Venture NY on April 27, 2023 in Syracuse brought together startups, investors, business leaders, and student entrepreneurs in Syracuse to discuss entrepreneurship and innovation. The event featured the NYBPC Grand Prize Finals where over $100,000 was awarded to winning teams.
- The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) Grand Prize Finals took place during the event, with 75 teams from 35 schools competing for the grand prize title. RHM Innovations Inc. won the NYBPC Grand Prize with their assistive bathing technology, the Aiding Arm, which allows users to control water flow while seated safely in a shower chair. RHM won $25,000, plus a special prize for having a diverse founding team. Read more about the program and winners (LINK).
- Upstate Capital announced a new pilot initiative called Invest NY, an open-access database that maps the New York innovation ecosystem and provides information on startups, investors, and resources. Yoram Wijngaarde, CEO of Dealroom, spoke about the platform and the current state of the New York ecosystem. Check out Yoram’s presentation (LINK).
- A panel of advisors and entrepreneurs shared knowledge and insights with the audience about their journeys starting businesses and resources for startups in the region. Speakers included Matt Pelkey from Colligan Law, Eliza Edge from the Hudson Valley Venture Hub, Christine Howard from EB Howard Consulting, and entrepreneurs David Craig from GRYT Health, and Dan Sola from Archangel Imaging.
- A conversation about early stage funds and networks was moderated by Jim Senall, with speakers including Ryoko Nozawa from NY Ventures, Nancy Vailakis from Ancram IRBD, Jack McGowan from Buffalo Angels, Emily Reith from Red Bear Angels, Jeff Werner from Westchester Angels and Hudson Valley Angels, and Melinda Little from Point Positive.
- The keynote presentation by John Hill from Techstars emphasized the pillars of entrepreneurial ecosystems and the importance of building personal networks in entrepreneurship.
- Startup Resources Expo featured support organizations for entpreneneurs and startups.
ACCELERATORS + COMPETITIONS
Save the date for Venture NY 2024 – Friday, April 26, 2024.