Entrepreneurship Assistance Center

BLDC Business Plan Competition

Mayor Jared Kraham, members of the BLDC and staff from SUNY Broome and KSTI came together at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator on June 15 to announce the winner of the 2022 BLDC/EAP Business Plan Competition.

The competition which is the longest running in the Greater Binghamton area, seeks to cultivate local business development and promote the entrepreneurial spirit and raise awareness about the 60-hour EAP training, BLDC financing and other community resources for small business growth.

New to this year’s competition was the increase in prize money. This year they offered three prizes of $5,000 for first, $2,000 for second and $500 for third. This competition is for anyone that wants to start or grow their business in the City of Binghamton.

First place winner was Laura Whitmore of Strategic Test Prep who provides 1-on-1 IN-PERSON tutoring for students preparing for the SAT and ACT tests. Working with them for 3-6 months, the students are able to achieve score gains that position them as competitive candidates for colleges and universities – 94% have increased their test scores between 100 and 350 points. Her goal is to grow by hiring 1-on-1 tutors in math and science, these tutors will support students in their most challenging classes so they can maintain higher GPAs.

Second place winners were Downtown Danny’s owners Danny Carlin and Christina Andrews who are serving up quality hotdogs and sausages from their food cart that you will find on Exchange Street between Hawley and Court Streets in downtown Binghamton, NY. Find them for your lunch and experience their unique ability to quickly provide high-quality food that is convenient and inexpensive. Look for their brightly colored umbrella and you’ll find LUNCH and a lot of fun! Follow them on Instagram “downtowndannys”!

Third place went to the creators of a new user-friendly app called “UseFuze” which can be downloaded for FREE. This app allows those gig workers and independent craftsman from any discipline to better market themselves to clients and employers. The app acts as a digital business card that automatically updates with every new job that is completed by the user. The profile includes a list of skills and contact information, while on-the-go estimates, contracts and invoices can be created and exchanged in a matter of seconds. The owner can concentrate on their craft, the digital toolbox helps them create their story!

View the pressconnects.com article about “UseFuze”.

View the Binghamton WIVT/WBGH 2022 BLDC/EAP Business Plan Competition article & video.

If you want to learn more about the Fall 60-hour EAP training which will begin in September 2022, please contact the SUNY Broome Entrepreneurship Assistance Center at +1 (607) 777-4022 or email Darlene Kanuk at kanukda@sunybroome.edu.

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So What is an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center?

We Offer Support Services Especially for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

SUNY Broome is one of 24 Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers in the State of New York offering one-on-one small business assistance, essential business management educational sessions, and business networking opportunities, local community connections, business model and business start-up plan development programs – including the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center 60-Hour Program, and individual consulting and coaching by successful entrepreneurs and well-established business owners, experts and consultants.

We Help You Outline Your Steps and Plans for Business Success

More than 650 aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners have sought the assistance of the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center at SUNY Broome over the past 16 years. Each discovered the centers valuable support services to develop manageable, successful actions and simple written plans to start their businesses and grow the sales of their products and services and hire additional employees.

We Are Ready to Assist You

Contact us today, via email – kanukda@sunybroome.edu or phone +1 (607) 777-4022 to discuss your needs to start or grow your new, small business in Broome, Chenango, Delaware or Tioga County. Be sure to inquiry about upcoming sessions and programs to help you outline and implement key actions and focused plans to start a business in New York. Many of our support services are free!