Three teams of Start-up Students of Blackstone Launchpad (Launchpad) of Syracuse University Libraries won prizes in the final of the final of the final New York Business Plan competition (NYBPC)Powered by the Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 24.

The participants in the New York Business Plan competition, Row from left to right, were Anja Padwal, Tosin Alabi, Jonathan “J” Wess, Jack Venerus, Lindy Truitt and student from the University of Buffalo. First row, Carolyn Fernandes and Tony Goncalves.
Carolyn Fernandes G’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), founder of Solace, won $ 2,000 as a winner of the second prize in the product and equipment category. Confidence designs products in clothing for neurodivergente people.
Lindy Elizabeth Truitt ’25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Anjaneya Sanjay Padwal G’25 (School of Information Studies), founders of Sipsafe +, also won a prize of $ 2,000 second in the food track and Agtech. Sipsafe + uses a ring or a tug that shines when drinks have been enriched with drugs.
Jack Venerus ’27 (School of Information Studies), founder of Wingstat, won a $ 500 concept award. Wingstat helps plane brokers to have reliable data on the plane they buy or sell.
The teams of the University of Syracuse have received the greatest number of prizes from any unique school of the competition on a state scale. The NYBPC attracts some of the best students in New York State. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for students from the whole state who present their business plans for experienced investors. They also have the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges of the business community. The finals event connects students to professionals, offers experiential learning opportunities through competitions, connects entrepreneurs to resources to entrepreneurship Expo and grants up to $ 100,000 in cash prices to help sow new businesses.