Big news for Year 10 portfolio company FoodNerd: the Buffalo-based, woman-owned startup has officially opened its new 30,000 sq. ft., FDA-registered manufacturing facility in Clarence, NY. The state-of-the-art space will allow the company to scale production of its plant-based toddler snacks and create new jobs in Western New York. The ribbon-cutting event brought out strong
Jaxon Stuart of Space Station recently stopped by 43North to share his expertise on what sets standout consumer brands apart — from compelling storytelling to smart retail strategy. As a partner at Space Station, co-founded by creator and entrepreneur Shonduras, Jaxon has backed industry-shaping brands like Graza, Olipop, and 43North portfolio company FoodNerd (Y10). During
Top Seedz (Y7) has been named Best Seed Cracker in the 2025 Good Housekeeping Best Snack Awards. This national recognition highlights the company’s commitment to clean, simple ingredients and crave-worthy flavor. Made from pantry staples like sunflower and pumpkin seeds, Top Seedz crackers have become a favorite among health-conscious snackers. Built in Buffalo and backed
We’re incredibly proud to share that 43North President Colleen E. Heidinger has been selected for the Kauffman Fellows Class of 2025 (KF30) — becoming one of Western New York’s first-ever Kauffman Fellows. The Kauffman Fellows program is a highly respected global network of top-tier venture capital investors, designed to accelerate innovation by developing the next
Circuit Clinical (Y6) has merged with Lightship, bringing together two leading innovators in clinical trial delivery. This strategic move positions the combined company to better serve the evolving needs of sponsors, CROs, healthcare systems, and—most importantly—patients. For founder Dr. Irfan Khan and the Circuit Clinical team, the merger marks a significant step toward building a
FoodNerd (Y10) Mega Puffs are now on shelves in 50 Tops Friendly Markets across New York, including right here in Buffalo. For founder Sharon Cryan, this milestone is deeply personal. She grew up in Buffalo’s Seneca Babcock neighborhood, where her family often relied on food pantries stocked by Tops. Now, her own product is available
From Boston, Brooklyn, and beyond — our Y10 cohort is quickly finding their new home in Buffalo. 43North’s 10th cohort moved into Seneca One last week, ready to grow their businesses and embrace the community. See what these founders have to say (already!) about joining the Buffalo ecosystem. Original Article: Buffalo News 43North startups get
Thank you to our incredible partners, sponsors, board members, and every team member, past and present—your dedication has been invaluable. And to the unsung heroes—those who support us through your work, time, and belief in our mission—thank you. Together, we’ve built something truly special for Buffalo, and we can’t wait to see what the future
What an incredible night! Last evening at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, five groundbreaking startups joined 43North’s portfolio, securing $1M each and a spot in our year 10 accelerator program. These companies will soon be relocating to Buffalo’s iconic Seneca One tower to scale their businesses and contribute to our thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. We couldn’t have done
Written by 43North Founding Board Chairman, Jordan Levy My Buffalo love story is a tale of perseverance. It also speaks of a deep connection to a city with a rich history, unique charm and promising potential. Today, Buffalo is home to some of the world’s most innovative startups. But that transformation wasn’t guaranteed. Once the
Original Article by the Buffalo News The upstate New York “tech hub” between Buffalo and Syracuse will receive $40 million in federal funding in an attempt to make the region home to a reborn American microchip industry. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who authored the legislation creating the federal tech hubs and who pushed hard
Top Seedz (Y7) is gearing up for a major move into its new downtown headquarters, signaling a significant expansion for our favorite cracker and seed company. The 35,000-square-foot space is nearing completion, with the manufacturing area already 90% ready. This strategic move is expected to boost production capacity by 600%, setting the stage for a