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An Accelerator for Seed Stage Startups

43North offers an opportunity to scale your business with funding and an immersive accelerator program like no other.

2024 Applications are closed. Thank you to all of this year’s applicants! Get on the waitlist for 2025.

We received a high volume of interest, and our selection and diligence process is underway. The top five companies (our Y10 cohort) will be selected on Thursday, October 10 at 43North Finals!

43North-Accelerator-Program-Office

$1
MILLION

Investments in 5 companies

5%
EQUITY

In exchange for investment

12
MONTHS

Of programming in Buffalo

EARLY RETURNS

A Decade of Innovation & Proven Success

Since coming on the scene in 2014, our portfolio companies have raised more than $1B. With a unicorn and publicly traded company among our ranks, we’re co-investors with VCs like Bessemer, Iconiq Capital and Rise of the Rest, to name a few.

 

What We Look For

Investing in Seed-Stage Startups

Our startups are often seed-stage companies that have:

  • Established traction with paying customers.
  • Already raised venture capital investment(s).
  • Have three or more full-time team members.
  • Additionally, founders should not only be willing to relocate their company to Buffalo, NY, but should see significant value and opportunity in operating here.
  • Many past winners are graduates of other incubators or accelerators.

However, if you have an incredible company that falls outside this description, we want to know about you.

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Funding, Mentorship and Community

43North portfolio companies receive an investment of $1 million in exchange for 5% equity. Companies are required to relocate to Buffalo, NY, for one year and work out of the 43North HQ, where they’ll receive:

  • One-on-one mentorship with experts in their field
  • Class A office space in the newly renovated Seneca One Tower in Downtown Buffalo
  • Access to customers, vendors, partners and an extensive network of nearly 1,000 investors
  • Recruiting, fundraising, and marketing support from the 43North team

The opportunity to operate tax-free as part of STARTUP-NY

 

THAT'S A WRAP

Our 2024 Application is Closed

Thank you to all of this year’s applicants!

We received a high volume of interest, and our selection and diligence process is underway. Applicants can expect a status update in July. For those who advance, the next step will be a video interview. The top five companies (our Y10 cohort) will be selected on Thursday, October 10.

 

Application & Selection Process

After completing the online application, hundreds of applicants are narrowed down through three highly competitive selection rounds. The first two rounds are virtual. The third round is an in-person pitch on stage as part of 43North Finals.

Five companies are selected to receive a $1 million investment and join 43North’s accelerator in Buffalo, NY, for a year of programming and an unparalleled experience. View the Full Award Agreement and Warrant.

 

Application & Program Timeline

  • May 1 – Online application opened
  • June 7 – Online application closed.
  • July/August – Virtual Video Pitches
  • September – Finalists Annoucement
  • October 7-11 – 43North Finals Week. Selected applicants will be invited to Buffalo, NY, for a weeklong program of mentorship and in-person pitches, culminating in 43 North Finals. There, we select the five companies that will receive investment and join 43North’s next cohort.
  • January 2025 – Selected companies will join 43North’s next cohort in person at the Seneca One tower in Buffalo, NY, for a year-long program.

 

Program Requirements

  • What winners agree to:
    • Provide 43North with 5% equity in your company in the form of a warrant.
    • Agree to locate your CEO and 50% of your staff in Buffalo for at least 12 months.
    • Participate in monthly programming

 

Have Questions? Join Our Upcoming Webinar

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Frequently Asked Questions

There is no cost to apply to 43North.

Each year, we select five startups. Each company will receive a $1 million investment in exchange for 5% equity and a spot in the following year’s accelerator program in Buffalo, NY.

Over the past 9 years, our accelerator program has evolved into so much more than a check for $1M. In addition to receiving investment, winners receive:

  • Free workspace. Our new headquarters is in Seneca One Tower in downtown Buffalo. You will work alongside some of the city’s fastest-growing companies, leading researchers, esteemed business executives and brightest minds.
  • Mentorship. We pair our portfolio companies with experts and other founders specific to their industry. We have a team of mentors ready to help with any general business needs the company has, from marketing and sales to web development, recruiting and manufacturing.
  • Access to our network. The 43North team is incredibly connected in the Buffalo business community, so whether you need introductions to potential customers, manufacturing space, corporate partners, or service providers, we are here to help! We’ve also built up a network of hundreds of VCs and angels from across the country so we can introduce you to potential investors when you’re ready to raise your next round.
  • Recruiting, marketing and fundraising support. We’re here to help you scale in Buffalo, from hiring top talent to building a digital marketing strategy that supports your sales objectives. We have a full-time Director of Talent Strategy on our team, whose sole focus is helping you make great hires and a marketing team that can assist with everything from public relations to video production, graphic design, social media marketing and event planning.
  • The opportunity to operate tax-free. Through the STARTUP-NY program, you and your employees can work free of state income taxes for up to 10 years. Learn more about eligibility for this program here.

Yes! 43North is open to applicants from anywhere in the world, and we’ve had companies from as far away as Nigeria, Israel, and Taiwan receive investment.

No. Founders must be in person for all program requirements, including (but not limited to) welcome week, monthly meetings, fireside chats and more.

Companies selected to join our program are asked to relocate 50% of their staff and their CEO to Buffalo for a minimum of 12 months. Please note that commuting does not count as relocation – you are required to have a residence within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project.

Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

 

 

Have a question you don’t see answered? Please view our entire list of FAQs here. Need something else? Email our team directly: info@43north.org.

Terms & Conditions

View the terms, Full Award Agreement and Warrant.

 

Learn More About 43North
Our Portfolio

Our companies include a unicorn and a publicly traded company among the ranks.

43North Finals

Watch as entrepreneurs battle live on stage for a cut of $5 million.

Who We Are

43North is a startup accelerator that invests $5 million annually into growing Buffalo’s startup ecosystem.