Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUP! Business Plan Competition Awards More Than $30,000 to Borough Entrepreneurs

Professional Development Consulting Firm, Vegan Cosmetics Company, Crown Heights Curry House Among Winners of 13th Annual Contest

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library’s 13th annual PowerUP! Business Plan Competition awarded more than $30,000 to aspiring entrepreneurs at an awards ceremony Tuesday evening. A $15,000 prize was awarded to first-place winners Kimberly Glanville and Ben Howort, founders of The Human Root, a professional development and consulting company that will serve schools, universities, non-profit organizations and businesses.

A judging panel of business owners, advisors and funders selected The Human Root from a field of twelve finalists. The runners-up were Renee Edwards for Never Underestimate Simple, a manufacturer and retailer of vegan beauty products, and Indo Curry, a casual Crown Heights eatery modeled after Japan’s ubiquitous curry houses. Each runner-up received a $5,000 prize, while five other participants received $1,000 merit awards.

“The hundreds of entrepreneurs who competed in the PowerUP! contest this year are all winners,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “We congratulate the contestants for working so hard on their business plans and taking full advantage of the Library’s many free resources for small business owners.”

Since its founding in 2003, the PowerUP! contest has provided a total of more than $300,000 to over 100 entrepreneurs. Businesses launched with help from PowerUP! include Bogota Latin Bistro, Argyle Yarn Shop, Tinsel & Twine Events, and Greenlight Bookstore.

“The Department of Small Business Services cultivates entrepreneurship in communities across New York City. We know that even the smallest start-up business has unlimited potential to create jobs and generate economic growth,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, who delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. “The PowerUP business plan competition offers entrepreneurs a great opportunity to showcase their ideas and to win the seed money needed to help their dreams become a reality. I am proud to support this event and congratulate all of the winners.”

PowerUP! is supported by the Citi Foundation, with additional support from Reference USA and the members of the PowerUP! Success Council, a consortium of volunteers from the business community who assist the Library with the contest.

Of the 550 people who participated in this year’s contest, more than one-quarter were born outside of the United States. Over two-thirds are women, and about 40% hold a college degree. All participants attended classes on subjects like marketing, business finance and the utilization of library resources. They also received one-on-one business plan assistance from successful entrepreneurs and business experts. Sixty-three business plans were submitted for the competition.

In addition to the winners, the PowerUP! finalists included:

Merit Awards:

  • Angela Azorer and David Dean for Everything Jiggy, an online secondhand shop selling modern and vintage styles (toddler to pre-teen) to urban parents.
  • Jennifer Donlin and Alexis Winter for Rock, Paper, Scissors, an e-commerce business providing art kits for young children with a focus on using materials that are upcycled, found in nature or sourced from artisans.
  • Danielle Kwateng-Clark for The Volta, an online boutique selling apparel, accessories, and apothecary from designers of the African Diaspora.
  • Allison Shillingford for Navigate the Maze to Achievement, an educational program that prepares Brooklyn’s students of color for the Specialized High School Admissions Test and supports them while they attend high school.
  • Margaret Spring for M.Spring Studio, crafter of bold statement jewelry and inspired furniture hardware.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Jill Belovin, Liz Bellovin, Beth Costello and Paul Weintrob for Smash Industries, which combines art and light in a unique, customized Artisan Subway Series light fixture marketed primarily to the special event industry.
  • Mariano Henestrosa and Rheanna Abbot for Henestrosa Studio, which markets custom-made branded paintings to the corporate gifting industry.
  • Jennifer Threat for Double Dutch Magazine, a publication that brings today’s issues, in both print and digital formats, to Brooklyn’s girls of Generation Z.
  • Angela Virano for Lali Arts, high-quality children’s arts and craft kits curated with a focus on exceptional concepts and useful end products.

#          #          #

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.

About Citi Foundation:

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.