RCC Student Wins Shark Tank-Type Business Plan Competition

From Rockland Community College

On April 16, the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist College hosted its 9th annual Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition.

Sponsored by Marist College and TD Bank, the “Shark Tank” style competition judged 38 potential business plans presented by 120 students across the region. Participating schools included Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and Westchester Community Colleges; SUNY New Paltz; Iona and Marist Colleges; the United States Military Academy at West Point and others.

Emily Berry, a student at the RCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center, won the competition with her proposal for a Commercial Kitchen Facility. As winner of the Agriculture, Technology and Food Track, Berry will go on to compete in Albany at the New York State Business Plan Competition in May, where she will go up against contestants from more than 60 schools across the state.

“I was thrilled that my Commercial Kitchen Facility project won and excited at the prospect of moving on to the state competition.” Berry says. “I was inspired by my experiences in the teaching kitchen we have at the RCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center in Nyack and would like to one day replicate something like it as my own business.”

Other RCC contestants included Sarah Rajput with her RajputArt project; Rachel Paredes with Rachel's Dog Ventures and Kenrick Dubidad who submitted a plan for K&D Safety Industries.
Professors Bryan Berndt and Sukbin Song devoted hands-on advisement for all the teams;
professors Chris Spezial, Natasha Lubarsky, and Yulia Ben-Zvy were also instrumental in helping students develop their projects.

For more information on the contest, visit https://www.capitalfoundation.org/nybpc.

About the Marist and TD Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition

The Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition provides a platform where students can express their ideas and learn how to become entrepreneurs. Regional competitions are hosted by colleges in 10 regions: Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island.
Participating colleges in the Mid-Hudson region encourage members of the business and local community to volunteer to mentor, judge, coach teams and generally support the students every step of the way. However, promoting the contest with college advisors and faculty is key in making the connection to the student.