Binghamton Business Plan Competition Winner Revealed

6/28/2012 (Updated 6:46:43 PM)

(Source: By Kena Vernon)

It's a competition that offers budding businesses thousands of dollars and Thursday Binghamton officials picked a winner.

Some former students from area schools are the creators of Communikey. They have just been named the winners of the Business Plan Competition in Binghamton.

"It's going to allow us to do a lot of things as far as expanding our avenues of promotion here in Binghamton and improving our membership cards and have an even more increased functionality over last year," said Adam Sabol, of CommiKey 

CommuniKey is a program offered only to students.
It connects students with local businesses and offers exclusive coupons. The business has been around for about a year.

Mayor Matt Ryan, along with members of Binghamton Local Development Corporation and Entrepreneurial Assistance Program presented the winners with a $5,000 dollar check.

"We're really dedicated to trying to get our young people to stay here and start businesses  when they graduate and this is a prime example of that," said Mayor Ryan.

In addition the Press and Sun Bulletin will provide a $5,000 value advertising package.

"This could be a very big opportunity for us, outreach in the community. I think just as much as the $5,000 dollars will help us-- the outreach and exposure will be just as much benefit for us," said David Simel, CommuniKey.

The competition is in it's fourth year and attracted 15 entries. The Communikey creators say they will use their money to expand their business immediately.

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