Timeline - 43North

Over the past decade, our community has sparked innovation, created jobs, and fueled entrepreneurial energy in the city. From hosting 10 startup competitions to supporting Buffalo’s first tech unicorn through its IPO, the collective impact has been both measurable and monumental.

These milestones are not only a reflection of our 10-year journey but also a shared vision for our future. With the unwavering support of our community, sponsors, partners, and New York State, together we have built a thriving startup ecosystem that has put Buffalo on the map. As we move forward, our commitment to acceleration, innovation, and collaboration remains strong, and we look forward to continuing to shape Buffalo’s future through entrepreneurship.

2014

In February 2014, local venture capitalist and 43North Founding Board Chairman Jordan Levy introduced Buffalo to the bold idea that would forever change the city’s startup landscape – the launch of 43North, the largest business plan competition in U.S. history. With a groundbreaking promise to award $5 million annually, we set out to put Buffalo on the map as a hub for high-growth startups.

In our inaugural year, we received thousands of applications from across the globe. From this impressive pool of companies, 11 finalists traveled to Buffalo to compete for life-changing investments. That year, the entire Semi-Finals event took place on stage at Shea’s on the same day as the Finals, with both the audience and finalists sharing the space in an intimate gathering – a stark contrast to today’s Semi-Finals, which happens at Seneca One the day before!

2014 marked more than the launch of a business competition—it sparked a movement that, ten years later, continues to fuel Buffalo’s resurgence and elevate its startup ecosystem.

2015

In 2015, we were in full stride, propelling Buffalo’s startup ecosystem to new heights.

John Gavigan was named Executive Director of 43North, ushering in a year of bold ideas and big moves. We launched the “Think Big” series, sparking inspiration across the entrepreneurial community, while our team hit the road, making 19 stops on a national roadshow to find the best and brightest startups. Our 2015 finalists beat out more than 11,000 registrants from 117 countries, all 50 states, and 9 out of 10 Canadian provinces.

A defining moment of 2015 was our investment in ACV Auctions, a decision that would change the trajectory of Buffalo’s tech scene. ACV, a startup revolutionizing the used car auction industry, would go on to become Buffalo’s first tech unicorn and one of our biggest success stories.

That same year, Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, brought his “Rise of the Rest” tour to Buffalo, marking Buffalo as a non-coastal, innovative city to watch, further cementing the city as a rising hub for innovation. Media outlets like USA Today, Huffington Post, and the New York Times took notice, putting Buffalo’s tech resurgence on
the map.

To cap it off, Gary Vaynerchuk, the renowned entrepreneur and social media personality, joined us on stage at the 43North Finals. His energy fueled the excitement of the competition and inspired the Buffalo community to keep pushing for greatness.

2015 was a pivotal year where the seeds of Buffalo’s tech transformation took root, setting the stage for the incredible change we see today.

2016

In 2016, we continued to shine on the national stage with a memorable visit from Katie Couric as part of her “Cities Rising: Rebuilding America” series on Yahoo! News. Her visit brought widespread attention to 43North and Buffalo’s entrepreneurial growth. Couric highlighted local startups and praised Buffalo’s collaborative efforts to drive innovation and revitalize the city. Her visit marked a turning point, as Buffalo’s startup ecosystem earned national recognition.

In addition to Couric’s spotlight, we and Buffalo continued to capture major media coverage throughout the year. Fast Company, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and Bloomberg all took note of the city’s entrepreneurial momentum, further establishing Buffalo as a rising hub for innovation.

That same year, we welcomed Bill Maggio as Chairman of the Board, guiding us into our next phase of growth.

On the local front, we launched our first-ever Students to Startups Program, connecting high school students with our founders and staff and inspiring the next generation of Buffalo entrepreneurs. This program reminded us that our mission extends far beyond just building startups—we’re cultivating the future leaders of innovation.

