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
Pace SBDC Business Counseling @ BPL
The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering weekly, free, in-person one-to-one business advisement at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Business & Career Center!
These Business Advisement sessions are available to existing small businesses and…
Immigrant Job Support (one-on-one) Sessions
If you are an immigrant (whether you recently arrived to the United States or have been here for a while) stop by the Sunset Park Library 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.
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…
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.
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 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.
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…
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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