Update: Plans are now due Friday, June 26, 2020

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The New York Public Library is proud to announce the 11th Annual New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition for New York-based startup entrepreneurs. Entrants can win $15,000 to start their business, as well as gain practical insights about starting and growing a business while using the comprehensive small business resources at NYPL’s Business Library (SIBL).

Are you eligible?

You must live in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island *

Your business must be in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island

All businesses must have ideas or business models in the start-up phase and have earned less than $10,000

For more details see our Rules and Eligibility page.

What are the requirements?

How to Enter:

Prizes:

• $15,000 – Bank OZK Community Impact Award

• $7500 – 2nd Place

Questions about the StartUp! Competition? Contact startup@nypl.org

Do you live in Brooklyn or Queens? There are similar competitions are available for residents of Brooklyn and Queens.

Brooklyn Public Library runs the Theruns the Brooklyn PowerUP! Competition for Brooklyn residents.

The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) offers the StartUP! Business Plan Competition for Queens residents.

Meet the 2019 New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition Finalists

2019 New York StartUP! Finalists

Grand Prize Winner: Maurisa Westbury- Adirah Inc.

First Runner-Up: Leslie Raucher & Maegan White-Rescue Toolkit, LLC.

Honorable Mention: Ashley M. Scott-The Happy Glow; Stacy McCoy Prime—Upstream Design Lab, Inc.

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NY Startup 2019 Finalists:

Adrienne Walker & Stephanie Rogers - The Menopause Pack

Leslie Raucher & Maegan White - Rescue Toolkit, LLC

Diane Tinsley - Kids Dance Revolution

Stacy McCoy Prime - Upstream Design Lab, Inc.

Elona Bilovol - cosmetics manufacturing

Maurisa Westbury - Adirah Inc.

Ashley M. Scott - The Happy Glow

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The top prize of $15,000 went to Kweer Cards, which crafts unique greeting cards for the LGBTQ+ community.



Founded by Ken Moore, Kweer Cards’ growing line of high-quality greeting cards strives to capture the experiences and sentiments of a currently underserved market through inclusive and whimsical designs. Read the press release.

2018 Finalists:

Gladys Henriquez -- Know My Rights Clothing Co.

Josalyn Mayfield --- Co.Co. ( Coffee & Cocktails)

Kariyma-Hamilton -Defy Lingerie

Kenneth Moore -----kweercards

Maureen Miller -----Mo Possibilities Inc.

Pamela Hawkins ----Organic Love Beauty, LLC

Pooja Khanna -------Begin-to-Heal, LLC.

Siu-Kwan Tsui ------CyberGuardian

Steve Roberts -------Mangi

Ventrice Lam -------Classkite

Honorable Mention:

Pooja Khanna

Josalyn Mayfield

Read the press release about the winner

** View the finalists talking about their plans.