2017

In 2017, we welcomed standout portfolio company, Squire, to our Y4 cohort. Squire has skyrocketed, raising over $167 million in funding from top investors like Iconiq, CRV, Trinity Ventures, 645 Ventures, and even Pharrell Williams. Their incredible journey exemplifies the power of Buffalo’s startup ecosystem, and we’re proud to have them as part of our community.

Kicking off the year, we partnered with Uber to launch UberPITCH Buffalo, a one-of-a-kind event where founders pitched their startups to VCs—right in the backseat of an Uber. Cleaning Essentials snagged the $5,000 prize, marking the start of a year full of innovation.

This year also brought the launch of Latitude, our official podcast, featuring dynamic conversations with founders, investors, and thought leaders. This new platform helped amplify Buffalo’s entrepreneurial energy far beyond the city limits.

On October 5, 2017, we brought back the 43North Finals, themed “We Move Forward,” celebrating Buffalo’s relentless drive.

Additionally, The Pitch, a competition focused on WMBE-owned businesses, shone the spotlight on local talent, with Black Monarchy winning big and proving the strength of diverse founders in Western New York.

2018

In 2018, we welcomed new leadership with Eric Reich as Board Chair and the late Alex Gress as President.

Reich, founder and CEO of Campus Labs, brought entrepreneurial expertise, and Gress’ unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in our community guided us into our next growth phase.

That year, we invested in Kickfurther from Boulder, Colorado, which, like us, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Founder and CEO Sean De Clercq and his dedicated team have remained an integral part of the Buffalo community and the 43North floor in the Seneca One tower.

A major highlight of the year was the launch of Ignite Buffalo, a small business grant and mentorship program in partnership with Facebook and M&T Bank. The initiative awarded $1 million to 27 local businesses and offered mentorship, workshops, and resources to help them thrive.

The Ignite Buffalo Finals on July 11th was an emotional event that celebrated sustainable growth and job creation and equipped local entrepreneurs with essential tools.

As we reflect on 2018, we celebrate the inspiring journeys of our startups and the success of small businesses.

2019

2019 marked a pivotal year for us and Buffalo’s startup ecosystem. We welcomed seven dynamic companies into our portfolio, fueling a year of growth, mentorship, and opportunity. We also partnered with Techstars to launch the inaugural Startup Ecosystem Development Program, elevating Buffalo’s startup scene.

Our portfolio companies achieved remarkable milestones—Squire, TARA, and Kangarootime secured Series A funding, CleanFiber raised $5 million, and Immersed Games received a $746K grant from the National Science Foundation. Most notably, ACV Auctions raised $150 million in a Series E round.

Ignite Buffalo continued to empower local businesses from 2018 into 2019, offering free weekly workshops and launching the 8-week Small Business Summer School, open to Buffalo’s entire small business community.

We also expanded our reach when Demo Day in New York City returned. This event brought together over 100 top-tier investors and venture capitalists to connect with our startups and reinforced Buffalo’s reputation as a hub for innovation.

2020

In January 2020, Colleen Heidinger was selected as our fourth president and first female leader, marking a pivotal moment in our organization’s history. Shortly after, we relocated to the newly renovated tech hub at Seneca One, supported
by a $1.5 million grant from Empire State Development. As one of the first tenants in this revitalized building, we were well-positioned to foster collaboration and strengthen Buffalo’s startup ecosystem.

Despite global uncertainty, our portfolio companies thrived, collectively raising over $150 million. Notably, Squire secured nearly $60 million in Series C funding, while SparkCharge garnered a $1 million investment on Shark Tank. Voiceitt raised $10 million in Series A funding and partnered with Amazon to enhance accessibility for users with atypical speech.

Many of our companies adapted to pandemic challenges. Circuit Clinical fast-tracked a COVID-19 saliva test, CleanSlate raised $7 million for hospital and airport sanitization technology, and Immersed Games supported remote learning with 5,000 free STEM game licenses.

Additionally, ACV Auctions expanded by acquiring ASI, Rally merged with OurBus to change the bus industry, and WYL’s Ofo Ezeugwu joined EY’s Entrepreneurs Access Program.

