Five Queens-based businesses were named winners of the 2025 Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge and each received a $20,000 grant during a ceremony held Wednesday, May 7, at Resorts World New York City in South Ozone Park.
The annual competition, organized by the Queens Economic Development Corporation in partnership with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.’s Office, supports local entrepreneurs by providing business development training and financial support. The winners were selected from a pool of more than 600 participants.
The five-month challenge included one-on-one consultations, workshops on topics such as AI, marketing, and financial planning, and networking opportunities. Entrepreneurs then submitted applications to a panel of judges, who selected three finalists in each of five categories: Community, Consumer Tech, Enterprise Tech, Food & Beverage, and Sustainability. Finalists pitched their businesses to a second round of judges, who selected the winners.
The winners are Michelle Lauren Siegel of Move. Make. Bloom., a dance studio in Oakland Gardens focused on adult training and performance; Charles Medenilla of ChipedIn, a gifting platform based in Hollis/Kew Gardens; Holly Jooyoung Diamond of WorkOnward, a Briarwood-based map-based hiring platform connecting small businesses and job seekers; Milène Jardine of Milène Jardine Chocolatier in Long Island City, which produces artisanal chocolates inspired by global flavors; and Nabil Khatri of Queens Bike Share in Flushing, which offers electric, cargo, and family bikes for rent with accessories like helmets and child seats.
QTIC, now in its third year, is a continuation of the Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition that ran from 2006 to 2023. With the support of the Borough President’s Office, the challenge has been expanded to offer more robust training and exposure for small business owners across the borough.
Sponsors for this year’s competition included Con Edison, Google, Queens Public Library, and Resorts World New York City. The awards ceremony also marked a leadership transition at QEDC, as outgoing Executive Director Seth Bornstein was honored and incoming Executive Director Ben Guttmann was introduced.
