Buffalo State student entrepreneur places in New York Business Plan Competition
Jada Ivey, a Buffalo State sophomore fashion merchandising major and owner of sustainable clothing brand XII XXI, placed third in the products and hardware track in this year’s New York Business Plan Competition, an intercollegiate Shark Tank-like competition where students pitch innovative business ideas to judges for monetary prizes. Ivey’s achievement, which came with a $1000 prize, marks the first time a Buffalo State student has placed in the competition since 2020.
More than 340 student teams participated in this year’s competition; the top 10 in each of the competition’s six tracks had the chance to pitch live in front of judges at the state competition in Albany.
“When I first came to Buffalo State University, XII XXI had just gotten started,” Ivey said. “My professors prompted me to the Small Business Development Center, where I was able to meet the get started on my business plan and learn how to run a business.”
“For the past year, Jada has been working on her pitch with the SBDC’s help to refine and polish it in preparation for the competition,” said Olivia Harbol, ’18, SBDC business advisor and Bengal Entrepreneurship Program coordinator. “Jada’s pitch wowed everyone in the room, especially when she handled the tough questions from the judges with ease!”
XII XXI, which officially launched in December 2023, sells handmade upcycled pieces that incorporate recycled fabrics, garments, and denim. Ivey sources pieces from thrift stores and secondhand shops and does all deconstruction, reconstruction, patchwork, and distressing herself. Ivey participated in last year’s competition and advanced to the state round, where she was able to make valuable connections.
Buffalo State’s participation in this competition is made possible by funding from Bank of America, which covered travel and lodging expenses, also supported the hiring of Harbol as BEP coordinator.
“The NY Business Plan Competition is an extremely long and difficult process to take on while juggling classes and work,” Harbol said. “I am proud to support students like Jada who want to go beyond the classroom in their learning here at Buffalo State.”
“I’m very grateful to Buffalo State for the support I’ve received since coming here in 2023,” Ivey said. “Running a full-time business while being fashion stylist and juggling school can be difficult, but I always keep my head high in doing things that make me proud so that I can make it impact in the future.”
Pictured: Olivia Harbol (left) and Jada Ivey
