New York StartUP! 2013 Business Plan Competition

The New York Public Library with its sponsor, the Citi Foundation, announces New York StartUP! 2013 Business Plan Competition for New York-based startup entrepreneurs with cash prizes totaling over $30,000. The fourth annual New York StartUp! gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to bolster their business acumen. Entrants gain practical insights about starting and growing a business, while learning about the comprehensive small business resources at NYPL’s Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL).

How Can I Enter the Competition?

The deadline for entry form is now past. All entrants should review the Orientation slides and competition web pages and become familiar with the requirements.

Review the Orientation presentation slides on this page 

 1. Attend one (1) Orientation Session.

 2. Create an account on the StartUP! 2013 site on ReviewRoom. 
     Note: Creating an account doesn't mean you've submitted an entry form. If you had previously participated in the 2012 New York Start-UP! Competition your name may already be in the Review Room site, and you will need to reset your password.

 3. Submit an entry form on the StartUP! 2013 site on ReviewRoom
     by midnight, January 17, 2013 . (deadline is now past) 
      Your entry form details the type of business you plan to start.

Who Can Enter?  If you are 18 years of age or older, live in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island as a legal resident or US citizen, and wish to start a business in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island -- you are eligible. See Rules and Eligibility

Where Do Orientation Sessions Take Place?  Orientation sessions were held at SIBL, 188 Madison Avenue at 34th St., the Bronx Library Center and the St. George Library Center in Staten Island.  Attending an orientation is a requirement of the competition.  Be sure to review the Orientation presentation slides on this page. 

What's Next? Training Workshops.  All entrants must attend three out of four training workshops, held at SIBL.   Workshops are held from January through April 2013.

What's Else is required? Entrants must meet with an Advisor at least once, preferably more than once, while developing the business plan.

When are the Business Plans Due?  Your business plan must be uploaded to the Start UP! Competition Review Room site no later than midnight,  June 11, 2013.

What Are The Prizes?

1st Place Award:  $15,000.
2nd Place Award: $  7,500.  
3rd Place Award: $  5,000.
4th Place Award:  $ 1,500. 
5th Place Award:  $ 1,500.
 
2012 New York Start Up! Winners! 

First place $15,000 - Dwayne Samuel, R.N., Esq. and Jason Funes, JD for a business plan to create Curatio HCS, a full-service home health care agency in the Bronx.

Second place $7,500 Bernice Mast and Richard J. Becker for their plan to create Wheatless and Meatless, gluten-free vegan burger mixes and meal starters.

Third place 5,000 Rina Mansukhani and Christi Helsel for iEvoke, a plan to create a line of products that uses the powerful connection between scent and memory.

Runner-up : $1,500 Jean-Pierre Adechi of Wheelie
Runner-up : $1,500 Monica Sharma and Kim Nguyen of Runway Exchange

Read about the winners in Upstart Business Journal 

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New York StartUp! 2012 Finalists:

Jean-Pierre Adechi
Case Carpenter
Regina Clark  
Kurt Franz
Rina Mansukhani
Bernice Mast
Dwayne Lloyd Samuel
Monica Sharma
Precious L. Williams, Esq
Shaunte L. Williams

Read about the 2012 finalists.
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Start UP! 2011 Competition - Read about 2011 winners. Link to list of 2011 winners and judges
View a list of the finalists for the 2011 competition.View a video of 2011 Winners (bottom of page) 

Watch a Video about 2010 winners (1st annual competition, 2010)