Academics, Success Story, Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Julianna Rauf ’19

Siena College sent six teams of student entrepreneurs to the 9th Annual New York State Regional Business Plan Competition on April 5 at SUNY Albany Massry Center for Business. The final competition is at SUNY Poly Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering on April 27th.

The NYBPC is the only leading collegiate business competition that is a regionally coordinated, collaborative statewide program representing over 75 colleges and universities, which sets it apart from all other competitions in the nation. Since 2010, more than 2,400 teams have pitched their ideas and ventures to venture capitalists, angel investors, investment bankers, other sophisticated public and private investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs.

The Siena teams that competed were:

Simon Bruno and Mikayla Lansing - Inky

Information Technology/Software Track: Book selection and subscription business based upon novel imaging technologies and predictive algorithms. 

Jake Costello and Courtney Baldwin - Grounded Marketing 

Services Track: Digital marketing method targeted to small restaurants.

Josh Daly (1st place in Spark Tank, Spring 2018) - Bug Flusher

Clean Technology Track: Insect trap as a protein gathering device for poultry and other animal feed.

Devon Hebert - Civie

Services Track: Investment platform designed to provide access to exclusive non-financial assets for the general investing public.

Yumi Kageyama - sNOw More

Advanced Technology Track: Snow and ice removal system for driveways and other asphalt surfaces.

Sureet Pabbi (2nd place in Spark Tank, Spring 2018) - Amar Atta 

Products Track: Gluten free flour for unleavened dough used primarily in Indian Cuisine.

“It’s been a thrill to see these students advance their business plans this past semester,” said Daniel Robeson, Ph.D., Interim Director of the Stack Center. “I’ve only been here since January, and it’s outstanding to see how talented and capable everyone is at targeting and refining their talks and pitches in one semester. It’s amazing to see how quickly students like Josh and Yumi advance in such a short amount of time.”

All teams who placed in 1st and 2nd place at semi-finals will advance to finals. Among these six teams, Siena is proud to send three on to the finals that will take place on April 27. Our Siena College final contestants are:

Simon Bruno and Mikayla Lansing - Inky - 1st Place in the Information Technology/Software Track.

Josh Daly - Bug Flusher - 1st Place in the Clean Technology Track.

Yumi Kageyama - sNOw More - 2nd Place in the Advanced Technology Track.

“Even the teams who didn’t advance did an amazing job and definitely placed toward the top of their tracks,” said Robeson. “We had a freshman competitor, Sureet Pabbi, and he competed in a tough products track, and his offering has great potential. I’m happy that he’s going to take on the role of President for the Entrepreneurship Club when the current president, Simon Bruno, graduates. The club and I would like to give much gratitude to Simon for all the work he’s done as the outgoing president.”

Winners of all Tracks competed in a final round for the "Capital Region Cup." Simon Bruno and Mikayla Lansing - Inky won the runoff to secure the Capital Region Cup for Siena College. The Cup will reside in the Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for several weeks until it is sent out to be engraved. Prize money for 1st Place was $1,000. 

“Simon and Mikayla have been working on their business plan for quite a while,” said Robeson. “It was no surprise that they ended up taking the Capital District Cup."

120 teams hailing from across New York State will vie for 18 cash prizes at the 9th Annual New York Business Plan Competition Finals at SUNY Poly in Albany on April 27, 2018

“I am thrilled to be able to work with all three of the teams and to connect them with people who are knowledgeable and will help them further advance before the final competition, said Robeson. “We would love to take the state title home this year.”