Apply here by March 15 for Compete CNY, the regional qualifier for the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC). The event is coordinated by the LaunchPad and will run concurrently with the iPrize on March 26. It is open to any full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university in the Central New York Region (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego Counties). Top teams will be selected at the regional qualifier to move on to the statewide competition by The Upstate Capital Foundation and The Upstate Capital Association of New York.
Since 2010, more than 4,000 students have participated in the NYBPC, with more than 150 student-led ventures started. The NYBPC provides opportunities for students enrolled in colleges and universities across New York to gain entrepreneurial skills and compete on their ingenuity, first on campus, then in the region, and for top teams, the statewide finals. The program has created over $150M+ economic impact including follow-on funding for 100+ startups.
The six competition tracks this year will be:
- Ag Tech & Food
- Infrastructure, First Responder & Defense
- Med Tech & Life Sciences
- Education & Well Being
- Consumer & Business Products
- Software & Services
In addition to the grand prize, special awards will be given in the following categories:
- Venture backable
- Social entrepreneurship
- BIPOC
- Female Founder
- Veteran Founder
- COVID-19 Response