New York StartUP! 2024 Business Plan Competition

Are you an entrepreneur looking for the chance to launch your business? Join the New York StartUP! 2024 Business Plan Competition! Turn your ideas into reality with access to Library resources, mentorship, and cash prizes between $7,500 and $15,000. Learn more below about the requirements of the competition and how you can get involved.
 


     

    Participation Requirements

    Attend an online orientation session for an overview of the competition including how it works, the requirements, and the timeline. Click here to register.
     

    • Step 2: Submit Your Entry Form

    Complete and submit an entry form by May 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM to participate. The entry form will open on April 24—check back here for a link to the form.
     

    You must attend one session of all four StartUP! competition workshops. 2024 workshop dates are coming soon! Stay tuned.
     

    Business Center librarians can provide resources for marketing and industry research, sample business plans, and business service providers. You must schedule at least one consultation.
     

    You must meet at least once with an expert business advisor to review your plan. See a list of potential business advisors and the form to document your meetings.
     

    • Step 6: Upload a PDF of Your Business Plan

    Upload your completed plan to the competition site by September 18,  2024 at 11:59 PM. 


    For any questions about the StartUP! Competition, please contact startup@nypl.org.

     


       

      Eligibility

      To be eligible for the StartUP! Competition cash prize:

      1. You must live in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island.*
      2. Your business must be in Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island.
      3. All businesses must have ideas or business models in the start-up phase and have earned less than $10,000.

      Click here to review the full rules and eligibility requirements of the competition.

      Prizes    

      • First Prize: $15,000  
      • Second Prize: $10,000
      • Third Prize : $7,500   

      * Do you live in Brooklyn or Queens?
      We welcome all to participate in the competition and learn how to put a business plan together. However, only residents of Manhattan, The Bronx, or Staten Island who start a business in one of these three boroughs are eligible to win a prize.

      Similar competitions are available for residents of Brooklyn and Queens. The Brooklyn Public Library runs the Brooklyn PowerUP! Competition for Brooklyn residents. The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) offers the StartUP! Competition for Queens residents.

       


         

        Past Winners

        Looking for inspiration for your business plan? Meet the past winners of the NY StartUP! Business Plan Competition!