This strategy draws inspiration from global models like Singapore’s deliberate economic planning and sovereign wealth funds, applying similar long-term, strategic capital deployment principles at an urban scale in NYC.

The program is timed to coincide with major international events like the UN General Assembly and Climate Week, aiming to position NYC as a leading global hub for scale-ups and international business expansion.

Part of NYC’s broader 'Race for Space' initiative, the program supports repurposing vacant offices into growth engines, with major tech companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon anchoring over 8 million square feet of office space in Manhattan.

Foreign direct investment in NYC reached $4.9 billion in 2024, underscoring the city’s increasing appeal to international companies seeking growth opportunities and expansion.

NYC is shifting its focus from supporting startups to fostering scale-ups through the ILPN, emphasizing long-term global expansion and positioning the city as a prime destination for international companies.

The broader goal of ILPN is to institutionalize NYC as the premier city for international companies to scale into global industry leaders, leveraging its dense industries, talent, and capital as strategic advantages.

Operators like Plug and Play, Supermomos, SOSA, and The Clean Fight serve as gateways for companies ready to scale, providing sector-specific support that extends beyond seed funding into growth capital.

NYC's ILPN targets growth-stage companies with at least $5 million in revenue or those capable of building teams locally within two years, focusing on sectors like enterprise AI, climate tech, and life sciences where the city has a competitive edge.

Launched by NYCEDC, the ILPN connects international growth companies with NYC's vibrant ecosystem, hosting over 50 global firms across sectors such as AI, climate, medtech, and life sciences, with sector-specific programs managed by four operators.