PowerUP Business Plan Competition 2025 (up to $20,000)

Applications are open for the PowerUP Business Plan Competition 2025. Since 2003, they have nurtured 10,900 individuals with over 1,800 business plans and awarded more than $650,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to Brooklyn entrepreneurs. The 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.

Participants will attend a series of interactive Zoom webinar classes designed to equip them with essential entrepreneurial skills. These sessions will cover key topics such as how to create a comprehensive business plan, develop effective marketing strategies, prepare realistic financial projections, and conduct thorough business research. While all sessions are highly valuable, the classes on financial projections and business research are mandatory, as they form the foundation for building a viable and investment-ready business.

Benefits of PowerUP Business

• Winners will receive cash awards as seed capital to start a business in Brooklyn. Cash prizes of $20,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, $5,000 for third place, and $1,000 for five merit winners will be awarded.
• Also, during the awards ceremony, one of the merit winners will be chosen by the audience to receive an additional $1,000!

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Eligibility for PowerUP Business

• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older;
• Live in Brooklyn and plan to start a business in Brooklyn;
• Participants must attend the orientation, get a Brooklyn Public Library Card, meet with a business advisor, and attend a minimum of 3 PowerUP webinar classes.

Application

The competition is administered through an online platform. All prospective applicants must attend the orientation before applying. The orientation explains all the details of applying to and participating in the competition.

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