Queens is the future – and Queens is building the future

There's no place like Queens. Each day, more than 2.4 million dreamers wake up here and set to work on making their very own version of the American Dream to reality. They come from every corner of the world, and they speak hundreds of different languages, but they all share the same spark.

Since 2006, we've helped thousands of those dreamers make the magic happen through the Queens Tech + Innovation Challenge (QTIC). Originally named Queens StartUP!, this program brings together experts and resources from across New York City to foster entrepreneurship and build opportunity in the World's Borough.

QTIC is a half-year program that includes a full calendar of in-person education and networking events, virtual workshops, and one-on-one counseling availabilities, all designed to cover vital topics in business and technology. To qualify for competition phase, entrants must participate in a minimum number of these opportunities.

Qualified participants then advance to the competitive pitch stage, which takes place over two rounds. The first round is asyncronous, with teams submitting their pitches to be judged and scored by a panel of experts. The finalists are announced at an event in early spring.

Finalists then advance to the final round of live pitches, held in late spring in front of a panel of industry experts. Scores are tallied, and winners are announced at a special reception later that very same evening.

Winning teams receive a cash prize of up to $20,000 each, in addition to a basket of in-kind prizes to help them build their business.

QTIC is a program of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, held collaboration with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., and with leadership support from Resorts World New York City. Previous sponsors have also included Google, Airbnb, AT&T, Con Edison, Silicon Valley Bank, and JetBlue.

Our winners, finalists, and entrants have gone on to employ thousands of New Yorkers, open shops and restaurants across the city, raised millions of dollars in venture capital, and been featured across national media. Will you be the next great Queens success story?