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
Drop-In Resume & Career Help (Central Library)
Stop by Central Library's Business & Career Center for help with questions about your resume, cover letter, interview, and job search. All sessions are one-on-one on a first come, first served basis.
Roots n Wings: A Youth Development program for Boys Ages 13-19
The Roots & Wings Program is an ongoing youth and young adult development program for boys, ages 13-19, designed to help participants build strong personal foundations, develop life skills, improve communication, strengthen decision-making abilities, enhance leadership skills, and prepare…
Resume Coaching
One-on-one resume coaching at the library offers individualized support to job seekers in crafting and enhancing their resumes. Join us for assistance including feedback and suggestions regarding formatting and content, skills and qualifications you may wish to highlight, and…
Know Your Workers' Rights
Join us for a presentation from New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Rights! Learn about what kind of treatment is and isn't acceptable from your workplace. We will also discuss how you can get support from the City if your workplace is violating your rights.
Digital Skills & AI Literacy Program: Bedford Office Hours
Need support with our Digital Skills and AI Literacy Program? Book a team member for a one-on-one meeting at Bedford. This online, self-paced program is designed to help you prepare for careers in IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, Cybersecurity, UX Design, Digital Marketing, and AI…
Multilingual Business Help
Start or grow your business - in your language!Brooklyn Public Library offers free, one-on-one support for multilingual entrepreneurs of all origins, backgrounds and industries. Whether you're just getting started or already running a small business, we can help…
Addressing Consumer Debt with the City Bar Justice Center
Learn about the Homeowner and Consumer Debt Advocacy Project (HCDP) led by the City Bar Justice Center. This webinar provides an overview of common types of consumer debt and the legal options available to address them, including bankruptcy. Participants will learn how bankruptcy works, who may…
Multilingual Business Help
Start or grow your business - in your language!Brooklyn Public Library offers free, one-on-one support for multilingual entrepreneurs of all origins, backgrounds and industries. Whether you're just getting started or already running a small business, we can help…
Tech Help for Your Job Search
This is a self-service open lab with support tech in the room to answer questions about:
Formatting & uploading resumesFormatting & uploading cover lettersNavigating job application websitesFilling out job applicationsUploading a documentEmailing an employerLaptops will be…
Drop-In Resume & Career Help (Central Library)
Stop by Central Library's Business & Career Center for help with questions about your resume, cover letter, interview, and job search. All sessions are one-on-one on a first come, first served basis.
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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