The Upstate Capital Capital Association of New York, in collaboration with the New York State Economic Development Council and FuzeHub, will host the ninth annual New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) on Friday, April 27, in Albany, New York.
Ten Syracuse University student venture teams will be among the finalists competing for top state prizes.
The NYBPC is a venture creation and innovation competition that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship throughout New York’s colleges and universities. The 2018 NYBPC finalists were selected from regional competitions across New York State’s 10 Regional Economic Development Council zones – Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Long Island. Regional partner colleges and universities hosted semifinal competitions in their regions in late March and early April.
The top teams from each of New York State’s 10 economic development regions face off this week for the grand prize at the state finals. State winners are selected by judges that include venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, and seasoned entrepreneurs.
Last year, Syracuse University students won $140,000 of the $160,000 in prizes, capturing four of the top six categories, as well as the grand prize. (Last year’s winners pictured.)
This year’s regional qualifier was sponsored by the Blackstone LaunchPad as part of the iPrize on March 23 at Bird Library. Syracuse University winners selected to go on to the statewide competition include:
- Information Technology/Software – Weather Optics and Ravle
- Social Entrepreneurship/Non-Profit – Drop Top and Food for Community
- Clean Technology – Farm to Flame and Fibre Free
- Products – In-Spire and WAYV
- Services – Starfruit and Fresh U
Teams have the opportunity to win first, second and third place cash prizes in each of the six tracks, along with People’s Choice award in each category, and MWBE awards.
The Blackstone LaunchPad team will be coaching them for the state competition.