Binghamton’s top entrepreneurs will have the chance to face off for a total of $10,000 in the 2026 Binghamton Business Plan Competition.
To announce the start of the event, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham was joined by local leaders and past winners at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator for a March 5 press conference. In 2026, the competition will award the winner $7,000, with $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third.
The Binghamton Business Plan Competition has been running for more than 15 years, affording its participants not only prizes in the form of funding but also administrative and mentoring support.
Each year, the Binghamton Business Plan Competition is organized and run in collaboration with the Binghamton Local Development Corporation and the SUNY Broome Entrepreneurial Assistance Center.
“This competition builds on Binghamton’s legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation, while bringing together the mentorship, funding pathways and strategic resources needed to turn ideas into successful ventures,” said Kraham.
“It shines a spotlight on the strong, collaborative support network that exists here for local businesses, anchored by organizations like the BLDC, EAC, and the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, and exemplifies what makes our community a great place to launch and grow a business.”
What 2026 Binghamton Business Plan Competition winner will receive
According to Kraham, various past participants of the competition will be lending their services to the winner, with other local businesses participating to ensure winners are set up for success. Winners in 2026 will receive five hours accounting services from Davidson, Fox & Co., $500 in legal counsel from Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP, and $500 in sign creation services from 3i Graphics & Signs.
The winner of the competition will also receive $500 in website services from FreshySites and $500 in branding services courtesy of Idea-Kraft. The winner of the competition will also receive a one-year membership to both the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce and Triple Cities Makerspace, as well as a three-month co-working membership at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator through the Binghamton University Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships.
“It is our main focus every year to cultivate local business development and promote the entrepreneurial spirit that exists here in the valley of opportunity,” said Kraham.
How Binghamton Business Plan Competition impacted 2025 winner
Kraham was joined by 2025’s winner, Ayissi Nyemba, the owner of Emkao Foods. The cocoa company, which imports, manufactures and supplies cocoa ingredients and sources its beans from small farmers in Cameroon, was selected as the 2025 winner for its support of fair trade practices and transparency.
“It really helped us make sure that what we promised will actually be in place,” said Nyemba. “We want to be a part of this community. We want to make sure that this chocolate is enjoyed in our community, and also show the next generation of entrepreneurs that this is feasible, and you do need a community to support your dream and your vision. Without this incredible team, I wouldn’t be here. So apply, do the work and be committed to it.”
Nyemba said winning the BLDC-EAP Competition was “a defining milestone for Emkao Foods” that “gave us the confidence to grow.”
“Today, we are preparing to build a chocolate factory in Binghamton, New York, alongside a crowdfunding campaign to create not just a production space, but a community hub that fosters education, job creation, and deeper connections between farmers and consumers,” Nyemba said.
How to apply to 2026 Binghamton Business Plan Competition
In order to enter the competition, applicants must either have an existing business less than five years old or plan to start a new business. Applicants must also show they can finance and open the business in the City of Binghamton within four months of being declared winner, and commit to keeping the business located in Binghamton for a minimum of three years.
Applications are due by April 1, and applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare ahead of time with business start-up or management training through the SUNY Broome EAC. Companies can also attend an online Business Development Workshop offered through the City Office of Economic Development between March 23-25.
For more information regarding the competition, including how to apply, visit binghamton-ny.gov/government/departments/economic-development/2026-business-plan-competition
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton’s Business Plan Competition returns for 2026. How to apply
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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