Kelly O'Donnell

Siena College wins the Capital Cup!

Meghan Brewer ’22 and her Pawket Vet app lets pet owners check in virtually with a vet to see if an in-office visit is needed, or if the necessary treatment can be obtained over the counter, or with time and TLC. She won the Capital District regional semifinals of the New York Business Plan Competition on March 25 at the University at Albany.

Brewer, who received a $1,500 check for her Capital Cup victory, was previously a Siena Spark Tank winner in fall 2020. 

Her family’s pets were the inspiration for her invention.

“I’m really passionate about animals and wanted to create a product that reflects that passion,” she said. “Pawket Vet is a service that lets people do a quick check-in from home so they can get a simple answer from a real vet about their pet’s care, without necessarily having to go into the office for an appointment.” 

The 2022 NYBPC features regional competitions in 10 different zones throughout New York state. There are six different product tracks at regionals, and the winners of those six tracks at the Capital District event compete for the Capital Cup. 

The NYSPC concludes with the Grand Prize Finals in Syracuse on April 27. Brewer and three other Siena entrepreneur teams are submitting their videos today for the first round:

LawnAdmin - Mark Bodner

SoundU - Veronica Forth, Hassan Omar, Jimmy Smith

Drinksity - Justin Kenyon

In other entrepreneur news, the spring 2022 Spark Tank competition was held on campus March 31. Spark Tank is sponsored each semester by Siena’s Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The idea contest is judged by local entrepreneurs, who award cash prizes and valuable advice for Siena students who present their product and business ideas. 

Track 1: 

1st Place ($500): Meraki

Nicole Bailey, Stephanie Fortune and Aiden Hipwell

An algorithm-based app with niche-based preferences that can alleviate event planning stress. 

2nd Place ($250): Matters Investing

Elizabeth DiPaola, George Langdon

3rd Place ($100): Snuggly Sleeve

Kayla Bailey, Emma Mauro, Kayley Oleszczuk, Luca Santabarbara

Track 2:

1st Place ($500): RUNN 

Madison Kappel, Connor Kasuba, Matthew O’Keefe, Steven Simboli

RUNN is a ride sharing logistics company using crowd-sourced drivers who work as independent contractors (similar to a rideshare service), to connect with retailers of all sizes and buyers to coordinate convenient and easy same-day delivery of all manner of items.

2nd Place ($250): Hopkins Academy

Emma Bidell, Cailyn Harrington, Nicholas Hopkins, Deanna Winston 

3rd Place ($100): Miracle Mirror

Adison Aragona, Hadiatou Diallo, Claire Loder, Abigail Mignano