The talent hunt for bright ideas is on. Syracuse students, and students from across New York State, are gearing up to pitch their student-led ventures at the 11th annual New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) Finals, New York’s statewide intercollegiate business plan competition. The competition will be held virtually on May 1, and 2inners will be announced on May 22, 2020.
Student competitors competed at the semi-final competitions hosted by partner colleges and universities held in all 10 regions of New York State – Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Long Island. Top teams from each region advance to the statewide finals. The Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars at Syracuse University coordinated the regional qualifier, Compete CNY, open to all students from Central New York colleges and universities.
Central New York teams going on to the state finals include:
Technology and Entertainment
- Amabassadoor, Bruno Gonzalez Hauger (’21 Whitman), Syracuse University
- Girl Power, Nancy Wang (’20 Whitman), Syracuse University
Consumer Products and Services
- FSCL, Sam Hollander (’23 Whitman and Newhouse), Syracuse University
- Finger Lakes Drone Services, Luke Didion, LeMoyne College
Energy and the Environment
- EcoBamboo Living, Justin Diaz (’23 Engineering and Computer Science), Syracuse University
- CLOVO, Megan Martis, Colgate University
Health and Well Being
- Visos, Matt Shumer (’22 Whitman), Syracuse University
- PAANI, Nikita Chatterjee (’20 Maxwell) and Brianna Howard (’20 Falk), Syracuse University
Military and First Responders:
- Youth Government Services, Daniel McMurray (’19 and G ’20 Maxwell), Syracuse University
During the finals, the top finishers in each track, including NYSERDA’s Energy & Environment Track, AgTech & Food, MedTech & Well-Being, Technology & Entertainment, Military & First Responder, and Consumer Products & Services, will be selected.
Since 2010, over 5,000 students from more than 100 public and private New York colleges, community colleges, and universities have pitched their ventures at the NYBPC. Winners are selected each year by judging panels composed of venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, business leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs. More than 150 companies and social ventures have been launched, contributing more than $100M in economic value over the past decade.
Originally slated to be a live, in-person competition, the NYBPC has pivoted online. Due to the shutdown of colleges and universities across the state, students and organizers have used technology and innovation to move the competition forward.
“The NYBPC showcases the next generation of entrepreneurs. These students are the entrepreneurs who will solve our current problems. Supporting innovation at the earliest stages improves our local economies and addresses our global challenges,” said Noa Simons, Executive Director of Upstate Capital Association of New York. “This program enjoys significant support from major sponsors, philanthropic donors, and community leaders who work together to advance the mission. It is more important than ever to continue moving forward.”
NYBPC supporters include Chet Opalka, Vikram Agrawal, NYSERDA, NYSTAR, NY Ventures, FuzeHub, Saile Ackerman LLC, Eastern NY Angels, Innovate 518, the Sage Colleges and Syracuse University’s Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars.
Learn more at nybpc.org