Brownsville Business Incubator Opening Saturday

• Pictured: inside the 3 Black Cats Cafe and Cakery. Photo courtesy of The Dream Big Foundation

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — A Brownsville business incubator designed to mentor and fund local entrepreneurs is opening its doors on Saturday, June 18.

The Dream Big Innovation Center, located at 3 Belmont Ave., is the work of the Dream Big Foundation, founded in 2001 by businessman Rob LoCascio.

According to spokeswoman Erica Feigenbaum, the 5,000-foot Center will function as a co-working space where entrepreneurs can rent access to desks, wifi, smart-TVs, and other equipment they need to develop business ideas.

Additionally, the Center will have mentors from a variety of industries on hand — including food, technology, marketing and health care — to work with entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, as well as a basement meeting space that can be rented out for events or presentations.

A photo posted by @dreambigfoundation on Apr 28, 2016 at 2:14pm PDT

Feigenbaum said the Center will be open to everyone, but Brownsville residents 18 and over will also be able to apply for start-up capital through the Foundation.

One venture that has already received funding is the 3 Black Cats Cafe and Cakery, which will share the Center's space.

The business was founded by Brownsville sisters Diana, Ionna and Melissa Jimenez.

Saturday's grand opening runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Those with questions can reach Pernell Brice, the Center's director, at 646-241-1462.