Harlem Based Incubator #IncubateNYC Wins National Prize

June 02, 2012

Harlem Based Incubator #IncubateNYC Wins National Prize

Mico HarlemTrends No comments

Harlem-based #IncubateNYC was selected by voters online, among roughly 200 small and emerging businesses, in a contest sponsored by the furniture brand Turnstone. The prize is an office makeover worth $25,000.

#IncubateNYC, is a small business incubator on 125th St. Its purpose is to help other budding entrepreneurs turn their own ideas into gold.

Co-founders Brian Shields and Marcus Mayo are both 28, graduates of Morehouse College, and have been helping small businesses since 2006. They launched their company with help from community investors and the nonprofit Abysinnian Development Corp. and recently picked up additional support from Google. Their offices are on W. 125th St. near Lenox Ave.

By the fall, they hope to open their space, where they will host programs and workshops geared toward providing assistance to needy businesses.

Says Shields, “We’re trying to give people a lot of skills and support. “We want to help them turn their dreams into a reality. ”

Ken Neil, the advertising manager at Turnstone, said he believed #IncubateNYC won because of the commitment and dedication that was conveyed in the video they submitted for the contest.

“They had a great story. They really showed passion for what they do. They had a purpose as well. They want to make a difference for the community in Harlem. We couldn’t be happier for them.”