Strategic and Global Management Students at SUNY Potsdam Take Home Prize in College Competition
The members of the winning team (nicknamed the “Hopeful Flying Penguins”) for the SUNY Potsdam Business Plan Competition posed for a photo along with their trophy and product prototype. The student group included (clockwise, from top left): Junior Oduro, Drew Rose, David Scovil, Teddy Morey, Ben Lagoner and Tawaiian Holmes.
SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration recently hosted its 61st Business Plan Competition, which challenges students to develop an entrepreneurial business plan fulfilling the need of a specific group of consumers.
Four teams in the capstone Strategic and Global Management class spent the fall semester developing a business plan and original product pitch, starting from scratch. The competition was introduced in 1993 by Professor Dr. Edwin J. Portugal to give business administration students the opportunity to work intensively and collaboratively in teams to create a real-life business plan. The teams present their final strategic business plans in front of external judges, who take the role of venture capitalists.
This semester’s winning team included:
- Tawaiian Holmes ’25 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
- Ben Lagoner ’25 of Webster, N.Y.
- Teddy Morey ’25 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
- Junior Oduro ’25 of Watertown, N.Y.
- Drew Rose ’25 of Brasher Falls, N.Y.
- David Scovil II ’26 of Norwood, N.Y.
The 24 students in the class were randomly assigned to teams at the start of the semester, with members bringing different sets of skills to the table.
“The original intent was for students to directly experience the stimulation of working in teams, the exhilaration of innovative thinking, the excitement of public speaking, and the challenges of coordinating team members’ unique talents,” Portugal said.
In creating the business plans, students learn to set goals, come up with a realistic schedule, develop a team contract of expectations, own up to their responsibilities and be accountable to the team.
“I think that the competition was great, and one of the biggest takeaways was the knowledge of how to make a successful business plan that every student could benefit from in some way,” said Ben Lagoner, who was the manager of the winning team. “The team aspect was the best part of the semester that created a competitive yet fun environment to learn what our future careers could hold.”
The six students on his team developed the “Ice Steppaz,” which is a reimagined winter shoe for a specific demographic. The team noted that the archaic and bland design of the original winter shoe strictly designed for cold and snowy weather could be replaced by their test model, footwear specially designed for casual everyday winter use, indoors and outdoors. The team spent the entire semester developing the new product prototype from scratch.
“With the amount of time invested in this competition, from day one to the very end, I can confidently say that the hard work paid off,” said Junior Oduro, who was the team co-manager. “We consistently motivated each other to stay focused and be on task. We pushed through the challenges together, and on competition day, we not only delivered, but excelled. Our commitment to our studies was evident every step of the way, and the success we achieved reflects the effort we all put in.”
Fellow business administration student David Scovil had taken a previous course with Dr. Portugal, so he was ready for the rigor and the intensity of the competition.
“In all honesty, the whole project was smooth. I loved working with my group, who were all very open in communication and worked diligently through the semester. We wanted it, so we made it happen,” he said.
The groups have to be organized like real business teams with every member having a clear set of responsibilities and a team manager who guided them.
“The competition was intense, and stepping into it felt like being on ‘Shark Tank.’ The competition was full of excitement and energy, showing how important adaptability and strategic thinking are in high-pressure situations. Winning this championship is an incredible honor and a true reflection of dedication and belief in our product.”
The business plans have to be realistic enough to make a profit. The customers have to be clearly identified, and a product fabricated to meet specific customer needs.
“I really enjoyed this year’s team competition. There were a lot of different aspects that made me become a better student through my preparation and research on our product. I knew there was some tough competition, but deep down, I had a good feeling that our product would be at the top, not just because of the kind of product compared to other groups, but also how focused our team was to perform at our best,” said team member Drew Rose.
Six external judges listened closely to the four presentations and after each team’s presentation, asked about the practicality of the product, how the teams came up with the idea, product competitors, financial projections, and profitability.
The winners of the 61st Business Plan Competition at SUNY Potsdam gathered with the judges afterward. Clockwise, from top left: David Scovil, Junior Oduro, Teddy Morey, Ben Lagoner, Tawaiian Holmes, Dr. Allen Grant, Dr. Max Grube, Ryan Wassmer, Rachelle Rose Cain, NiZara Paul and John Blackwood (Not pictured: winning team member Drew Rose).
“This competition was really challenging. Every person did a great job with their parts in research and presentation,” said the final team member, Teddy Morey. “It feels really good to know the cold calls to real Chinese manufacturers during the semester as part of our research did not go to waste, because it added to the realism of our business plan.”
Guest judges were invited to review the business plan portfolios, product prototypes, PowerPoints and scripts, and evaluated to the team presentations. Those who served on the panel were: Rachelle Rose Caine ’26, a criminal justice major and member of the SUNY Potsdam Bears Women’s Hockey Team; John Blackwood ’26, a business administration major and past winner of the competition; Ryan Wassmer, a business administration major and member of the SUNY Potsdam Bears Men’s Lacrosse Team; NiZara Paul, a returning judge who has traveled extensively to explore different cultures; Dr. Max Grube, the coordinator of internships at SUNY Potsdam’s Lougheed Center for Applied Learning, and Dr. Allen Grant, dean of SUNY Potsdam’s School of Education and Professional Studies.
SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration offers flexible bachelor’s and master’s degrees in competitive fields, and provides students with an understanding of how for-profit and non-profit organizations function efficiently and effectively in the global marketplace. The College offers its undergraduate business administration program both at the Potsdam campus and in Watertown, N.Y., at Jefferson Community College. Its Master of Science program in management is offered 100 percent online, to serve graduate students around the world. For more information, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/BusinessAdmin.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.