Six SUNYIT students met with success at the semifinal round of the fourth annual New York State Business Plan Competition April 4 on the SUNYIT campus. 30 student teams from nine colleges throughout the region pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of judges; each team of would-be entrepreneurs attempted to present the most compelling pitch—and the best business plan.

Several teams were selected by the judges to advance to the final round of competition April 25 at the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) in Albany. Successful competitors from SUNYIT who will go on to the finals are: Jeffrey Reed of Broadalbin and Christopher Pabis of Amsterdam for The Core Group, a company that looks to modernize outdated concepts through engineering and advance technology. Their initial application is the “AquaAid,” a hands-free device to replace the measuring cup that attaches to your faucet and filters, gauges temperature and measures water. Also headed to Albany are Kathaleene Riolo of Marcy, Dario Cvijanovic of Utica, James Huchital of Warwick, and Ray Mashewske of Penn Yan for “MABEL,” a medication alarm system that combines timed and monitored medication release with real-time medical notifications to a caregiver and/or a monitoring company.

Organized by the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), the University at Albany’s School of Business, and Syracuse University, and sponsored by the State University of New York (SUNY) and State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU), the annual competition encourages student-led start-ups from accredited colleges throughout the state to submit business plans for a variety of business and industry innovations. Student team efforts are judged by national venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, and entrepreneurs; $500,000 in prizes is awarded to winning teams.