2023 Innovation Competition
By Tanay Thomas
On April 22nd, 2023, Blackstone Launchpad had its annual innovation
competition. The Grand Prize was $3,000, 1st round winner was $500, and $250 for
the underclassman founder award. The total amount in prizes was $10,000. For all 13
prizes, $8,500 was given out in cash, and $1500 for in-kind legal services.
This year was the first time the innovation was divided into four different
categories. The judges in each category had to pick one pitch that made it to the finals.
In the Community, Social Media Network, and Platform, Vincenzo Roosa made it to the
finals with his business, Recovery How 2’s. In the Sports category, Jacob Webb made it
to the finals. As well as our wild card Ethan Sabini, and Ray O’Keeffe with their
business named Prospect. For the Product category, Marcus Ryan made it to finals with
his clothing line called Slow & Steady Clothing. In Technology and Services, Ahmed
Khamis and his business GNREC made it to the finals.
The Best pitch by an Underrepresented founder was Awarded to Ahmed Khamis
for GNREC. He has also received an award for 3rd place overall. The best pitch by an
underclassman founder was Awarded to Jacob Web for his business Webpro. The Wild
Card Ethan Sabini, and Ray O’Keeffe were awarded 2nd place overall for their Business
Prospect.
The Grand prize winner was Jacob Web with his company Web-pro`. Jacob was
asked how did Blackstone Launchpad at University at Albany help him pitch his
business? Jacob replied “So it helped me think of things I wouldn't have thought of.
They helped me conceptualize my business for potential investors. While I was in the
pitch they really asked great questions and I also had to think of questions that they
might think of. That let me have a better understanding of other aspects of my business.” Jacob won $3,750 cash and $1,500 in-kind.
Congratulations to all participants and a special thanks to the judges for making their decisions