New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition  is offered annually by the Science, Industry and Business Library of The New York Public Library in conjunction with its sponsor, Citi Foundation. This is  the 6th edition of the event for New York-based startup entrepreneurs with cash prizes totaling over $30,000. Entrants gain practical insights about starting and growing a business, while using the comprehensive small business resources at SIBL.

The 2015 edition begun in the late 2014 with a series of orientations. Some of which

were packed to the capacity. Orientations were followed by four technical workshops scheduled from January 2015 to April 2015.

•  Workshop 1: Business Planning & Research
•  Workshop 2: Developing Your Marketing Plan
•  Workshop 3: Developing Financial Statements
•  Workshop 4: Pitching/Presenting Your Plan

In the course of writing their business plans, entrants received one-on-one help from business advisors who work in a variety of small business assistance organizations. Participants uploaded their finished business plans to the NY Start UP! Competition Fluid Review room site by June 9, 2015.

Business plans were then reviewed by a panel of judges, which consisted of fifteen busniess people and educators and led by Paisley Demby of PBN Consulting, LLC. They have picked eleven finalists. The finalists this year are: 

• 3500 Voices Plus
• Bridal Bouquet Holders
• Community Kitchen
• Fashion League, Inc.
• Field & Clover
• For Your Quest Media
• Harlem Chocolate Factory
• Just Jazzy Cakes
• Magness Books
• NYC Dogs Café and Lounge
• We Intervene

On August 4, 2015 all finalists were invited to SIBL to pitch their respective businesses to the panel of judges. Below are some photos depicting this phase of the competition. The winners will be announced in September.

View short videos of 2014 and 2013 presentations of the awards.