Have an idea for a startup business? It may be worth $10,000.
The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) launched its seventh annual Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition, which will award three businesses $10,000 to get their idea off the ground.
“We are extremely happy to offer StartUP! again,” said QEDC executive director Seth Bornstein.
The competition is backed by a $50,000 grant from the Citi Foundation.
The contest includes a series of free workshops beginning in October at the Jamaica branch of the Queens Library. Running through January, classes can also be taken via webinar.
“Entrepreneurial business is the bedrock of Queens’ economy. Queens Library has so many resources to help businesses grow and succeed,” said Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO of Queens Library.
StartUP! had well over 200 participants in 42 teams submit business plans to the judges last year. The winners included a plan for an all-natural premium ice cream and sorbet truck, Itizy Gourmet; a start-up that eliminates the need to dig through purses for personal items, Seez-it; and an accent-reduction services business, Social Enterprise.
For the first time, this year’s competition will include a $5,000 entrepreneurship award handed out to a Queens College student.
James Muyskens, president of Queens College, said the school’s inclusion this year reflects the “commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that is crucial to the borough’s development.”
To enter you must live in Queens and want to start a business that will be registered, owned and operated in the borough. Your business must still have less than $20,000 in revenue or still be in a concept phase.
Business plans are due by March 1, 2013.
For more info, visit www.queensny.org/qedc.
