Syracuse Student Start-Ups Shine at NYBPC: Tá Beautie and Shooka Sauce Take Home Prizes
The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), powered by Upstate Capital, attracted some of New York state’s best student entrepreneurs to Albany on April 25. Two Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad student start-up teams made it to the finals: Tá Beautie and Shooka Sauce.
Natasha Brao won the 3rd 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 the competition: Frank Marin ’24 with Marhold Space Systems, Adya Parida ’25 with Scale Sense, and Dylan Bardsley ’26 and Mark Leaf ’27 with Clarity. The NYBPC is known for providing these students with the opportunity to pitch their business plans to seasoned investors and engage with mentors and judges from the business community.
The finals event not only connected students with business professionals but also provided experiential learning opportunities through competitions at the Entrepreneurship Expo. Up to $100,000 in cash prizes were awarded to help seed new ventures emerging from the competition.
Overall, this competition highlights Syracuse University’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among its students.
