Thirty teams of students from eight colleges will compete in the regional semifinal round of the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition, April 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Kunsela Hall. Students from Colgate University, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Morrisville State College, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, SUNYIT and Utica College will pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of judges. Each team of would-be entrepreneurs will attempt to present the most compelling pitch to a panel of professional judges. The regional event’s theme this year is “Start Your Businesses Here.” In addition to the competition, presentations will emphasize the Mohawk Valley’s growing business and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Organized by the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), 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 program encourages student-led start-ups from accredited colleges throughout the state to submit ideas 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. Winners of regional semifinal events will go on to compete in the final round on April 25 at SUNY CNSE.