PowerUP! Competition: General Information

CONGRATULATIONS to all those who participated in PowerUP! this year! All of you who handed in a plan should get a very big round of applause for the time, energy, and commitment you put into the project. It's a great accomplishment and a clear step forward in the march to opening a business.

This year 66 plans were received. All the plans look great and it will be a difficult job for the judges to select finalists. At this time the plans are being reviewed by 14 judges who will meet in November to determine finalists. Finalists will be notified by November 20 in order to prepare their presentation; December 2 is currently the date for finalists to make their presentations.

Winners will be announced Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at the PowerUP! Awards Ceremony. Its an exciting and fun event and you are all invited to join the festivities. Check the website for more details as the event nears.

For those of you who did not complete your plans, we hope your participation in the PowerUP! competition provided you with valuable information about starting a business as well as ways in which the Brooklyn Public Library can assist you in your business needs. Please continue to visit us and attend our programs - we look forward to seeing you at the library.

Everyone is a Winner!

Who Can Enter?

If you are 18 years of age or older, live in Brooklyn, are a legal resident or US citizen, and wish to start a business in Brooklyn, you are eligible. "PowerUP!" is a competition to help applicants start a business.

What Is the Prize?

Three winners will receive cash awards for entering the best business plan to start a business in Brooklyn. Cash prizes of $15,000 for first place and $5,000 for two runners-up will be awarded.

What Do I Have to Do to Participate?

You must get a Brooklyn Public Library Card and attend a few classes at the Brooklyn Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn, NY, 718-623-7000.

How Can I apply?

The application process is closed. All applicants must attend one orientation. Over 500 individuals attended one of six orientation sessions in April. We hope to offer the contestant again next year. If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive notice of next year's competition click here.

Acknowledgments

PowerUP! is brought to you by the Brooklyn Public Library's Business Library Success Council and Citi Foundation.

Citi Foundation is BPL's Business Library corporate sponsor of educational programs and has been an annual supporter of the Business Library since 2000.