2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Brooklyn Public Library's PowerUP Business Plan Competition.
Since 2003, PowerUP has nurtured 10,575 individuals with over 1,350 business plans and awarded more than $600,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to Brooklyn entrepreneurs. Our success stories include more than 100 companies with passion for food and drink, health and wellness, arts and crafts, media and fashion, education, social justice, and cultural diversity—everything that makes Brooklyn great.
20th Anniversary Video: The Prize is in the Process
PowerUP! Success Stories
Green in BKLYN, 2009 PowerUP Winner
Meet Elissa Olin, owner of Green in BKLYN, a retail shop located in the Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area. It offers a one-stop shop where people who’d like to live an eco-friendly lifestyle—and those who already do—can find information and products to easily green their home and lives. greeninbklyn.com
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Terrart NYC, 2021 PowerUP Winner
Meet Timothy Chu, Charly Uzcategui and Henger Ydrogo, the owners of Terrart NYC. Integrating ecological and artistic concepts, Terrart NYC products are an affordable and easily sustainable alternative for people seeking to stay connected to mother nature. terrartnyc.com
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DMC Original Art, 2021 PowerUP Winner
Meet Danielle M. Chery, founder of DMC Original Art, whose mission is to spread the energy of peace and freedom through unique, handcrafted decor pieces and abstract creations. dmcoriginalart.com
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Brooklyn Tea, 2018 PowerUP Winner
Meet husband and wife team Jamila Wright and official Tea Sommelier Alfonso Wright, the founders of Brooklyn Tea. Headquartered in Bed-Stuy, the company is dedicated to sourcing and curating the highest quality teas from around the globe. brooklyntea.com
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Island Pops, 2015 PowerUP Winner
Meet married couple Khalid Hamid and Shelly Marshall, the owners of Island Pops, a Crown Heights shop that uses tropical ingredients in traditional and innovative ways to deliver a taste of the Caribbean in a cup, cone or on a stick! islandpops.com
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The Word Is Change, 2020 PowerUP Winner
Meet Alexander Dwinell, owner of The Word Is Change, a Bed-Stuy bookstore that sells used and new books, hosts readings and meetings, buys books for resale, and supports visual artists. thewordischange.com
Upcoming Events
Immigrant Business Help (Bushwick)
Are you an immigrant looking to start or grow a business? Come to the Bushwick Library for multilingual one-on-one help with finding resources to help you start or grow your business.
Sessions are first come, first served.…
The Flower Hour: Cannabis Business Counseling from the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center
Are you a budding entrepreneur in New York's cannabis industry? Join the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center for "The Flower Hour," a special session of our popular Joint Ventures educational series which provides free business counseling to aspiring cannabis business owners
What to Expect…
Medical Debt Clinic
Are you, or someone you know, having a problem with medical debt? Get expert advice from Hospital Bill Assistance Team volunteers, who can help you apply for financial assistance through DollarFor, a national nonprofit that helps patients crush medical bills.
Every New York hospital has a…
2025 PowerUP Business Plan Competition Orientation
The Prize is in the Process!
Enter PowerUP as we celebrate our 22nd year! You could win a $20,000 CASH AWARD to start your Brooklyn-based business. Attend classes, meet with a business counselor and learn how to write a business plan. To apply, you must attend an orientation. …
Immigrant Business Help (Central)
Are you an immigrant looking to start or grow a business? Come to the Central Library's Business & Career Center, Meeting Room 9 for multilingual one-on-one help with finding resources to help you start or grow your business.
…
Immigrant Business Help (East Flatbush)
Are you an immigrant looking to start or grow a business? Come to the East Flatbush Library for multilingual one-on-one help with finding resources to help you start or grow your business.
Sessions are first come, first served…
Tech Help for Your Job Search
Stop by to get answers to your tech questions and build your computer skills in:
Formatting & uploading resumesFormatting & uploading cover lettersNavigating job application websitesFilling out job applicationsThis is an open lab for seeking technical help in a small-group setting…
Drop-In Resume & Career Help (Central Library)
Stop by the Central Library's Business & Career Center for help with your resume, cover letter, interview, and job search questions. All sessions are one-on-one on a first come, first served basis.
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Digital Marketing 101 for the Beauty Industry
No matter your beauty niche, this workshop will help you show up online with clarity and confidence.With 4.5 billion people spending their time online, having a strong digital presence is no longer optional—especially in the fast-paced beauty industry. But knowing where to start, and how to…
2025 PowerUP Business Plan Competition Orientation
The Prize is in the Process!
Enter PowerUP as we celebrate our 22nd year! You could win a $20,000 CASH AWARD to start your Brooklyn-based business. Attend classes, meet with a business counselor and learn how to write a business plan. To apply, you must attend an orientation. …
PowerUP By the Numbers
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- Total number of winners: 183
- Prize money awarded: more than $600,000
- PowerUP companies by industry:
- Hospitality: 34%
- Retail: 13%
- Media: 11.7%
- Fashion & Beauty: 11.7%
- Arts & Crafts: 8.4%
- Education: 7.8%
- Wellness: 7.3%
- Service: 2.8%
- Pet Care: 1.7%
- Social Justice/Cultural Diversity: 1.1%
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