Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge Helps Local Entrepreneurs Launch, Grow Successful Businesses
Contestants Take Classes, Network, and Vie for Up to $20,000 in Prizes
(Kew Gardens, NY) — Do you want to learn more about AI, branding, and financing? Would you like to meet other entrepreneurs? Are you looking for $20,000 to grow your Queens business or get a new one off the ground?
The Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge 2027 (QTIC), a six-month instruction-and-funding competition, launches during a special kickoff event at The Local at 13-02 44th Ave. in Long Island City on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.
Admission is free, and attendees will learn that QTIC participants take courses on such topics as agentic AI, AI-assisted Go-to-Market Strategy, and Financial Planning while also receiving one-on-one consultations with experts. In late February 2027, participants will submit their online applications in one of four categories -- Digital Innovation, Food + Consumer Products, Community, and Sustainability + Social Good -- to a panel of experts, who choose several finalists in each category. Then in April, those finalists will make live pitches to a second panel as they compete for four grants of as much as $20,000 each.
Innovation Challenge Continues After
Sponsor's Messages Below...
Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge
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Register at www.queensstartup.org. Entrants must be 18 or older and be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Businesses must be legally registered, tax-compliant, and operating with up-to-date licenses and permits. (Please direct questions to Michael Gillen at mgillen@queensny.org.)
One of the longest-running startup competitions in New York City, QTIC began as the StartUP! program in 2006. It’s hosted by the Queen Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.’s Office and with leadership support from Resorts World New York City.
“I’m extremely happy to kick off this year’s QTIC,” stated QEDC Executive Director Ben Guttmann. “Coming off of our biggest competition yet, it’s exciting to welcome a new class of entrepreneurs into this long-running program. It’s thrilling to see all the innovative energy that these Queens entrepreneurs bring each and every year. Thanks so much to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and Resorts World New York City for their dedicated, long-term support.”
"There is no sector of our economy that is growing faster than the technology and innovation space, creating countless jobs in the process. Every year, we aim to harness that growth and the entrepreneurial spirit here in our borough with our Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the Queens Economic Development Corporation," stated Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I look forward to hearing so many incredible pitches from startup founders across the borough in the coming months, as we ensure these future business leaders have the seed funding they need to grow their companies and create economic opportunities in their communities."
“Entrepreneurial business is the bedrock of the borough’s economy, and we are happy to provide continued leadership support for this unique and effective program,” stated Michelle Stoddart, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Resorts World New York City. “Do you have a plan to make your mark on Queens? This is your chance to take the next, exciting step.”
Past Winners
Since its founding, QTIC has awarded more than $900,000 in grants to 95 entities chosen from a combined pool of 5,600 participants. Here are last year’s winners.
Community: Magdala Noel (Queens Village) and Hand in Hand Speech Therapy, a mobile unit that provides polylingual pediatric speech-and-language services to children.
Consumer Tech: Erick Molina (Richmond Hill) and CMPO, an app that helps organize adult recreational leagues.
Enterprise Tech: Daniel Khalighinejad and Hesam Shams (Long Island City) and the real estate feasibility platform Dwellci AI.
Food: Rathan Kanagarajah (Long Island City) and Sivaro Snacks, which prepares, packages, and sells healthy snacks with dried fruit, nuts, and spices, but no seed oils.
Sustainability: Kelly Tigera (Long Island City) and Orbit Exchange, a marketplace for reclaimed construction materials. Please note that this category doesn't exist this year.
About QEDC
The Queens Economic Development Corporation works to create, attract, and maintain jobs through small business development, neighborhood revitalization, entrepreneurship programs, and tourism promotion, helping expand economic opportunity throughout the World’s Borough. More information can be found at www.QueensNY.org.
New Self-Help Book
“Blame It on the Feel of Pain”
About Detangling From Past Pain
Get ready for a transformational journey toward inner peace as indie author Max W. Miller’s new self-help release, Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, inspires readers in a witty, down-to-earth book. Truth and compassion are foretold, using poetic frames called ‘The Wises,’ and the help of opinionated little emojis bringing laughter and thought-provoking conclusions throughout.
The author encourages her readers, whom she also calls partners, to stop wrestling with the hard knocks of the past. She expresses how voluntarily walking back into time precedes trauma healing. Confronting lingering pains is a step toward strength and hope for the future. ‘Blame It’ delves into the author’s life experiences, bringing to life the importance of using Full Circle Moments to find resolutions.
Throughout Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, the reader grows to understand through a unique interpretation that what we are destined to become grows out of the years we’ve already traveled. Further, our future hinges on how we address the pains of the past. Other expressions focus on how desires in the present are carved out of having a clear vision that old, lingering strongholds must be defeated. A history of suffering is a prerequisite for becoming fed up enough to demand enjoyment now!
To Get On the Road To Overcoming Your Trauma See Her Exclusive Interview
Order Her Book Blame It On The Feel Of Pain
See Max Miller's Other Articles on The Southeast Queens Scoop
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While there are brilliant persons on the Autism Spectrum celebrated today, very little media stories focus on people, especially women of color. Our co-publisher's new bio-pic "nZinga's Spectrum In 3D," is a moving and inspirational documentary on how a young Black woman RISES to overcome her challenges.
nZinga Austin is also the Co-publisher of Our Black News Scoop and Southeast Queens Scoop. The documentary of about 1/2 hr long is getting rave reviews.Checkout Nzinga's Spectrum in 3D now Click Here. Please share
Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.
Since you are here think about this please. Do You Want The Southeast Queens Scoop To Continue To Promote Empowering News and Events largely ignored by the corporate owned mainstream media in our area?
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