Adelphi University’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business will be holding its inaugural Business Plan Competition on Tuesday, April 24.
Six students will present their ambitious and innovative business plans to a panel of judges made up of alumni and faculty for a total of $10,000, with an additional $500 for best business pitch and $500 for best poster session.
The event will run from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center’s multi-purpose rooms 215 and 216, with students competing for seed money to fund business plans and get their ventures off the ground.
First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded in addition to one for best elevator pitch. Funds for the competition were provided by alumni and friends of the School, including members of the dean’s advisory board.
The students competing include:
Carly Lau and her partner, who are developing a retail fashion app that will provide a platform for a “fast” look by harnessing the essence of sensible style with high fashion, taking into consideration the weather forecast, the occasion, and personal styles of the consumers when selecting an outfit for the day.
Stephanie Kusterbeck, who will be presenting her idea Tryst Cigar Lounge situated in the Financial District of Manhattan, its goal to evoke memories of earlier decades where the working person had a place to visit, where relaxation and unwinding from the day is key.
Anmol Kumar and partner’s ChaiWala NYC, who envision to provide the best Indian chai and snacks in New York City with a café where people can enjoy a cup of chai and read their favorite novel from a selection of books in a library in the corner.
Ismael Voltaire, who’s TradeBookz provides an e-commerce business that centralizes around a free application that will make textbook sale and purchase easier and more affordable for college students.
Eric Boehning, who’s Long Beach Body Art proposes a temporary, waterproof, airbrush tattoo and body art company that provides entertainment for festivals, fairs, and private parties, with growth plans of expanding into fine art.
“The competition serves to increase entrepreneurial activity, attitude and aspiration among all Adelphi University students,” said Murat Sakir Erogul, assistant professor of entrepreneurship. “It is an important experiential learning opportunity for our competing students envisioned to help them increase their entrepreneurial mindset, prepare them for the real world of nascent entrepreneurial activities, and hopefully facilitate them towards really seeing entrepreneurship as a real career opportunity.”
Judges for the event will be Ivy Algazy from The Ivy Network LLC, Kathy Casale from Sea Star Strategy, Nicholas Ladevaio from L’Oreal, George Maragos, the former comptroller of Nassau County, and adjunct faculty member Thomas Shinick.
The event is sponsored by Adelphi and the New York City digital media company Digital Remedy, who will give $70,000 in working capital and related business-formation services to the three winning student businesses, with in-person audience members selecting a $500 “People’s Choice” champion.
