognize their broader role in shaping communities and driving social change. The truth is, entrepreneurs do more than generate income — they solve real problems. From food access to youth opportunity, from safety to culture, local businesses have the power to strengthen the places we live. The Renaissance Project exists to unlock this potential by creating spaces for learning, connection, and inspiration where entrepreneurs, community leaders, funders, and neighbors come together to imagine what’s possible — and take action.
Exploring Questions That Unlock Possibilities for Change
1 in 4 households in NYC face food insecurity. Many local entrepreneurs are already leading the way — how can more join them?
Youth unemployment is twice the city average in many neighborhoods. How can entrepreneurship create pathways to prosperity for young people?
Every dollar spent at a local small business generates 1.5x more community wealth. What would it take to grow that impact citywide?
The Renaissance Summit
Our flagship annual event
The Renaissance Summit brings together entrepreneurs, funders, community builders, and allies for a full day of panels, connections, workshops, and storytelling. Together, we reimagine the future of entrepreneurship and its role in building stronger, more prosperous neighborhoods.
-
Dynamic Speakers
Learn from top entrepreneurs and experts as they share their knowledge and stories about business and community growth.
-
Entrepreneur Demos
Discover new projects and businesses from our partners working to improve communities.
-
Networking Opportunities
Connect with people who share your interests, share ideas, and create partnerships to make a real difference.
-
Business Marketplace
Discover a myriad of business services, groups, and resources to help your ideas and business.
The Renaissance Series
The Renaissance Series keeps the energy of the Summit alive year-round through workshops, conversations, and storytelling. We bring people together to share ideas, gain practical tools, and highlight the entrepreneurs and change-makers who are shaping our communities. Throughout the year, we host a range of experiences:
Workshops: practical tools for entrepreneurs and community members.
Conversations: dialogues on the intersection of business and neighborhood life.
Stories: highlighting entrepreneurs and change-makers whose work is transforming local communities.
Who It’s For
Entrepreneurs seeking to connect business with community impact
Residents who want to strengthen their neighborhoods
Funders, partners, and policymakers exploring solutions for equitable growth
Anyone passionate about entrepreneurship as a tool for community development
Progress Playbook is a business training and service platform that designs customized experiences to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.
The Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) combines the efforts of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP), the Office to Prevent Gun Violence (OPGV), and Atlas to empower New Yorkers and work with them to pursue community-driven solutions to public safety.
CONNECT WITH US
We will keep you up to date with all the things
you need to know to build a business in NYC.
(E) Hello@progressplaybook.com (P) 347-464-8178