Student Entrepreneur Winners of 2019 New York Business Plan Competition Announced

Student Entrepreneur Winners of 2019 New York Business Plan Competition Announced
Over $85,000 awarded to 30 student teams at 10th Annual NYBPC Finals held in Albany

Upstate Capital, lead organizer of the NYBPC Coalition, today announced the winners of the 2019 New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), which awarded more than $85,000 to fund 30 student-led startups from around New York State, out of over 1,000 competitors statewide.

The final round of the competition was held on Friday, April 26 at the Armory at Sage as part of Upstate Capital’s E^3 Conference for entrepreneurial ecosystem building. The first-prize winning teams, which won $10,000 each, are:

“Working closely with the other members of the NYBPC Coalition, we are proud to lead, organize and manage this hallmark competition,” said Noa Simons, Executive Director of Upstate Capital, a nonprofit professional association that brings innovators and capital providers together to forge a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout New York. “Our state boasts some of the finest higher education institutions in the country, and these passionate and energetic college and university students have the potential to launch and grow some of the most innovative companies in New York, contributing to the economic vitality of communities across the state.”

Altogether, more than 1,000 students participated in the 10 regional competitions that took place throughout New York State in February, March and April of this year. Ninety-two finalists made it to states, which were judged by dozens of entrepreneurs and business leaders who also serve as mentors to help train, connect and inspire this next generation of innovators and job creators.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, “The students in this competition have shown tremendous passion for making a difference in their future, offering innovative solutions to complex challenges, and becoming leaders in their field. Entrepreneurs are a cornerstone of advancing Governor Cuomo’s clean energy and climate agenda and I congratulate all of the winners, especially those who focused on clean energy technologies that will help address some of our most pressing issues.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Providing opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs is an integral part of building a brighter economic future for New York State, and I congratulate the winners of Upstate Capital’s New York Business Plan Competition for their excellence in such a wide range of valuable, innovative fields.”

AgTech & Food Winners First place ($10,000):  SUNA Breakfast, Cornell University
Second place ($2,500): FEI Technology, Syracuse University
Third place ($1,000):  Ponic Hops, SUNY Geneseo
Concept stage award ($500):  Ponic Hops, SUNY Geneseo
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): Ndriana Agro. Skidmore College

Consumer Products & Services Winners
First place ($10,000): NaSo, Colgate University
Second place ($2,500): Cherri, Fashion Institute of Technology
Third place ($1,000): Case-in-Point, SUNY University of Buffalo
Concept Stage ($500): AW, Vaughn College of Aeronautics
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): Izana, Vassar College

NYSERDA’s Energy & Environment Winners
First place ($10,000): Scrap It. SUNY Farmingdale
Second place ($2,500):  Just Plastic, Marist College
Third place ($1,000): Solar Clear, SUNY Stony Brook University
Concept stage award ($500):  Zalara, SUNY Geneseo
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): PAANI, Syracuse University

NYSTAR’s MedTech & Well Being Prize Winners
First place ($10,000): Successful Heart Solutions, University of Rochester
Second place ($2,500): Strongbrain. University of Rochester
Third place ($1,000): Surgino, SUNY University of Buffalo
Concept stage award ($500): mPOD Inc, Cornell University
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): PIV-IT, Marist College

Genius NY’s Military & First Responder Winners
First place ($10,000):  Vets Together, SUNY University of Albany
Second place ($2,500): Workers First, Clarkson University
Third place ($1,000): Safeplexity, Clarkson University
Concept stage award ($500): Eagle-I, CUNY Queensboro Community College
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): Iconoclasm, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute

Technology & Entertainment Winners
First place ($10,000): Our Song, Syracuse University and SUNY Polytechnic
Second place ($2,500): Deadeye, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute
Third place ($1,000):  CLLCTVE, Syracuse University
Concept stage award ($500):  Grow, Cornell University
Minority/Women Owned Business Excellence award ($500): CLLCTVE, Syracuse University

About The NYBPC
The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) is the only leading collegiate business competition that is regionally coordinated and collaborative statewide program, distinguishing it from all other competitions in the nation. Since 2010, more than 4,000 students from public and private New York community colleges, colleges, and universities have pitched their ideas and ventures at the NYBPC. More than $1 million in cash has been awarded. Winners are selected each year by judges, including venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, other sophisticated public and private investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs. Judges select the winners based on the student companies that represents the best investment opportunities.