MARCY, N.Y. — Seven student teams were named regional finalists in the Mohawk Valley region semifinal of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), hosted by SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the college announced in a press release.
Four SUNY Poly student-led ventures are among the finalists advancing in the statewide competition, along with teams featuring SUNY Cobleskill and Hamilton College students.
In the food and agtech category, Haliman’s, headed up by Amar Halimanovic of SUNY Poly. took first place while Feed Your Soul, headed by Isabella Alotta of SUNY Cobleskill, took second.
Eutrobac LLC, led by Jesse Wexler and Ellie Sangree of Hamilton College, took top honors in the safety, power, and mobility category.
SUNY Poly-student led teams Hutnumber22 by Inzamam UL Haq Shaik and Sai Manideep Reddy Lakkireddy and Tassel by Lucas Nowlan and Joshua Bump took first and second place, respectively, in the learn, work, and live category.
In the products and hardware category, SUNY Cobleskill’s Jacob Lujbli of FixStix took top honors.
Truthentic Solutions, by Natalie Bonila, Long Phan, Queyn Carbera, and Jake Leland of SUNY Poly took first place in the software and services category.
The overall winning teams received cash prizes including $2,000 for Eutrobac as the first-place grand–prize winner, $1,000 for Hailman’s in second place, and $500 for Hutnumber22 as the Best of the Mohawk Valley winner for embodying regional characteristics.
The Mohawk Valley semifinal competition drew interest from 26 students who competed as part of 10 teams which pitched their business proposals for a chance to reach the final round of the statewide contest and win cash prizes. Regional competitions took place across the state’s 10 economic-development regions.
Regional winners now can submit their materials for a chance to earn a spot in the state finals, which take place April 25 and offer a grand prize of $25,000.
The New York Business Plan Competition, powered by the Upstate Capital Association of New York, promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students across the state who pitch business plans to seasoned investors. They also have the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges from the business community. The finals connect students with business professionals, provide experiential learning opportunities, connect entrepreneurs with resources, and award up to $100,000 in cash prizes to seed new ventures.