Much like the struggling saplings on a sun-deprived forest floor, there are thousands of small companies out there competing against one another for the opportunity to blossom into an established, fully-functioning big business.
In some environments, survivability is particularly difficult and help, if available, is invaluable.
This is the case in New York City, as was recently documented in a CNN Money article entitled 'Gotham Inc: Launching in NYC: New York City is a challenging - but rewarding - place to launch a business'.
The company in focus, which finds its business in supporting other businesses, will have no doubt benefitted from the online PR generated from the piece.
New York, as one of the worlds leading financial centres, is an expensive place to plant a business - the combined state and local tax on corporate profits is one of the highest in the country at 16 per cent.
Furthermore, the cost of living is 50 per cent higher than the national average. Surviving here is a tough task.
That's where NYS Seed come in. The venture capital fund injects up to $200,000 into promising businesses that have fantastic potential, but lack the room and sunlight to grow.
Speaking to the news provider, NYC Seed's managing director Owen Davis said: "The needs of small companies are so great - we're very helpful in terms of making introductions and helping them think strategically,"
That assistance - the proverbial parting of the trees that drowns a sapling business in growth-inducing sunlight – can be the difference between a company reaching the top and falling flat, particularly in such a harsh environment.
NYC Seed focuses largely on technology and software companies as a result of its partnership make-up, which includes the Polytechnic Institute of New York University and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation.
As a rule, it looks for firms with two committed founders and an accessible prototype and has invested in four software companies so far.
Whether all of these go on to bask in the glory of canopy life among the industry's reputed businesses remains to be seen, but at least they can be grateful for having been given the opportunity.
© Adfero Ltd
