PowerUP 20th Anniversary

Celebrating 20 years of Brooklyn entrepreneurship

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
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

Terrart NYC
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

DMC Original Art
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

Brooklyn Tea
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

Island Pops
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

The Word Is Change
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

Thu, May 1 10:00am
Central Library, Business & Career Center, Event Room

business small business

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

Thu, May 1 12:00pm
Sunset Park Library

adult learning business career

If you are an immigrant (whether you recently arrived to the United States or have been here for a while) 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…

Career Computer Lab: Working with Word

Thu, May 1 2:00pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center, Classroom

business career computer basics

This drop-in lab is geared to help you create and edit your own resume or cover letter on Microsoft Word and will have real world practice exercises. Staff offer guidance on resumes and cover letters but DO NOT write or type these documents for you.

Glow & Grow presents AI & Branding in the Beauty Industry: Elevate Your Brand with Smart Strategies

Thu, May 1 4:00pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center

Bklyn Incubator business small business

Learn how to build a strong beauty brand with AI-driven tools and strategies.

Event Description:

AI is transforming the beauty industry, sparking both innovation and questions about its role in branding and…

Resume Coaching

Thu, May 1 5:30pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center

adult learning business career

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…

Drop-In Resume & Career Help (Central Library)

Fri, May 2 11:00am
Central Library, Business & Career Center

business career resume

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

Fri, May 2 12:00pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center, Classroom

business career computer basics

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 applications

This is an open lab for seeking technical help in a small-group setting…

Ten Steps to Start A Business

Fri, May 2 2:00pm
Central Library, Business & Career Center, Event Room

business community partner small business

Build Your Empire: Startup Essentials for Brooklyn Entrepreneurs!

Brooklyn's buzzing with brilliant ideas, and the SBA, alongside Brooklyn Public Library's Business & Career Center, is here to help you turn those visions into reality. Kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with this…

LevelUP Technology Cohort Closing Ceremony

Fri, May 2 4:00pm
Central Library, Dweck Center

business levelup

PowerUP By the Numbers

PowerUP 20th anniversary

  • 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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