Business Plan Competition
Aspiring students can vie for cash prizes in our shark-tank style competition.
All Adelphi students are eligible. Students can participate individually or in teams of 2-5 members.
Finalists will present their proposals to a panel of judges drawn from our faculty and industry leaders, competing to win $11,000 in cash prizes: $5,000 for first prize, $3,000 for second, $2,000 for third and a $1,000 award for best socially responsible approach.
Helping to Launch Your Business
- $11,000 in cash prizes: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, $1000 in prizes for best socially responsible approach
- Mentoring and coaching from business leaders and Adelphi faculty for all finalists
Competing student groups Campus Trade won first place ($5,000), Campbell Postmodern Counseling won second place ($3,000), Global Link won third place ($2,000), and Voice to Vision won for best socially responsible approach ($1,000) in the 7th annual Adelphi University Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Business Plan Competition.
How to Apply to the Competition
Get detailed instructions on what should be included in your preliminary business proposal. Attend an information session for more personalized guidance.
All contestants must submit a preliminary business proposal to lcary@adelphi.edu.
Proposals will be reviewed for innovation and viability. Select participants will move to the finalist round to prepare full-fledged plans.
Contestants present their full-fledged business plan to a panel of judges, showcasing their proposed product or service or solution.
- Location: Ruth S. Harley University Center, Room 113-115
- Time: To be announced
2024-2025 Finalists
- Tamana Bashardost: Planty
- Alessio Consoli: LeWitt New York
- Sparsh Choudhary: ImmersiPlay
- Caterina Federici, Pablo Ablanedo, Gonzalo Gil De Pereja: The Next Step
- Hoang Long (Justin) Le, Merville Sin, Dalia Do, Rosie Vo: StuRent
- Kyle Stephenson, Aaron Winnegar, Haim Aarbov: EcoPack Solutions
The Adelphi Business Plan competition has completely transformed my life and ignited my entrepreneurial passion. It provided a framework, mentorship, and the confidence to pursue my dreams—and even led to a biotech patent! Young entrepreneurs, I encourage you to utilize the resources around you to start your journey toward success.
Ismael Voltaire, MS ‘21
Adelphi Business Plan Competition Prize-Winner 2018 & 2019
Competition Judges and Mentors
Judges:
- Theodore Massillon, Founder, NOM Media
- Mark & John Cronin, Co-founders, John’s Crazy Socks
- Michael O’Donnell, Clinical Assistant Professor Decision Sciences & Marketing, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business
Mentors:
- Bill Gibbons, CFO Netwolf Cyber
- Peter Regina, CEO Netwolf Cyber
- Julija Trosic, Investor, Entrepreneur
- Timo Partanen, Assistant Professor, Management
Robert B. Willumstad School of Business
Judges:
- Marnie Ives, Owner, Kron Chocolatier
- Zachary Naglieri, Business Analytics Engineer, M13
- Theodore Massillon, Founder, NOM Media
- Michael O’Donnell, Clinical Assistant Professor, Decision Science and Marketing, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business
Mentors:
- Scott Meyers, Principal CFO, Sprchrgr
- Bill Gibbons, CFO Netwolf Cyber
- Peter Regina, CEO Netwolf Cyber
- Kris Amplo, Project Manager, J.C. Steel
- John and Mark X. Cronin, founders of John’s Crazy Socks and both EO members. Before the competition began, this father-son team talked to the students about the importance of a purpose-driven business.
- Stephen Cheng, JD, associate attorney with Meyer Suozzi
- Pawneet Abramowski, MBA ‘07, founder of PARC Solutions
- James Reed, founder of AffordablePatio.com and mentor of EO Long Island Accelerator
- Nick Sterlacci ‘19, co-founder of OneDeal
- Zachary Johnson, PhD, founder of ProfVal, an EO member and Willumstad School associate professor of decision sciences and marketing
Lori Cary, director for student success, and Murat Erogul, associate professor of management, were involved throughout the development process. Dr. Erogul provided mentorship, training, and advice to students.
- Matt Tesoriero, Founder of Guac Shop Mexican Grill
- Lisa Marie Meehan, Owner of The Anne Brower School
- Jennifer DeVito, CEO of Evolution Real Estate
- John & Mark X. Cronin, Owners of John’s Crazy Socks
- Steven Cheng, Corporate Associate at Meyer Suozzi
- Eric Alexander, Director & Founder Vision Long Island.
Zachary Johnson, founder of ProfVal and professor), Lori Cary, director for student success, and Murat Erogul, associate professor of management, were involved throughout the development process.
Important Dates
- Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – Information and Proposal Prep Session
- Friday, November 1, 2024 – Preliminary Business Proposal due date
- Monday, November 11, 2024 to Friday, November 15, 2024 – Announcement of finalists
- Thursday, February 27, 2025 – Full-fledged Business Plan due date
- Friday, March 7, 2025 – Competition day!
Past Competition Winners
First Place
Casey Recci, Matias Hoyos, Thiago Negrao and Hugo Munoz Reinoso: Campus Trade
Second Place
Alex Campbell: Campbell Postmodern Counseling
Third Place
Thomas Horsley, Marko Jovanovic and Viktor Hockl: GlobalLink Corp
Best Socially-Responsible Approach
Kristen Flores: Voice to Vision
First Place
Monish Churaman and Amita Radakichenane: SmileLab Printing Technologies
Second Place
Ashley Zingale: Money Moving Up
Third Place and Best Socially-Responsible Approach
Gloria Gantt: Better Health Connects
First Place & Environmental, Social and Governance
Kayla Strayhorn: BU Rooftop Farming
Second Place
Shuriz Hishmeh ’21: Black Soldier Fly Composting
Third Place
Ruiqin Fu: Boom I Rang
First Place & Best Elevator Pitch
Zameena Jivraj: Healthspace
Second Place
Eric Meirs & Yuleidy Baez: EcoDines
Third Place
Yuanmeng Wang & Nadia Khan: A Light in the Alley
First Place
Abie Rawad Akhand: Eden Your Garden of Services
Second Place
Elena Garcia: Maven Media
Third Place & Best Elevator Pitch
Samrat Malik: Auto Fire Hazard Control System
First Place
Chitralekha (Pooja) Kar ’18: Garden of Green
Second Place & Best Elevator Pitch
Sarah Ferraro and Sonia Melendez: BitBox Fashion
Third Place
Ismael Voltaire: Volt Fit Technologies
First Place
Ismael Voltaire: TradeBookz
Second Place
Stefani Kusterbeck: Tryst Cigar Lounge
Third Place
Eric Boehning: Long Beach Body Art
