Utica, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) today announced seven student teams have been named regional finalists following the conclusion of the Mohawk Valley regional semifinal of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), hosted by SUNY Poly. Four SUNY Poly student-led ventures are among the finalists advancing in the statewide New York Business Plan Competition, as well as two ventures featuring SUNY Cobleskill students and one venture featuring Hamilton College students that pitched plans related to the tracks listed below.

Ventures comprised of SUNY Poly, Hamilton College and SUNY Cobleskill students that will compete in the next round include, by category:

• Safety, Power & Mobility - Defense, Energy First Responder, Infrastructure, Mobility & Transportation:

1. Eutrobac LLC: Jesse Wexler & Ellie Sangree (Hamilton College)

• Food & Agtech - Agricultural Technology, Food Product, Food Service:

1. Haliman’s: Amar Halimanovic (SUNY Poly)

2. Feed Your Soul: Isabella Alotta (SUNY Cobleskill)

• Learn, Work & Live - Education, Entertainment, Gaming, Media, Art:

1. Hutnumber22: Inzamam UL Haq Shaik & Sai Manideep Reddy Lakkireddy (SUNY Poly)

2. Tassel: Lucas Nowlan & Joshua Bump (SUNY Poly)

• Products & Hardware - Pitches that do not fit into other tracks:

1. FixStix: Jacob Lujbli (SUNY Cobleskill)

• Software & Services - Pitches that do not fit into other tracks:

1. Truthentic Solutions: Natalie Bonilla, Long Phan, Queyn Carbera & Jake Leland (SUNY Poly)

The overall winning teams received cash prizes:

• First Place Grand Prize $2,000:  Eutrobac LLC
• Second Place Grand Prize $1,000: Haliman’s
• Best of the Mohawk Valley $500 (company that embodies regional characteristics): Hutnumber22

The Mohawk Valley semifinal competition drew interest from 26 students who competed as part of 10 teams. They pitched their game-changing business proposals for a chance to reach the final round of the NYBPC and win cash prizes. Regional competitions took place in several areas across New York State, based on its 10 Economic Development Regions.

Winners from each of the 10 regions will have the opportunity to submit their materials for a chance to earn a spot in the state finals, which takes place on April 25 in the Capital Region, and offers a grand prize of $25,000. Upstate Capital Association of New York State is the NYBPC’s leading organization, and the initiative is supported by funding through Empire State Development and The Research Foundation for SUNY, among others.

For more information about the 2024 New York Business Plan Competition, please visit: https://nybpc.org/students2024.

SUNY Poly is also grateful to a number of generous sponsors for making this year's in-person event possible, including Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's, and Zeina's Cafe.