Editor’s note: Katerina Lewis Archer is a Student Ambassador for NYBPC volunteering to promote the competition among CUNY SPS students.
The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) is a premier intercollegiate entrepreneurship competition designed to foster innovation and business acumen among college students across New York State. Since its inception in 2010, NYBPC has served as a launchpad for student entrepreneurs, providing mentorship, resources, and exposure to investors.
Competition Structure and Eligibility
The competition is open to all graduate, undergraduate, and community college students enrolled at accredited New York institutions. Exchange students and students graduating in the fall semester are also eligible to participate in the spring.
The competition takes place in 10 geographic zones across New York, with New York City students competing in the New York City regional competition. The top two teams from each industry track in the regional round advance to the statewide finals.
Key Dates Announced for the 2025 NYBPC
The 2025 NYBPC is now underway, with applications open since December 1, 2024. Aspiring student entrepreneurs have until March 1, 2025 to submit their proposals for a chance to compete at the regional and state levels.
The NYC Regional Competition is set to take place on March 27, 2025 at Touro Graduate School of Business. Participants must submit their business plans by March 20 to be considered for this round.
Winners from the regional competitions will advance to the state finals. The first round, conducted asynchronously online, requires students to submit a pitch video, a slide deck, and brief written remarks to be shared with the judges by April 8. Judges will evaluate the submissions from April 10 to April 17, after which the top teams will be selected to move forward.
On April 24, the competition will transition to an in-person format at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY. The top teams will deliver live pitches in the second round between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., with track winners announced at noon. Later that afternoon, the competition will culminate in the Grand Prize Finals, where first-place teams from each track will compete for the ultimate NYBPC title and a check for $25,000.
How to Prepare
To help students craft strong business plans and pitches, NYBPC provides useful resources, including:
- 2025 NYBPC Rulebook
- What to expect when filling out NYBPC Student Application
- Judging Rubric
- Presentation Suggestions & Slide Deck Template
- Executive Summary Template
Examples of winning Presentations include RHM Innovations and Photonect.
For more information, visit the FAQ section of the NYBPC website.
Getting Involved
Students can follow NYBPC on LinkedIn or visit the official website to sign up for the newsletter and to stay updated on deadlines, competition details, and success stories from past participants.
If you are a CUNY SPS student with an innovative idea, don’t miss this opportunity to compete, learn, and grow. Apply today!
