Brooklyn Public Library’s annual PowerUP! Business Plan Competition just turned ten! For the past decade, BPL has proudly supported Brooklyn entrepreneurs, and through PowerUP!, has helped launch over 55 businesses and realize countless long-held dreams. This is the borough of innovation, so now it’s your turn to dream up ideas and build your business plan at the Library.
In addition to workshops to help you figure out what you need to get your business started, the Library gives you access to resources so you can write that business plan, develop a marketing strategy for your idea or product and find financing. And to aim you in the right direction, you’ll meet for free with a business counselor who helps keep your mission on track.
The best part? Cold, hard start-up cash. This is a competition, after all. Write the best business plan, win the top prize of $15,000, $5,000 for second place, a $750 merit award or $500 honorable mention. Simple! Courtesy of Citi Foundation, more than $275,000 has already been awarded to winners.
You won’t be doing this alone—almost 80% of competition participants haven’t been in business before. Use the Library as the foundation for your business, and join other PowerUP! alumni, including past winners such as plant-based skincare company Iwilla Remedy, Lark Café in Ditmas Park, Bogota Bistro in Park Slope and Fort Greene’s Greenlight Bookstore.
To participate, you must attend an orientation. Sessions run through April 12 at five branches across the borough; check out Brooklyn Public Library’s website for more details and to register.
