12th Annual New York Business Plan Competition Announces Sponsors

Highland, NY - Sponsors for the 12th annual New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), New York’s statewide intercollegiate business plan competition, have been announced. 

Sponsors include NY Ventures, NYSTAR, SEFCU, FuzeHub, Thompson Hine, Saile Ackerman LLC, SUNY RF, Workforce Development Institute, Kohler, NextCorps, Think Dutchess, Launch NY, Stewarts Shop, Sciarabba Walker & Co., and Phillips Lytle. The event is supported by a number of philanthropists, including The Opalka Family Donor Advised Fund and Vikram Agrawal. At the online event, 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.

Lindsay Karas Stencel, Partner of Early Stage & Emerging Companies at Thompson Hine, says that Thompson Hine is proud to sponsor the event and support the spirit of entrepreneurship. “The annual event unifies participants from across the state in the spirit of friendly competition as they foster and develop some of the most game-changing and unique ideas that will help to shape the future of the state, country, and the world.” 

Beyond prizes, the NYBPC “provides a platform for students with creative ideas to create businesses and new opportunities,” according to Elena Garuc, Executive Director of FuzeHub. 

Rich Honen, Venture Capital & Technology Practice Team Leader at Phillips Lytle, says that competing in the NYBPC prepares students for their futures in business. “Participating in a business plan competition forces young entrepreneurs to think critically about virtually every aspect of their company. The value of their technology, their target market and its size, competitors, key milestones, the needs and/or strength of individual contributors within their business, and their financial projections.” 

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. 

Learn more at nybpc.org. Registration is open and press passes are available. 

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