With Libraries closed during the pandemic, NYPL has expanded access to some research database formerly available only onsite in the library.

Check out this list of business planning resources you can now access from home. companies which provide similar products or services to yours.

A business plan is an important tool to communicate your vision, establish goals and plan for the future. To write one you need to do market research about existing and potential customers as well as industry research to understand how your business will fit in. 

New! If you need help with your business plan reseach, or access to more databases, the NYPL Business Center now offers virtual consultations.  Sign up online for a 30 minute video consultation with our librarians. 

Try using these sources for your business plan research:

Reference USA  - temporarily accessible from home with a library card. 
Select the "U.S. Businesses" module, choose the "Advanced Search" tab, next click to search "Business Type". Enter a keyword to find companies in your industry. You can limit to narrow results by county (New York county for Manhattan) or ZIP code, company size, and more. To view your results, update and click. Download the company details you find to your USB drive. Also, check out the charts and heat maps for a more visual display of your results. These can be a handy way to illustrate the competitive landscape for your new business. (Reference USA is available in all NYPL locations.).

Ibisworld   
To find in-depth industry data, try IBISWorld : browse for an industry or search by keyword. Also check the state reports for New York and the “specialized industries” reports. When you find a report for your specific industry, just click through each tab to view the entire report. ( This database is available only in the Business Library, with printing only enabled, no downloading )

First Research 
To find industry data, financials, trends, and challenges, check out First Research at SIBL. First Research includes "Call Prep," a series of questions you can use when making cold calls to other small business owners to research your industry. (Note: PDFs of First Research industry reports can be found in another online database, Mergent Archives.) (This database is available only in the Business Library.).

Statista  
Use Statista to find industry statistics and reports. Note: Statista is available only on select computers in the Business Library. Ask a Business Library staff person to log you in.

Also try these business databases accessible from home (with a library card) and in other NYPL locations:

Business Source Complete for articles and industry profiles. To find industry profiles use the Advanced Search option. Type a keyword to describe the industry and then limit your results by "publication type" to Industry Profile.

Gale Directory Library provides access to the Encyclopedia of Associations —trade associations can be an excellent source for industry statistics and publications. Use the "Advanced Search" to select the directory to search, and then enter a keyword to describe your industry.

Check out these library research guides for more tips: https://libguides.nypl.org/Business.