For Companies

"As Project 2050 began 2009 navigating this difficult economic downturn, a unique opportunity arose to take advantage of the JumpStart NYC program. We initially thought the JumpstartNYC program may provide a unique outside perspective of our Advertising Agency business model from a seasoned Financial Industry professional. Never did we imagine the amazing impact this program would have on both our business model and our bottom line." Matt Pressman, President, Project 2050

JumpStartNYC is a unique and proven program that pays a double dividend. First, it helps experienced professionals leaving the financial services industry to explore new opportunities in New York’s entrepreneurial sector. And, host companies benefit from the skills, wisdom, and experience of a motivated professional. After a one-week bootcamp, participants spend 10 weeks, at least half time, as a consultant on a concrete project of importance to the host.

In the pilot JumpStartNYC consultants created new financial models, developed effective investment materials, explored new business areas, helped CEOs to better understand their business processes, and got rave reviews from their host companies. Many of them continue to work with these firms on paid engagement following up their initial projects.

The JumpStartNYC participants (or consultants):

Averaged 15 years experience in financial services
Uniquely talented resource, with a wide range of skills and background.
“Hit-the-ground-running” skill and attitude delivered great value.
CEOs said: “brilliant”, “very valuable”, “great communicators”, “uniquely knowledgeable”.

Garrick Utley and others at JumpStart launch

Projects:

Varied, featuring financial analysis, market development, new product launch, compliance, IT, operations, strategy, business and investment development.
Clear scope of work sufficient to engage a professional for 8-10 weeks half-full time.
Challenging but achievable for an experienced professional in that time frame.
Learning experience to add to the participants’ resume and help them evaluate whether they want to get more involved in the sector.
Best case scenario: the firm hires them full or part time.
Some examples: market research project for an industry vertical or regional market; an analytic project on operational practices; the completion of more sophisticated financial planning approach, etc.
Think of what you need that you can’t get to, and specify deliverables

Key Links

JumpStart NYC participants Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Media Merx, one of our host companies said it well. “We found the best project to be formed by finding that place where the interests of the consultant and the company intersected. This allowed us to explore a new market arena, while at the same time offering our consultant to explore a new skill set that he could bring to future opportunities.”

JumpStart “bootcamp”:
• The consultant-project matching process takes place during the JumpStartNYC “bootcamp” (April 12-16), but will get finalized when participants and companies have a chance to sit down to scope out a project, and determine the fit.
• JumpStartNYC will coach and mentor the consultants, and stay in touch with the host company to make it work.

Focusing on the Future:
JumpStartNYC host companies came from a myriad of business sectors including digital media, financial services, IT, environment, services, and others. Working together with our main underwriter, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, we are focusing on two new areas: non-profit arts and culture organizations (December), and the developing green finance (2010).

The educational program begins April 12, 2010, and the projects will start on April 19, 2010. We hope to be able to offer options/selection on both sides, while recognizing the speed with which it is all happening will limit the time available for this.

Please note, Project Applications are due April 7, 2010.

Thanks for your interest. If you have questions, please contact:
Kathleen Kane Bardolf
jumpstartnyc@levininstitute.org