FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2026 

SBS ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR FIRST-EVER MOBILE APP FOR STREET VENDORS AND TARGETED VENDOR MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH  

Live XYZ and Street Vendor Project Selected to Address Needs of New York City's Diverse Street Vendor Ecosystem, Connect Vendors to Resources and Services 

NEW YORK – Today, New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya announced “Venture Forward,” a new program focused on helping street vendors operate legally in New York City through the development of both a mobile application powered by a live map and a targeted multilingual education campaign. For the first time ever, city government is meeting street vendors where they are to provide the resources they need to participate equally in the city’s economy, rather than navigate through restrictive ordinances from multiple city agencies. Via the mobile application, street vendors will be able to clearly identify legal places to vend, engage with the application in their preferred language, and submit feedback and report issues to city government from the palm of their hand. The outreach and education will support vendors to understand the recent changes to the city’s laws governing street vending to ensure they can access opportunity and thrive in our neighborhoods. Combined with the efforts of the newly established Office of Street Vendor Services at SBS, “Venture Forward” marks a new era for small businesses that are a daily part of New Yorkers’ lives. SBS selected Live XYZ and the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center (SVP) to develop “Venture Forward;” the two organizations will receive a combined $750,000 to integrate these tools into effective service delivery for vendors across New York City. 

“‘Venture Forward’ redefines the pathway to success for entrepreneurs running the smallest of small businesses here in New York City,” said SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya. “For too long, street vendors have navigated a maze of rules and regulations that created obstacles and delays on their journey. SBS serves all small businesses in New York City, and this initiative will help vendors to chart a more direct path to realizing their dream business. I am excited to join both Live XYZ and the Street Vendor Project as we work together to support these essential New Yorkers who keep our neighborhoods and commercial corridors going!” 

“The Office of Street Vendor Services at SBS is advancing economic justice by serving as a central hub for citywide street vendor education and assistance,” said Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Office of Street Vendor Services at SBS. “Through ‘Venture Forward,’ we're partnering with Live XYZ to build a tool that simplifies regulatory compliance, and with the Street Vendor Project to deliver targeted education — helping vendors spend less time deciphering rules and more time running the businesses New Yorkers rely on.” 

Live XYZ 
Live XYZ will develop a “Street Vendor Site Selection Tool,” which will serve as a multilingual, interactive application showing merchants which public spaces in New York City are available for vending operations in compliance with time and location regulations. The Street Vendor Site Selection Tool will include public sidewalks, streets, and rights-of-way. 

Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center 
SVP will develop multilingual content and visual educational tools to explain recent changes to the city’s laws governing street vending and the license application process. Additionally, SVP will facilitate training workshops to support vendors in digital literacy, marketing, business compliance, and financing.  For street vendors who do not have licenses, a series of five virtual workshops will focus on other opportunities, including catering and concessionaire opportunities with city agencies and private markets. SVP will also provide free one-on-one consultations for street vendors. 

“For years, Live XYZ has helped New York City understand its storefront economy,” said Jason Greenwald, Founder & CEO, Live XYZ. “We’re proud to extend that same place-based intelligence to the public realm, helping street vendors navigate complex regulations through clear, map-based guidance. Street vendors are a vital part of New York City’s identity, and we’re honored to partner with SBS to create technology that supports opportunity, compliance, and vibrant streets.”  

“The ‘Venture Forward’ program is a gamechanger for New York City’s 23,000 street vendors,” said Mohamed Attia, Managing Director of the Street Vendor Project. “Through this partnership with the Department of Small Business Services, the Street Vendor Project will create culturally competent resources that ensure vendors can navigate and comply with vending laws. As the principal organization supporting and organizing street vendors, SVP is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between government and our city’s smallest businesses. We thank Commissioner Kenny Minaya, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Deputy Mayor Julie Su for their relentless focus on economic justice and dignity for New Yorkers.”  

“Venture Forward” was created through the city's challenge-based procurement process, a new approach to city procurement whereby agencies seek solutions to problems.  SBS sought partners to pilot sustainable and scalable programs to help street vendors navigate the current street vending regulatory environment, and access new and existing city- and community-based resources opportunities.  Through this process, SBS solicited the public to invent creative solutions to support the city's diverse ecosystem of street vendors, while also considering the concerns of brick-and-mortar businesses and commercial corridors.  This was the first time that SBS used the challenge-based procurement process. 

“Street vendors are entrepreneurs, job creators, and an essential part of New York City's economy and culture,” said New York City Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry. “As Chair of the Committee on Small Business, I believe this Venture Forward investment will help vendors navigate city regulations with confidence, avoid penalties, and access the tools they need to grow. When we make government more accessible and make education our anchor, we create a fairer system that allows small businesses to succeed.”  

“For decades, New York City forced hardworking street vendors to operate in the shadows of a broken system. With the 2026 street vending reforms, we finally began building a pathway toward dignity, order, and opportunity,” said New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “But rights and reforms only matter if the people they are meant to serve know how to use them. Venture Forward takes concepts that vendors, advocates, and policymakers have discussed for years and begins turning them into reality: clear information, multilingual tools, real-time guidance, and a city that meets vendors where they are. I congratulate SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya, Office of Street Vendor Services Executive Director Carina Kaufman-Gutierrez, Live XYZ, and the Street Vendor Project on this important launch. Alongside the historic FY27 investment to implement the Street Vendor Reform package, this initiative will help vendors understand the rules, access opportunities, and thrive in our neighborhoods.” 

“Street vendors are entrepreneurs, small business owners, and essential members of our communities who deserve clear rules, meaningful support, and a fair opportunity to succeed,” said New York City Council Member Harvey Epstein. “For far too long, vendors have been forced to navigate a confusing system that made it harder to operate legally and safely. Venture Forward is an important step toward changing that by providing practical tools, multilingual resources, and education that will help vendors understand their rights and connect with city services. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Small Business Services, the Street Vendor Project, and Live XYZ to ensure every vendor has the resources they need to build and grow their business.” 

“Street Vendors are our city's smallest business — they power New York City and keep us fed,” said New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “Vendors deserve easy access to where they can vend legally and information in their language. I’m thankful to our City Council, the newly formed Office of Street Vendor Services, and Live XYZ for creating an app that supports our vendors and champions their success.” 

About the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS)  
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 888-SBS-4NYC, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.