Businessman Surprises SUNY Students With $45K for Startups

When Adam Weitsman walked over to economics lecturer James Wilson during SUNY Cortland's Innovation Day in May, nobody expected what came next. The recycling company CEO had just watched six teams of students pitch their startup ideas and wanted to do something special.

Weitsman, who owns the largest privately held scrap metal recycling company on the East Coast, pulled out the judges' scoring cards. He told Wilson he wanted to give $10,000 to the top three teams and $5,000 to the remaining three, totaling $45,000 in unexpected funding.

"They were amazed," Wilson said. "I'm personally amazed."

The students had spent the academic year developing their business concepts through entrepreneurship courses. Their ideas ranged from a self-cleaning fan system to an app that helps people bet on their own goals.

Sophomore Ryan Craig received $10,000 for Next Life Junk Removal, a service that sorts refuse for donation and recycling. Senior Dominic Vinci got the same amount for Rockwood by Vinci, which creates luxury furniture combining wood and stone using 3D modeling and laser cutting.

The Shred Air team, five students creating a dust-removing fan, also received $10,000. Their automated cleaning system tackles a problem most people never think about until their fan blades are coated in grime.

Three other teams each received $5,000. Senior Jayden Lont runs Throwing Shade, a beach rental service he hopes to franchise nationwide. The Scrap Fit team transforms junkyard materials into unique workout equipment. Senior Jonathan Finewood created Motion, an app using behavioral economics to motivate users through financial stakes.

The Ripple Effect

Wilson says this kind of spontaneous generosity rarely happens at student competitions. The funding gives these young entrepreneurs something priceless: real resources to test their ideas in the marketplace instead of just on paper.

Two of the teams have already advanced to state-level competition in the New York Business Plan Competition. With actual capital behind them, they can now invest in materials, technology, and marketing.

The surprise also sends a message beyond SUNY Cortland. When successful business leaders invest in student ideas, they validate the creativity and hard work happening in classrooms across the country.

Wilson watches students transform throughout the semester as their concepts evolve from vague notions to viable business plans. "It becomes part of their identity," he said.

Now six teams have the chance to turn those identities into actual businesses, thanks to one judge who saw potential worth betting on.