There is still time to register for the fourth annual Queens StartUP! Business Plan competition and have the chance to win part of $24,000 in prizes.
The Queens Economic Development Corporation, Queens Library and Citi Foundation team up to host the Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition, which provides cash prizes for the best business plans for new and early stage businesses based in Queens. In order to be eligible, entrepreneurs must attend an orientation and four training sessions at Queens Library over four months. Some of the topics covered include sales and marketing, operations and financials.
There are still four orientation sessions left: including Monday, December 7 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Queens Library Central Branch, located at 89-11 Merrick Boulevard; Wednesday, December 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Queens Library Central Branch and two Thursdays, December 10 and 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Queens Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard. Attending an orientation session is mandatory if you want to take part in the competition.
The program encourages small business owners to gain the baseline knowledge they need to succeed while providing them with capital to jumpstart their business. Additionally, one-on-one consultations are available from the Queens Economic Development Corporation.
Last year’s competition drew several hundred participants that walked away with valuable business-related education. Many have gone on to create profitable businesses. According to the Small Business Administration, more than 70 percent of new jobs created in the last decade are with startup companies and the StartUp! Business Plan Competition will help to drive the entrepreneurial spirit of Queens residents.
“The competition helped me focus on not just the goals of the business, but also the means to execute them,” said Gray Sevilla of Cut & Sewn, a design group that placed third in 2008.
Nine winners will receive cash awards totaling $24,000, underwritten by the Citi Foundation. The first prizewinner will receive $12,000. For additional information, or to register, call 718-263-0546 or www.queensny.org.
