BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

BPC Competition Overview


The 23rd Annual tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition successfully concluded in May 2025, celebrating another year of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation across our region. In January 2025, interested teams began working with Subject Matter Experts during virtual Help Sessions held in January and February. Teams then submitted their competition deliverables in March, leading up to the highly anticipated In-Person Presentation Finals in April. The event culminated with the annual Awards Event held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 5 PM at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA.


Student teams from the region’s colleges and universities competed in the Collegiate Division, while early-stage entrepreneurs competed in the Non-Collegiate Division. Guests at the Awards Event had the opportunity to meet the finalists, learn about their venture concepts, and cast their “tecBUCKS” votes to select a crowd-sourced Wild Card Winner. Division Winners each received $10,000 in cash prizes and shared in over $100,000 worth of in-kind services to support their business launches. The Wild Card Winner, chosen exclusively by the audience, received a $5,000 cash prize and a share of in-kind services.


We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers. Your support continues to make the tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition a powerful showcase of entrepreneurial vision, passion, and community collaboration.

BPC 2025 Winners

Collegiate Division

BedRez

Founder - James Monahan

Penn State World Campus

Non-Collegiate Division

Fidbak

Founder - Julio Pertuz

Lackawanna County

Wild Card(Tie)

Hunting Positivity

Founders - Nate Herman and Hunter Wesolowski

NeuroView

Founder - Emma Beaston

Ben Franklin Technology Partners Award

Sylf

Founder – Keyser Leepier

Education Partner of the Year Award

Dr. Kelly Musti

Lackawanna College

McNally Mentor of the Year Award

Jocelyn Sterenchock

CAN DO, Inc.

Aspiration Sponsors


Engagement Sponsors


Pay It Forward Sponsors