Hospitality Business Plan Competition

The Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition is an annual entrepreneurship event that begins at the start of the academic year when students form teams and deliver 5-minute pitches for their hospitality business concepts. The competition ends in early spring during Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), when the student teams submit their final business plans and semi-finalist teams present to a judging panel that selects the top three concepts as winners.

Prizes for the top three finishers total over $37,000 (All prizes subject to tax withholdings as required by IRS regulations). The Business Plan Competition is a meaningful learning experience for students interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial venture and whose ideas serve as new independent ventures in the seed, start-up, or early growth stages.

Competition Finals will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Official Rules and Guidelines

 


Congratulations 2024 Winner!

Picture of Jonah Gershon with big check. Also pictured are Dean Kate Walsh, Meli James, Diana Dobin, Tyler Carrico, and Linda Canina.First place: spekld
Team Member: Jonah Gershon ’24

Nolan School BusinessFeed: Hotelie’s Brown Butter Startup Wins Hospitality Business Plan Competition (cornell.edu)


Business Plan Competition Results by Academic Year


BPC

Are you a current student wondering how you can get involved?
Are you seeking information about how you or your company can become a sponsor?
Contact Michelle Mahool at mlc296@cornell.edu.