12th Annual New York Business Plan Competition Announces Tracks And Special Prizes

Students across New York State are preparing to pitch their student-led ventures at the 12th annual New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), New York’s statewide intercollegiate business plan competition. 

This year’s competition is being held online, and student entrepreneurs will have networking opportunities and visibility to investors, potential customers and partners, and business leaders from across the state. The $10,000 Grand Prize and other prizes will be awarded on May 7, 2021. 

This year’s tracks have been announced:

  • AgTech & Food 

  • Infrastructure, First Responder & Defense

  • MedTech & Life Sciences

  • Education & Well-Being

  • Consumer & Business Products 

  • Software & Services 

Special Prizes will be awarded across tracks for:

  • Venture-Backable Startup

  • Social Entrepreneur

  • BIPOC Founder

  • Female Founder

  • Veteran Founder

  • Pandemic Response 

Student competitors are gearing up to compete 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.

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. 

“The NYBPC showcases the next generation of entrepreneurs. Supporting innovation at the earliest stages improves our local economies and addresses our global challenges,” said Noa Simons, Executive Director of the 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 sponsors and partners include NY Ventures, NYSTAR, Thompson Hine, FuzeHub, Saile Ackerman LLC, SUNY Research Foundation, Stewart’s Shops, Sciarabba Walker & Co. and Phillips Lytle, and philanthropic donations from Chet Opalka through the Opalka Family Donor Advised Fund and Vikram Agrawal. 

Noa Simons