We also played a crucial role in supporting our community, distributing $20 million in CARES Act funding on behalf of Erie County through the Back to Business Grant Program, awarding nearly 1,400 grants in just eight weeks.

2021

In 2021, we at 43North celebrated a year of exceptional milestones and memorable moments. The excitement peaked with the announcement that ACV Auctions, a standout from our Year 2 cohort, went public on March 24, 2021. This monumental achievement was a testament to the vision of Joe Neiman, Dan Magnuszewski, Jack Greco, George Chamoun, and the entire ACV team. Their journey from idea to publicly traded company powerfully reflects our commitment to nurturing groundbreaking ideas and innovations.

Additionally, 2021 was the year we saw Top Seedz, led by Rebecca Brady, take home the $1 million grand prize at our Finals. Top Seedz’s journey began with support from our Ignite Buffalo program in 2018, and by 2021, they had expanded their operations, opened a new facility in Buffalo, and secured major retail partnerships with Wegmans, Kroger, and Whole Foods. Their success underscores the impact of our initiatives and the incredible growth of our portfolio companies.

December 2021 also saw the world premiere of For the Love of Buffalo, an hour-long documentary created in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. This film showcased Buffalo’s entrepreneurial revolution, highlighting the founders, talent, and innovation.

2022

2022 was a transformative year for us at 43North and Buffalo’s startup ecosystem as we raised the stakes even higher. Under the leadership of newly appointed Board Chairman Mike Wisler, we enhanced our investment strategy, committing $1 million to each of the five standout companies in our Y8 cohort, showcasing our dedication to nurturing high-potential startups.

Buffalo’s recognition as one of the top five fastest-growing startup cities by York IE underscored its vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.

Throughout the year, our portfolio companies raised $47.1 million, with notable achievements including Circuit Clinical’s $29 million round and CleanFiber’s $10 million raise.

Co-hosting the first annual Women in Tech Summit attracted record attendance, highlighting our commitment to diverse voices in innovation.

2023

In 2023, we hosted our inaugural Alumni Summit. Over 30 founders from all nine cohorts returned to Buffalo for a weekend of networking, engaging discussions, and the vibrant spirit of the city. The event featured a tour of the newly renovated Buffalo AKG Art Museum and concluded with an exciting Bills game, reinforcing Buffalo’s appeal as a premier destination for startups.

That year, we were honored to welcome back Steve Case, who sat down with Bloomberg’s Romaine Bostick during the 43North Finals to reflect on how far our organization has come since his 2015 visit. Following their fireside chat, we introduced a fresh cohort of innovators, each receiving a $1 million investment and a spot in the Y9 cohort.

Our portfolio companies gained national attention, making headlines in media outlets like The Today Show and Rolling Stone. We engaged with founders and investors across major tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada, strengthening our connections in the startup community.

The biggest milestone of 2023 was the $30 million commitment from Empire State Development, enhancing our mission and supporting innovation across New York State for years to come.

2024

In 2024, 43North proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of innovation in Buffalo. The year-long celebration kicked off with a vibrant birthday event in March and continues with exciting partnerships with local icons like Delaware North and 42 North Brewing.

The organization launched a new website to enhance storytelling and provide essential resources for founders. Its collaboration with Erie 1 BOCES led to the inaugural 43North Students to Startups competition, nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Year 10 application launch at Top Seedz’s new headquarters in downtown Buffalo highlighted the growth of companies like theirs, now available in over 4,000 stores nationwide.

In honor of 716 Day, 43North hosted the Ignite Buffalo Reunion, bringing former winners together to reflect on their journeys and the impact of the 43North program.

Looking ahead, the future of 43North shines brightly. With unwavering support for its startups and deepening community connections, the organization is ready for another decade of fostering innovation and celebrating entrepreneurship in Buffalo while shifting mindsets toward optimism and abundance.

The critical support of the Buffalo community has been instrumental in its success, and the entire 43North team is forever grateful.

None of this would be possible without you!

Celebrating a Decade of Impact