Catch up with the latest developments, news and insights from 43North and our portfolio companies.
Vertical: FintechWebsite: www.coverright.comFounder: Richard Chan (LinkedIn) What CoverRight Does We simplify the intricate process of Medicare enrollment. Recent Milestones Secured a partnership with one of the largest grocery chains in the Northeast. What They’re Looking For Introductions to B2B referral partners, particularly financial advisors, credit unions, P&C insurance, grocery chains, and health systems. Help recruiting
Vertical: Food Technology & CPG Website: foodnerdinc.com Founder: Sharon Cryan (LinkedIn) What FoodNerd Does FoodNerd is shaping the future of shelf-stable foods using a proprietary cold-processing technology. By preserving nutrients and flavor without the use of heat, they’re redefining what’s possible in convenient, nutritious food. Recent Milestones Opened a new commercial manufacturing facility with cutting-edge
Vertical: CFO Services Website: www.heronai.com Founder: Daphne Pariser (LinkedIn) What HeronAI Does HeronAI makes it easy for operators and accountants to generate instant dashboards and insights they can share with their teams. No more delays or digging through spreadsheets, HeronAI streamlines financial visibility and turns raw numbers into clarity. Recent Milestones Successfully launched on Product
Vertical: SaaS – AI Website: spiky.ai Founder: Burak Aksar (LinkedIn) What Spiky.ai Does Imagine if the Buffalo Bills didn’t review game film, key plays would get missed, and progress would stall. That’s exactly what happens when companies don’t capture and analyze their customer conversations. Spiky.ai ensures no critical moment is lost by turning those conversations
Vertical: Direct-to-Consumer (CPG) Website: www.rarebird.coffee Founder: Jeffrey Dietrich (LinkedIn) What Rarebird Does Rarebird makes Px Coffee, designed to deliver clean energy and sharp focus without the stress spikes and jitters caused by traditional coffee. It’s functional fuel for high performers. Recent Milestones Launched two new products: instant Px Coffee and a ready-to-drink option Built an
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
We’re excited to announce that 43North is once again partnering with Springboard, a program designed to fuel new energy, ideas, and momentum across Western New York’s startup community. What is Springboard?Springboard is more than just a funding opportunity—it’s a call to action. The program supports ecosystem builders who are designing activities, hosting events, and creating