In Total More than $40,000 Awarded to Brooklyn Entrepreneurs
Including a Queer Book Store and a Low-Tech Interpretation Tool to Help Non-English Patients in the Hospital
Images here.
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library’s 21st annual PowerUP! business plan competition awarded over $40,000 to aspiring entrepreneurs in a ceremony hosted by Hannah Kliger, Brooklyn reporter for CBS News New York. Dime Community Bank presented the $20,000 grand prize to Noir Yoga, a Brooklyn-based yoga studio dedicated to cultivating community through mindful movement.
“For 160 years, Dime has remained a pillar of financial strength for New York’s communities. It is our pleasure, and more importantly, our honor to be the lead sponsor of PowerUP! for the eighth year. We believe that this program unleashes the next generation of business leaders in Brooklyn,” said Stuart H. Lubow, President and CEO of Dime.
Second place and a prize of $10,000 was awarded to May King Innovations. The company’s urgent language interpretation cards empower non-English speaking patients at the hospital and facilitate clear communication with medical staff.
Third place and a prize of $5000 was awarded to Hive Mind Books, a Bushwick-based queer bookstore selling new, used, and discounted books for readers of all ages and across all genres, along with coffee and pastries.
PowerUP! first began in 2003, to provide businesses a helping hand after 9/11. Since then, the PowerUP! contest has provided over $600,000 to over 200 entrepreneurs across the borough. Many of Brooklyn’s most successful and beloved businesses launched with help from PowerUP! including Bogota Latin Bistro, Island Pops, Argyle Yarn, Green in BKLYN, Brooklyn Tea, Greenlight Bookstore, and Tinsel Experiential Design, now a multi-million dollar company.
A judging panel of business owners, nonprofit leaders, and academics selected the 2024 winners awarding Noir Yoga top prize from a field of over 400 entries, most of whom had no previous business experience.
“Starting a business is never easy and I congratulate all of the winners and finalists for their creativity and persistence. We look forward to visiting their shops, downloading their apps, and using their services very soon,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “And thank you to Dime Community Bank for their generous and ongoing support of PowerUP.”
In addition to the top three prize winners, five participants were recognized with merit awards and $1000 of seed money. The merit winners also pitched their ideas to the audience who voted for their favorite. Steeven Nelson was awarded an additional $1000 and the audience favorite award for Outside with Recess Village, a nonprofit creating inclusive outdoor experiences for Black and Brown and other underrepresented adventurers of all ages.
The other merit winners were: Lana Dubkova for U&O, an event production company dedicated to crafting intentional fourth spaces; Isabella Duplat for Home Harvest, an elevated scratch-made meal delivery service; Tia-Marie for Stepping Stones Studio, a co-working studio space for fashion designers and podcasters; and Dr. Kellie McFarlane for Sublime Psych, offering wellness support that combines creative expression with science -backed evidence.
All participants attended free classes on subjects like marketing, business finance and the utilization of library resources. They also received one-on-one business plan assistance from successful entrepreneurs and business experts.
The PowerUP Business Plan Competition is generously supported by Dime Community Bank, lead sponsor of the program. Additional support provided by Data Axle Reference Solutions and Ridgewood Savings Bank.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.