WNY Student 2 Biz Challenge
April 5, 2019
The WNY Student 2 Biz Challenge is a collaborative effort between the 21 colleges and universities of the Consortium and promotes entrepreneurship between student teams along six categories:
- AgTech & Food
- Energy & Environment
- Military & First Responder
- MedTech & Well-being
- Technology & Entertainment
- Consumer Products & Services
For full descriptions of each category, click on Rule Book and go to page 5.
Currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate students from Western New York colleges and universities are encouraged to submit business plans around a student-born innovation that is designed for a currently unmet need. Teams are invited each year to pitch their venture to an external panel of investor judges at the New York Business Plan Competition. Teams should consist of one to a maximum of six members, excluding the adviser. Students from different academic areas are encouraged to work together to create the strongest team possible. One faculty member is required to be listed as an adviser for the team; offering guidance, support, and technical expertise.
The Student 2 Biz Challenge is championed by The WNY Consortium of Higher Education. The NYS Business Plan Competition is a week later. Winners will be instructed what they will need to do to register for that competition.
In the summer of 2019, a number of WNY winners will be offered a opportunity to incubate their businesses for up to a year on their home campuses. Each incubated team will be connected with college faculty, institutional resources, and a team of five external mentors to support the development of their business. The goal is to help launch student businesses grounded in innovation, research, and strong mentorship while providing an economic boost to the the WNY economy.
2019 Presenting Sponsor
Student Information for April 5, 2019 Regional Competition
Day of the Event Information
- Participant Packet for Day of Event (Includes Agenda)
- Directions to Hilbert and the William E Swan Auditorium
- Parking will be readily available behind Swan Auditorium.
Competition Information
- Click: Online Application to register for the regional competition. EXTENDED DEADLINE: Application Submission Deadline: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 by midnight.
- Judge's Packet for Day of Event (Includes Agenda)
- Judges' Criteria for Competition (See page 8 in the rule book)
- Judge's Rubric/Scoring Sheet
- Competition Rule Book
- Helpful Resources, UB Henry A. Penasci Technology Entrepreneurship Competition
- Sample Format and Contents for the New York State Business Plan Competition
- Sample Business Plan Proposal: Softgrip Robotics
National Information for Student Entrepreneurs
- Launch NY has a wide range of tools for Start Ups, Investors, Seeking Investment Opportunities, and Resources for Entrepreneurs.
- Enactus Site: Enactus is a community of student, academic and business leaders
committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to enable human
progress. We establish student programs on campuses across the nation.
Enactus students apply business concepts to develop community outreach projects, transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.
- Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization
Regional Resources
- Sample PowerPoint: Pawraiser
- Videos of the University at Buffalo Elevator Pitch Competition 2013 and 2014
- Entrepreneurial Programs on the 21 WNY College and University Campuses
- Buffalo Startup Weekend! A great way to test your ideas and learn from the best of the best.
- For more information you can email Steven J. Harvey, Ph.D., Executive Director of the WNY Consortium of Higher Education
- Questions to Consider When Formulating Your Idea
Student Information for NYS Competition
Campus Champions
- Contact List of Campus Contacts for the WNY Student 2 Biz Challenge
- Roles of Campus Champions and Faculty Advisers
