Porter Comstock ’26 presents PLNT during the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase, where his venture’s drone and machine-learning technology for plant nurseries earned first place.
Whether it’s developing a new venture or helping peers actualize their ideas, everyone involved in the TIA Incubator has seen Porter Comstock ’26 walking around the program at some point this academic year. Recently, Comstock has been flying the banner of his venture PLNT, an innovative solution that uses drone technology to assist plant nurseries in efficiently supervising their land and assets. Despite working on multiple ventures during his four years at Colgate, Comstock has had immense success with PLNT, landing him spots at the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase and in the New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC).
“We use drones and machine learning to help plant nurseries count, track, and manage their inventory in hours as opposed to the several weeks that it currently takes them,” Comstock explained of PLNT’s mission. “Right now, we can count plants with 90% accuracy, and we are continuously training the model to achieve greater than 95% accuracy.”
The senior got his introduction to TIA back in 2022 when he became involved with Raider Rides alongside fellow entrepreneur and former E&I Marketing and Communications Intern McKenna Dalton ’25. [The premise of Raider Rides was to “deliver guaranteed, affordable, and convenient rides for Colgate students, by Colgate students.”] Comstock has also participated in the TIA Incubator as a peer advisor in recent years.
PLNT stands out this year from among a wealth of strong student-led ventures in TIA by Comstock’s passion for PLNT, evidenced by his intent to pursue the venture full-time after graduation. “I love plants. I am a biology major, and I have been studying them for the past four years. This venture combines my love for plants and for building business solutions,” noted Comstock on his passion and motivation behind his startup.
The business has already gained traction with one nursery owner finding PLNT online and adopting its services unprompted. While Comstock has traveled many miles up and down California highways to connect offline with nursery owners, there are some who have found PLNT via the information superhighway.
But it’s not only the farming industry noticing his work. PLNT placed first at the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase — also capturing the PAR Technology Award of $1,000, as selected by the audience, for the product most effective at removing friction from an industry — and he will continue to the state finals in the NYBPC in the next few weeks. Comstock has been working tirelessly to practice his pitch for each competition and appeal to the wide-range of judges that he will encounter. Fortunately, he has been maximizing the opportunities and support that TIA offers to all students in the program. To date, PLNT has received more than $20,000 in grant funding through TIA.
“I meet weekly with Jen Martin, Colgate’s entrepreneur in residence, and Colgate alumni mentors to practice and refine my pitch. Whereas the NYSBPC consists of several rounds, we had just one opportunity to impress the judges during the showcase,” reflected Comstock on the preparation of the competitions.
Having been involved in various ways throughout his four years at Colgate, Comstock is likely one of the most seasoned TIA participants. From personal growth, to mentorship, to funding, the PLNT founder will be graduating with many outcomes from the program and pooling them to make significant change in the world.