Blackstone LaunchPad Student Start-Ups Place in the Finals of the 2024 New York Business Plan Competition

Two Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) student start-up teams placed in the finals of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), powered by Upstate Capital, held in Albany on April 25.

Natasha Brao ’22, (College of Visual and Performing Arts) G’23, G’24 (Whitman School of Management), founder of Shooka Sauce, won the 3^rd place prize of $1,000 in the food and agriculture track. Shooka Sauce is a Mediterranean-spiced tomato sauce based on the dish Shakshuka, inspired by mixing and melding cultural flavors to promote creative cooking.

Motolani Oladitan ’24 (College of Arts and Sciences), founder of Tá Beautie, was awarded the Concept Stage Award of $500 in the software and services track. Tá Beautie is a virtual marketplace connecting African beauty and wellness brands with the diaspora, making it easier for consumers to discover and purchase high-quality, authentic African products.

Five Launchpad student start-up teams attended the 2024 New York Business Plan Competition. Other student teams to reach the finals include Frank Marin ’24 (Marhold Space Systems), Adya Parida ’25 (Scale Sense), and Dylan Bardsley ’26 and Mark Leaf ’27 (Clarity).

The NYBPC attracts some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. They also receive the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges from the business community. The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, connects entrepreneurs with resources at the Entrepreneurship Expo and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.