UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) proudly hosted the Mohawk Valley Regional Competition of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) on Friday, bringing together the region’s most innovative student entrepreneurs. Thirty-seven student-led teams from SUNY Poly, Hartwick College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Pratt Munson, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Cobleskill, and Utica University competed for cash prizes and the opportunity to advance to the statewide finals on April 24 in Troy.

“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. Robert Edgell, SUNY Poly Professor of Technology Management 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 grand prize was awarded to Heads Up (pictured above), a team of SUNY Poly students—Jake Burrows, Randy Carnright, Omar Diop, Tanner Hill, Isaiah Markle, Connor Morris, and Dallas Robinson—for developing a safety device that detects falling limbs, enhancing workplace safety for loggers in the field.

The $1,000 second place prize went to The Coping Skills Toolbox, created by SUNY Poly student Whitney Vik. The venture offers thoughtfully designed products to help individuals with special needs and mental health disorders build resilience and self-regulation, while also equipping caregivers and educators with tools to promote emotional well-being.

Pratt Munson student Brett Faucett received the $500 Best of the Mohawk Valley Prize for KIPKEES, a venture encouraging artistic exploration and imaginative play. The product empowers users of all ages to express themselves creatively, emphasizing the importance of nurturing imagination as a fundamental skill.

Additional Track Winners Advancing to State Finals
In addition to the top three ventures, several track winners qualified to represent the Mohawk Valley at the state competition.

Food & AgTech
1st Place: FRESHFOUNDRY – Jerry Tylutki, Kate Donnelly, Marisol Verbeek, and Martin Mulvey (SUNY Poly)
2nd Place: NEW FOOD STATION – Rayner Tena and Sebastian Zilempe (SUNY Cobleskill)

Safety, Power & Mobility
1st Place: HEADS UP (SUNY Poly)
2nd Place: RESI-CON – Marc Mesick, Marilin Molina, and Jasper Calandra (SUNY Poly)

Health & Wellbeing
1st Place: THE COPING SKILLS TOOLBOX (SUNY Poly)
2nd Place: MELLEY – Emely Taveras and Lillian Kearbey (SUNY Cobleskill)

Learn, Work, & Live
1st Place: KIPKEES (Pratt Munson)
2nd Place: TRUE SKILLS INTERACTIVE – Christopher Abdou and Gurpreet Lahl (SUNY Poly)

Software & Services
1st Place: PASSAGETOTHEWORLD – Chelsea Kotey (Hartwick College)
2nd Place: MY HOME SOLUTIONS – Francesca Bonfardeci and Paul Barbato (SUNY Poly)

For more information about the New York Business Plan Competition, please visit https://nybpc.org.