Two teams competing in State Finals in Rochester on April 22

UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) recently hosted the Mohawk Valley Regional Competition of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), bringing together the region’s most innovative student entrepreneurs. Twenty-one student-led teams from SUNY Poly, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Cobleskill, and Utica University competed for cash prizes and the opportunity to advance one step closer to the statewide finals on April 22 in Rochester.

“This year’s competition showcased the incredible creativity, drive, and commitment to real-world problem-solving that our students bring to the table,” said Dr. Jim Staihar, Executive Director of the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence and regional chair for the Mohawk Valley competition. “It was an inspiring event that reflects the strength of entrepreneurship across our campuses and communities.”

The $2,000 First Place Grand Prize was awarded to Mechanized, led by Jayson F. Spooner (SUNY Poly), for its outstanding innovation and strong potential for real-world impact.

The $1,000 Second Place Grand Prize went to Campus XP, a SUNY Poly student team recognized for its innovative approach and scalable solution.

The $500 Best of the Mohawk Valley Prize (3rd Place) was awarded to Tailored Match, a venture that demonstrated strong potential in addressing real-world challenges within the Learn, Work, & Live space.

Additional Track Winners 
Alongside the top three ventures, several track winners earned the right to represent the Mohawk Valley at the state competition:

Food & AgTech
1st Place: Skyview Grain - Ashton Thomas (SUNY Cobleskill)

Product & Hardware
1st Place: Mechanized - Jayson F Spooner (SUNY Poly)
2nd Place: Corrosion Guard - Billy Sam, Caden Morris, Dallas Robinson, Jake Burrows, Samuel Collis
(SUNY Poly)

Learn, Work, & Live
1st Place: Campus XP - James Jackson, Erika Lein, Jaden Mayers, Menloodjy Senejuste (SUNY Poly)
2nd Place: Tailored Match - Delaney Beardsley (SUNY Poly), Lauren Jones (Utica University)

Software & Services
1st Place: Trade Off - Ava Block, Ciara Owens, Julie Daskiewich, Michael Waters, Tyler Macera (SUNY Poly)

Two Teams Headed to State Finals
Following the regional event, all MV Regional winners advanced to a virtual pitch round, where teams competed for a chance to move on to the NYBPC State Finals at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship in Rochester on April 22. Two of the teams—Mechanized and Tailored Match—were selected from this round to advance to the state competition.

Visit the New York Business Plan Competition website for more information.