Two Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad student start-up teams have made it to the finals of the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), which was held in Albany on April 25. The competition, powered by Upstate Capital, attracted some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs and provided them with the opportunity to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors and engage with mentors and judges from the business community.
Motolani Oladitan ’24, the founder of Tá Beautie, and Natasha Brao ’22 G’23 G’24, the founder of Shooka Sauce, were two of the teams that made it to the finals. Natasha Brao won the third place prize of $1,000 in the food and agriculture track with Shooka Sauce, a Mediterranean-spiced tomato sauce inspired by cultural flavors. Meanwhile, Motolani Oladitan won the Concept Stage Award of $500 in the software and services track with Tá Beautie, a virtual marketplace connecting African beauty and wellness brands with the diaspora.
Three other LaunchPad student start-up teams also participated in
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