Pictured (left to right): Sebastian Zilempe, Timothy Bemes, Lillian Kearby, Emely Taveras, Dr. Son Tran
Student entrepreneurs showed their innovative and competitive spirit at the 2025 New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), with two teams advancing from regionals to state-level competition and one team reaching the Live Pitch finals.
Team Melley, comprised of Emely Taveras and Lillian Kearby, secured second place in the Health & Wellbeing category at the Mohawk Valley Regional Semifinals, earning them advancement to the State Finals held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY in April. Melley is developing accessible, preventative women’s healthcare solutions designed to empower individuals and communities.
Competing against 350 student entrepreneurs, advisors, and professionals from 65 colleges and universities across all ten regions in the state, Melley was selected for the final Live Pitch round, a significant achievement for the team. Sara Technology from Columbia University, an AI-powered platform that expands access to pediatric speech therapy, ultimately won the competition and the $25,000 grand prize.
SUNY Cobleskill’s second qualifying team, Next Food Station (NFS), secured second place in the Food & AgTech track at the Mohawk Valley Regional Semifinals. Team members Sebastian Zilempe, Rayner Tena, and Time Bemes are working to revolutionize the food supply chain through innovative IoT technology applications.
Both teams are active participants in the College’s Steps for Success Entrepreneurship Program, which provides students with mentorship, resources, and opportunities to develop real businesses while pursuing their bachelor’s degree.
“We are incredibly proud of Melley, NFS, and all our entrepreneurial students who prove that with passion, preparation, and persistence, anything is possible,” said Dr. Son Tran, Assistant Professor and Steps for Success Program Director. “The future is bright, and for Melley, NFS, and SUNY Cobleskill, the entrepreneurial journey has only just begun.”
The NYBPC, powered by the Upstate Capital Association of New York, serves as the state’s premier platform for student entrepreneurship. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students across New York, providing them with the chance to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors while engaging with mentors and judges from the business community. The competition awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.
