2025 NYBPC Final Results

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), celebrating the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers across New York State.

Hosted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY on April 24, the NYBPC Finals welcomed over 350 student entrepreneurs, advisors, and professionals from 65 colleges and universities across all 10 regions in the state. Finalists pitched their ventures live to judges from New York’s business and investment community, competing in six tracks and for the prestigious Grand Prize.

Grand Prize Winner
Sara Technology – Columbia University
Sara Technology took home the $25,000 Grand Prize for its AI-powered platform that expands access to pediatric speech therapy. The team’s mission to make speech therapy more affordable and accessible for families and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) stood out for its impact and scalability.

“We’re incredibly grateful to be recognized by the New York Business Plan Competition,” said Co-Founder Jiaxin Zhang. “This recognition strengthens our momentum and opens new doors for partnerships, funding and growth.”

Health & Wellbeing

  • 1st Place: Sara Technology – Columbia University

  • 2nd Place: VAPGuard – University of Rochester

  • 3rd Place: Sante – Columbia University

  • Concept Stage Award: Empathera – Cornell University

Food & AgTech

  • 1st Place: BuzzHive – Binghamton University

  • 2nd Place: SipSafe+ – Syracuse University

  • 3rd Place: Adapt Nutrition – Clarkson University

  • Concept Stage Award: Xila – Fashion Institute of Technology

Safety, Power & Mobility

  • 1st Place: Slice Guard – Clarkson University

  • 2nd Place: Jaden – Cornell University

  • 3rd Place: Everlasting Technology – Colgate University

  • Concept Stage Award: Slice Guard – Clarkson University

Learn, Work & Live

  • 1st Place: NIL Finder – SUNY Cortland

  • 2nd Place: Renewed Life House – SUNY Ulster

  • 3rd Place: Homii – University of Rochester

  • Concept Stage Award: Brailleo – Cornell University

Software & Services

  • 1st Place: Filmify – Cornell University

  • 2nd Place: KnotHastags – St. John’s University

  • 3rd Place: LocalLists – Binghamton University

  • Concept Stage Award: WingStat – Syracuse University

Products & Hardware

  • 1st Place: Polar Hockey – Skidmore College

  • 2nd Place: SOLACE Collective – Syracuse University

  • 3rd Place: Twelve Twenty One – SUNY Buffalo State

  • Concept Stage Award: Kipkees – Pratt Munson

About the NYBPC
The New York Business Plan Competition is the state’s premier student entrepreneurship event, providing mentorship, resources, and funding to help turn student-led ideas into thriving ventures. The competition is organized by the Upstate Capital Association of New York, uniting students from community colleges, four-year institutions, and universities from every region of the state.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors:

  • Empire State Development – New York State of Opportunity

  • SUNY RF

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • Colligan Law

  • FuzeHub

  • Tech Valley Center of Gravity

  • Garville Corp

  • Walrath Recruiting, Inc.

  • Northwestern Mutual

Event Photos
Photos from the event are available to download and share. Don’t forget to tag Upstate Capital on LinkedIn when posting!

Sydney Sobotik