Skip to content

Latitude Episode 85: Founding in Buffalo

Podcast

Kevin Siskar grew up in Western New York, coming from a long line of volunteer firefighters, a service he committed to as well. Kevin wanted to take his skills learned as a fireman and help entrepreneurs. He had his own startup that went through the Founder Institute and he became the unofficial alumni rep of the organization.

Today, Kevin is the Managing Director of the Founder Institute, which is represented in 180 cities across the world and has helped launch 3,500 startups.

And now the Founder Institute is opening up an office in Buffalo. This week on the podcast Kevin talks about the growth of the startup ecosystem in his hometown is a key reason for the Founder Institute coming to Buffalo. Kevin talks about what startups locally can expect from the program and how they can get involved.


Tags: Latitude

More blog posts

FoodNerd (Y10) Opens FDA-Registered Facility in Clarence, NY

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

Space Station’s Jaxon Stuart Shares CPG Insights at 43North

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) Named Best Seed Cracker by Good Housekeeping

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