Two Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad student start-up teams were among the finalists of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), which was held in Albany on April 25. The competition, powered by Upstate Capital, attracted some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs and provided them with a platform to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors and engage with mentors and judges from the business community.
Motolani Oladitan ’24, founder of Tá Beautie, and Natasha Brao ’22 G’23 G’24, founder of Shooka Sauce, were the two teams that made it to the finals. Shooka Sauce won third place in the food and agriculture track with a prize of $1,000. Meanwhile, Tá Beautie won the Concept Stage Award in the software and services track with a prize of $500.
In addition to these two teams, three other LaunchPad student start-up teams also participated in the competition. Frank Marin ’24 with Marhold Space Systems, Adya Parida ’25 with Scale Sense, and Dylan Bardsley ’26 and Mark Leaf ’27 with Clarity also reached the finals. The NYBPC is known for its experiential learning opportunities through competitions and connecting entrepreneurs with resources at the Entrepreneurship Expo. Up to $100,000 in cash prizes are awarded to help seed new ventures emerging from the competition.
The event brought together students from different backgrounds who shared a common goal – to create successful businesses that could change people’s lives for better. It was an opportunity for them to showcase their ideas in front of experienced professionals who could offer valuable insights and advice on how to take their businesses to the next level.
For Motolani Oladitan and Natasha Brao, participating in this competition was a dream come true. They had been working hard for months to develop their products and perfect their pitch decks. To be recognized among some of New York state’s top student entrepreneurs was an honor they couldn’t have imagined.
As they stood before a panel of judges at the finals event, they could feel their nerves tingling but also excitement building inside them. They knew that this was just one step towards realizing their dreams of creating successful businesses that would make a positive impact on people’s lives.
For Frank Marin, Adya Parida, Dylan Bardsley, and Mark Leaf too, reaching the finals was a significant achievement that marked years of hard work and dedication towards their respective startups.
Overall, this competition not only served as a stepping stone for these young entrepreneurs but also inspired many others who attended or watched it online.
It is important for colleges like Syracuse University Libraries to continue providing support for student entrepreneurs through programs like Blackstone LaunchPad as it helps nurture talent within our universities while promoting entrepreneurship as an important tool for economic growth in society at large.