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…
Resume Help at Brownsville Branch
Do you need help updating or even starting your resume? Brownsville branch is offering one-on-one assistance to anyone looking to sharpen their resume and make progress on their job search. We will provide feedback and suggestions regarding formatting and content and can even help…
Access to Capital Readiness - Session 3
Join Centro Community Partners for a 3-session program “Access to Capital Readiness”!
This free online course aims to understand the sources of financing for entrepreneurs and to prepare adequately to access these sources to grow your business.
What’s included:
Understanding your…
Women and Money: How to Make Sense of Today's Financial Markets
Learn all about today's financial markets from two women who watch it closely.
Join Financial Advisors Julia Strayer and Liz Maccarone as they host The Women and Money Roundtable. This series is a virtual, monthly financial literacy program designed to educate women in all walks of…
NELP Small Business Employment Law Presentation
Neighborhood Entreprenur Law Project (NELP), in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library’s Business and Career Center and the Pace University Small Business Development Center, will be holding a small business virtual legal presentation on employment law.
This presentation will…
SBDC Workshop: Basic Elements of a Business Plan
Whether you are a start-up or existing company, it's never too late to wite your business plan! Develop Your Business Plan with SI SBDC. Meet Joe Muller, Certified Business Advisor at this in-person, no-cost presentation.
This session will cover:
-Why you need a Business Plan
-…
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…
Update Your Skills with Metrix Learning
Learning online is an effective and convenient way to enhance your skills. With Metrix Learning, you will have access to self-paced, expert approved training for 180 days at NO COST to you! Please join this webinar to learn more about the 7,000+ courses Metrix Learning has available and how you…
Resume Help at Brownsville Branch
Do you need help updating or even starting your resume? Brownsville branch is offering one-on-one assistance to anyone looking to sharpen their resume and make progress on their job search. We will provide feedback and suggestions regarding formatting and content and can even help…
Starting a Small Business Introductory Workshop
Interested in starting a small business but don't know where to begin? Attend this workshop to learn the basics about specifying your business idea, business planning, marketing, and technology basics for starting your business. CAMBA's team of entrepreneurial experts 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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