In the Business Plan Contest, students work in teams to research, develop and present quality business plans that are feasible, profitable and novel. Those who participated in the Contest felt it was a great opportunity to be involved in a real business project and gain experience that cannot be learned in the classroom. Students said they learned important skills they will need in their careers, such as teamwork, communication, leadership and networking skills.
The Business Plan Contest is a course (BUS457 for undergraduates and BUS587 for MBA students) in the Spring. The presentations before a panel and judges for a chance to win a scholarship and Award Ceremony will be held in early May. Please contact Danielle Tomczyk, by phone at (845) 257-2932 or by email tomczykd@newpaltz.edu for more information.
Upcoming Dates
For Businesses
Highlights of last year's Contest
Kick Off Event- Monday, Oct 3 from 4:30-5:30pm in VH 110
This is a great opportunity to learn about the Contest and meet other students who are interested in participating.
Finalize Team & Idea- Monday, Nov 14
The team should be formed and brief description of the business plan idea (1 page) must be submitted to Danielle Tomczyk by Monday, Nov 14. Please include the names and emails of the team members and business mentor.
Orientation- Monday, Nov 14 - Friday, Dec 9
All team members must meet with Danielle Tomczyk for a brief overview of the Contest rules, reimbursement process, judging, etc. Please schedule a 15 minute appointment with her.
Final Reports Due- Wednesday, April 25 at 12pm.
Presentation & Award Ceremony- Wednesday, May 9. Time and location will be announced.
For Businesses
There are opportunities for businesses to participate in the Contest by:
• Being a sponsor: Your support will help build a scholarship fund for student participants and cover the teams’ operating costs.
• Mentoring a team: Teams are paired with mentors in fields related to the business ideas. Mentors are valuable resources who provide guidance, encouragement and feedback, and share their expertise and knowledge with the teams.
• Providing ideas: Our students have demonstrated that they can develop creative and practical plans. They can take your ideas for a new business and turn them into solid business plans.
Please contact Danielle Tomczyk at (845) 257-2932 or tomczykd@newpaltz.edu for more information or if you wish to serve as a mentor to a team.
Highlights of 2011 Contest
The School of Business at the State University of New York at New Paltz and Campus Auxiliary Services, Inc. held its Business Plan Contest Presentation and Award Ceremony on May 4.
The nine teams of students presented their business plans before a panel of judges consisting of local business leaders. The winning team researched and developed a plan for a business that will provide bottling and packaging services to craft (micro) spirit distillers in Hudson Valley and surrounding areas. The runner up team created a plan for a business that will offer a subscription and a la carte physician consultation service over the telephone, via video chat and mobile devices. Both teams were awarded scholarships.
ShelfReady Solutions- A business that will provide bottling and packaging services to craft (micro) spirit distillers in Hudson Valley and surrounding areas.
Students: Manon Duroyon, Alexandre Jacob, Nicholas Stoughton and Eva Totaro
Mentor: Christina Bark, Christina Bark & Associates
Rapid Response- A business that will offer a subscription and a la carte physician consultation service over the telephone, via video chat and mobile devices.
Students: Derya Eren, Charles Kluender, Ewa Sama and Alicia Walaszek
Mentor: Dr. Michael Sama
Health Quicc Beacon- An urgent care center, which will be a Health Quest affiliate, in Beacon to provide non-life threatening services.
Students: Julien Gourlaouen, Brett Harrison, Michelle Lefebvre and Justine Rault
Mentors: David Ping, Michael Sweeney and Trista Parker all from Health Quest
Freshens Chill Zone- An establishment located in the Athletic & Wellness Center on campus that combines a smoothie bar and healthy deli/carry out options.
Students: Ryan Huberty, Pedro Marques, Sean Reminick and Tyler Terlecky
Vi-Solis- An electric vehicle charger station provider that will allow electric car drivers to charge their idle vehicles effortlessly, while saving our environment.
Students: Paul Fernandes, Armelle Kessler, Clint McCoach and Dimitri Moreau
Green Leaf- An organic restaurant and market located on the Newburgh Waterfront that uses hydroponic technology.
Students: James Finnegan, Maria Izquierdo, Roger Lewis and Lindsay Richter
Fashion’s SUNY Day- A nonprofit organization which will organize a fashion shows on campus using New Paltz students as models and donate its profits to the American Red Cross.
Students: Valentin Gaucher, Rodrigo Barbosa and Thibaut Ritter
BIO-PACH- A business in Tanzania that will produce bio-diesel and bio-gasoline through the waste material, such as waste wood, plastic and tires.
Students: Jemmie Correia Guerreiro, Hong Jin, Helene Piteux and Aia Seiam
Mentor: Lisa O’Reilly
Hawk Tour Services- An inbound tour operator service that will serve the New York metropolitan areas and offer guided seasonal tours in New Paltz and the surrounding areas.
Students: TJ Aguis, Mustafa Ali, Amanda Barney, Ahmed Elsayed and Benazir Sanwarwalla
Mentor: Joan Lawrence-Bauer, Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation
Special Thanks to our Judges
Melinda Beuf, Ulster County Development Corporation
Steve Deutsch, Campus Auxiliary Services, Inc.
Tiffany Frieary, Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell
Everton Henriques, E.H. Hall, Inc.
Tyrone Muse, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Arnaldo Sehwerert, Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center
Bill Spearman, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Shelley Turk, Tee Bar Corp/Mega FunWorks Inc.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
We would like to extend a special thanks to the following companies for their contributions towards this program:
Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), Inc.
Sodexho Food Services
M&T Charitable Foundation
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
TD Bank
Ulster Savings Bank
Ulster County Development Corporation
Everton H. Henriques '78, '83g & Jeannie Irvine '78
Millrock Technology, Inc.
Budget Payment Corporation
Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center
