Three students from St. John's University have achieved notable success at the 2025 New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC), securing second place with their business, KnotHastags. The event took place in late April at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Uday Kumar, along with his partners Prasoon Saha and Matthew Siegel, received $2,000 for their presentation of KnotHastags. This online marketplace aims to connect artisans in India with consumers in the United States by marketing ethnic clothing. Uday founded the company, while Matthew is a partner and Prasoon serves as a consultant providing financial guidance.

Earlier this year, KnotHastags also won $750 at Johnny’s Innovation Challenge business development competition sponsored by The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS), the Venture & Innovation Center (VIC), and The School of Education.

The team earned second place in the Software and Services division of the state competition that included 350 student-entrepreneurs from 65 colleges across New York State. They plan to use their prize money to grow their business further and potentially compete in next year's New York University Entrepreneurs Challenge.

“The NYBPC is New York’s premier business plan competition,” said Uday Kumar, who is pursuing an M.B.A. degree at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. “It was an incredible experience to pitch at RPI and to be recognized among the top start-ups in the state.”

“Having the backing of a community that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship has been incredibly motivating,” he added.

KnotHastags identifies artisanal clothing items from South Asian designers for sale through its website and social media channels. It charges designers lower sales commissions compared to platforms like Amazon or Etsy.

“I really want to support the communities in India, as they supported me when I was younger,” Uday said.

The company's mission aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promoting economic opportunity in developing countries over mass production methods.

“We are different because we actually focus on the artisans making the garments,” noted Prasoon Saha, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Tobin’s fast-track master’s program.

Currently, 24 designers from Lucknow and Agra have contracted with KnotHastags, with more considering joining them. Shipments are sent from India by boat before being distributed within the US during peak seasons like Diwali.

Much foundational work was done at VIC where potential companies receive growth strategy support including mentoring on intellectual property protection among others areas necessary for building successful businesses according James Kinsley M.B.A., Director VIC Instructor Management Entrepreneurship Consulting Operations Tobin: "Uday Matthew Prasoon should be congratulated great achievement coming soon after winning prize Johnny's Innovation Challenge February."