For Subscribers

These Cities Are the Most Business-Friendly Meet the top 5 U.S. cities slicing regulatory burdens.

By Grant Davis

This story appears in the March 2016 issue of Start Up.

Rob Bye | Unsplash.com

The incremental creep of federal, state and local business regulations is enough to halt a startup plan in its tracks. But there are cities out there that are trying to end the insanity and make it easier for companies to do business. Last October, Docady, a free smartphone app that lets small-business owners scan and manage their licenses, contracts and any legal documents through their smartphones, identified five cities in America that are working to make it easier to do business. "The biggest differentiator between cities' approach to regulations is the wait time involved in their bureaucratic processes," says Nadav Naaman, cofounder and CEO of Docady. "The best cities for entrepreneurs are the ones that are digitizing this process."

San Francisco

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The city launched a simple website for new businesses that walks users through its "10 Step Process to Start a Business."

Boston

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Since 2014, Boston has steadily been moving its business-permit application process online, and all permit applicants can now track their approval process through the city's website.

New Orleans

Image credit: Simply Photos | Shutterstock.com

The Louisiana metropolis has a web app that lets entrepreneurs apply for permits and necessary licenses via their smartphones.

Tampa

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

A new system allows business owners to submit permit applications or renewals online and confirm that their accounts are up to date.

Raleigh, N.C.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

The city made its "Business Resource Guide" available on its site, which lists all the resources within the city connected to business, including leads on local financial institutions.

Grant Davis

Entrepreneur Staff

Managing Editor

Grant Davis is the managing editor of Entrepreneur magazine.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

'One of the Most Consequential Bills Ever': Here's How the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Will Affect Small Businesses

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the multi-trillion-dollar bill on July 4.

Money & Finance

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Your State? Here's the Breakdown.

Regardless of where you spend your golden years, it pays to be realistic about the cost of living.

Living

I Take 75 Business Trips a Year — These 10 Tips Save Me Time, Money and Sanity

If you travel for work, these are the time-saving, stress-reducing, money-smart tips I rely on after 75 business trips a year.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

She and Her Sister Started a Side Hustle to Help People Elevate Their Homes — Now Their Brand Pulls In Hundreds of Millions: 'Get to Work'

When Lee Mayer moved from New York City to Denver, Colorado, she wanted to find an affordable, fun way to decorate her home.

Starting a Business

I Built a 7-Figure Business with a Team I Had Never Met – Here's What I Learned

I was sitting at my computer, catching up on emails, when it finally hit me: I built a seven-figure business with a team I had never met.