JOIN THE NEXT GENERATION

The NYBPC is New York’s largest and most prestigious intercollegiate entrepreneurship competition. Since 2010 we have provided a platform for New York’s next generation of entrepreneurs to receive prize money, make connections, find mentorship, commercialize NY’s collegiate innovation hubs, and launch new ventures.

What’s in it for you:

• Receive feedback from experts in their field

• Potential investment opportunities

• Experience delivering pitches

The New York Business Plan Competition features regional competitions in New York’s ten geographic zones – Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island - followed by a final, statewide competition.

The regional semifinals are hosted by local partner colleges and universities in late March. The top two teams from six different industry or vertical tracks in each region are invited to compete in the statewide competition. The winners at all levels of the competition are selected by esteemed judges, including venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, experienced entrepreneurs, and leaders from the business community.

Competing in the nybpc

Applications will be opening soon! . In the mean time you can out read up on what to expect on the student application.

We’re already gearing up for the 2026 NYBPC, but in the meantime, feel free to peruse our 2025 guidebooks for a feel of what to expect.

Additional Resources:
2025 NYBPC Rulebook
2025 Judging Rubric
NYBPC Presentation Suggestions: Slide Deck Template
Executive Summary Template

Example Presentations:
RHM Innovations: Courtney Burris (University at Buffalo) + Brandon Davis Burris (University of Rochester), (2023 Grand Prize Winner, pitching at the NYBPC Finals)
Photonect: Juniyali Nauriyal and Sushant Kumar, University of Rochester (2022 Grand Prize)

2025 competition calendar

The 2024-2025 New York Business Plan Competition will feature regional competitions in New York’s ten geographic zones – Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes, Western New York, Southern Tier, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island - followed by a final, statewide competition with three rounds, leading to the Finals on April 24, 2025. Regional competition dates vary, but take place March - April.

Initial applications due: March 1, 2025 - APPLY HERE.

Regional Competitions - vary by location:

Capital District: Submission Deadline: March 21 - Regional Competition @ HVCC: April 4 - website
- Regional contact: Jodi Mather, Danielle Blesi
Central New York: Submission Deadline: March 21 - Regional Competition @ Onondaga Community College: March 28 - website
- Regional contact: Robert Griffin
Finger Lakes: Submission Deadline: March 21 - Regional Competition @ St. John Fisher University: March 28
- Regional Contact: Dr. Chantz Miles
Long Island: Submission Deadline: March 21 - Regional Competition @ SUNY Farmingdale: March 27
- Regional contact: Kim Forman, Richard Vogel
Mid-Hudson Valley: Submission Deadline: March 18 - Regional Competition @ SUNY New Paltz: March 26 - website
- Regional Contacts: Eliza Edge
Mohawk Valley: Submission Deadline: March 31 - Regional Competition @ SUNY Poly: April 4
- Regional Contact: Robert Edgell
New York City: Submission Deadline: March 20 - Regional Competition @ Touro University: March 27
- Regional Contact: Gavin Goldstein
North Country: Slide Deck Submission Deadline: March 27 - Regional Competition @ Clarkson University: April 4
- Regional Contact: Demetrius Boone
Southern Tier: Submission Deadline: March 14 - Regional Competition on March 21 online
- Regional Contact: Emma Smith
Western New York: Submission Deadline: TBD: Regional Competition @ University at Buffalo: April 4
- Regional Contact: Kelsey Wagner

NYBPC Finals Competition - 3 Rounds:

Round One: (Asynchronous and Online)
April 8 @ midnight: Student deadline to submit materials for Round One of the State Finals.
April 10 - April 17: First round judges will review submissions.
April 17: Judges will deliberate and choose the top teams from each track to move onto Round Two.

Round Two: (Live and In-person)
April 22 @ midnight: Student deadline to submit materials for Round Two of the State Finals.
April 24, 2024 @ RPI in Troy, NY
- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM: The top teams from each track will pitch live to judges. Pitches will be eight minutes and followed by six minutes of Q&A.
- 12 PM: Track winners announced live. The top team in each track will move on to the Grand Prize Finals.

Round Three: Grand Prize Finals (Live and In-person)
April 24, 2024 @ RPI in Troy, NY
Afternoon: The first place team from each track will pitch live for the NYBPC Grand Prize.

 STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

NYBPC Student Ambassadors are top entrepreneurial students at each college and university across New York State! Our ambassadors are influencers on campus who help get out the word about the NYBPC and share entrepreneurial resources with their peers.

If you think you could be our next NYBPC Student Ambassador at your campus, fill out the form below or reach out to thomas@upstatecapital.org for more information. Click here to view the Student Ambassador information sheet to learn more.

The deadline to apply for the 2025-2026 student ambassador program is Friday, December 12. The kick-off call for the program will be Friday, December 19 at 10AM.

Thank you to our 2025 Student Ambassadors