Do you have a winning idea? Prove it at the New York Business Plan Competition!
Over $100,000 in prize monies available!
Overview
The College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) at the University at Albany, UAlbany’s School of Business, the Lally School of Management and Technology at Rensselaer, and Union Graduate College School of Management will host a state-wide business plan competition focusing on renewable energy and sustainable innovations. Supporting organizations including Stony Brook University, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, University of Buffalo, Syracuse University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the University of Rochester.
The event will be held April 28, 2011, at the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering’s facilities in Albany, NY. For the first time, the competition is open to colleges across New York State. For a printable overview of the competition, please click on the “competition flyer” link directly below.
Download the competition flyer (PDF 633 KB)
The New York Business Plan Competition is proud to announce that the State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU) is the Title Sponsor of the 2011 competition. We would like to thank SEFCU for their support of this very important event!
Details of the Competition
Current students from accredited colleges may submit business plans around a student-born innovation that is designed for a currently unmet need. The top applications will be selected by a panel of outside judges to present in the final round.
Teams must have at least two members, with a maximum of six members (excluding the advisor). Students from different academic areas are encouraged to work together to create the strongest team possible. One faculty member is required to be listed as an advisor for the team; offering guidance, support, and technical expertise.
The competition encourages students to fully engage in their research and allows them to gain valuable experience through presenting their business plan to industry executives and investors.
This year, the competition is pleased to announce their expansion from a single topical area to multiple tracks in which students can compete. The topical areas of submission include:
Healthcare
Information Technology
Nanotechnology
Renewable Energy/Sustainability
Services
Social/Non-Profit
Other
Prizes
The newly expanded New York Business Plan Competition is bigger than ever! With cash prizes of over $100,000, and in-kind services from organizations around the state, this year’s top winners will receive more than enough assistance to turn their ideas into full-fledged businesses. Application information is below; best of luck to all the participants!
How to Apply
To apply, complete the preliminary application form below.
Download the application form (PDF 155 KB)
If you are selected to continue on to finals, you will need to create a powerpoint using the template below. Please note that the powerpoint is limited to 10 slides and presentations featuring more than 10 slides will not be considered.
Download the presentation template (PDF 44.6 KB)
Applications are due March 25, 2011 by 5pm. All completed applications can be sent to Ms. Michele Kilburn at mkilburn@uamail.albany.edu.
Past Winners
– First place – UAlbany CNSE’s BESS Technologies
– Second place – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s (RPI) Sustain-a-PET
– Third place – Clarkson University Engineering and Management’s Controlled Environment High Rise Farm
To see coverage from the 2010 event, please click here. Congratulations to our past winners and best of luck to those applying for the 2011 challenge!
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are available in limited quantities to maximize the impact of the sponsors’ message. Please click the link below to learn about the sponsorship opportunities available. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Terri Scalise Roller at tscalise@uamail.albany.edu for more information.